a MAJOR announcement @ SkyWest

[Two-9-9-TwoSet]

"MAJOR"...no pun intended.....

from a very reliable source that there will be some really "interesting" and "major" annoucement to take place in the very near future concerning "bigger planes"

the "BIG" rumour is it will be an initial order for the 717.

2992Set...

really wish I didn't quit for a corporate position years ago.

 

[Redeyes]

I have heard everything from SkyWest will be losing all of its E-120 flying to starting 737 service. The truth probably lies somewhere in between!!

 

[CF34-3B1]

Unless something huge is going to happen with UAL I doubt it would be anything larger than a 70 seat RJ.

Wouldn't that spell the end of the DCI side of SkyWest flying? (See: Permited types)

 

[murfdawg998]

don't worry, hopefully Andy will be here soon to clarify!

 

[Rogue5]

Airline wrestling match

Rumors I have heard floating around the last few weeks:

- Codeshare with:
a) JetBlue
b) Continental (all their old EMB-120 routes)
c) some other unnamed Major

- 25 70 seat CRJs as soon as the pilots assoc hammers out a payscale for the 90 - 130 planes

- 717 or 737s and us going it alone (w/o UAL/DAL)

If I were a betting man, I'd put money on the CRJ's until the other shoe drops with UAL, but we've been hearing about a "big announcement" thats supposed to come from Jerry for the past couple of weeks...

As Andy said, It's a great place to watch all the action from.

I'll continue to eat popcorn with my feet up on the hotel room table and watch the news.

 

[SnowBoardBum]

Hate to be a pessimist but I look at it like a carrot in front of the horses mouth. Ill believe it when I see it.

Bum

 

[General Lee]

I would expect Skywest to be safe on the Delta side for awhile, until Comair and ASA get enough RJ's to replace them. (Remember, Delta only has to give Skywest a 6 month advance in dicontinuing operations) But, I believe that Skywest offers a great product and that that senario may not happen for awhile. The United side is a little more troubling. I also think United thinks that the Skywest product is great, but maybe a little too expensive. Someone like Mesa or Chit-talk might come in and underbid them. That is why I believe Skywest is looking at bigger equipment. If United does fold, which is a distinct possibility, especially since fuel prices are sky high and United cannot hedge fuel, Skywest might need 717's etc to fill in some of United's old routes---like LAX-SFO shuttle etc. There are plenty of routes they could fill, and the faster the better for them. But, they will not compete directly with Delta, or they will lose their lucrative contract. I think Skywest is well run and will survive--as long as they don't step on too many toes and still is able to find those profitable routes if United tumbles.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Splert]

Skyw(e)’s CEO has said that the company is over capitalized for its size and that the company will have to return some of the $600-700 million of cash and equivalents to stockholders as dividends, or they will use the money for to leverage larger jet purchases.

I think that the jets are cheaper by the dozen.

Maybe it’s a carrot for the employees to accept the cost cuts going on at Skyw(e) or because Skyw(e) UAL and DAL growth ends at the end of ’03 they are really looking at the future.

Without new growth Skyw(e) maybe in the $4.00 range by May ’03.

DALPA may sue DAL but who in this environment is going to listen to them?

Congress?

The President?

Not boasting, but really, what can DALPA do about it post NWA and Continental? DALPA can sue, but anyone can sue, doesn’t mean you are going to win. If DAL cancels Skyw(e) contract DAL gets Skyw(e)’s jets and their payments.

Interesting times, No?

 

[Russ]

Gen. Lee
While what you say is factually true, the end game I believe is not. D has a long memory of what happened to Cincy

 

[checkessential]

Who gives a **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** about anyone's toes? Not I. Everyone for himself, and if it involves bruising egos or exremities, who really gives a **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**.

 

[hotwing]

scared -- interviewing

Thanks for al l the info that you all have posted. I will be interviewing this month and, I am scared as to what is going to happen over there. How much growth are we going to see at SKYWEST? Does it have the chance of becoming an ACA -- where, all the hiring is stopped over night and the people in the pool are all just wondering what is going on? I understand that ACA is now going to use the J41 people for the new jet deliveries and not put the new hires into training. It is all bothersome and I am very glad to have an interview with SWYWEST. I would just like to know what is going on out there and gather some info from you guys that are on the line and that are in the know. I can't wait to interview and see what happens, but I am scared to death as well. Any ideas or thoughts?


waiting to interview in FEB...

 

[Midnight Mike]

Well hell, if the company has so much money to burn, maybe they can pay the crews while they are in training?!

If the 717 rumor is true, coupled with the Airtran wish for further 717's and Long Beach could be in for a shock as the 717 production line will have to shake the rust off and start pumping out the airplanes....

717 is a much better aircraft for the short haul market than the 737 is.

 

[hawkowl88]

DAL replacing SKYWE at SLC

It would be cost prohibitive for Delta to replace Skywest at SLC. Main reason being we own our gates and do not lease them from Delta. You can park 'em at the mainline gates, but then you have to reduce the mainline flights. Also the airport authority has proposed an expansion to accomodate even more rj's (717's?) and asked Delta to pony up some financing, yet they declined.

According to the pamphlet put out by Delta Mgmt. (picked it up in DFW a few months back) I think it is more likely that they will use the 70 seat rj's of Comair/ASA to replace main line flights out east. Much better yields than the paltry western markets. Delta has been scaling back ops out west ever since they bought Western. Add to that the almost inevitable demise of United (at least in any recognizable form), and there would be a tremendous void in air travel west of the Rockies.

Our CEO has always, always, said he sees no point in a 70 seat plane when you can get a 90-100 seat for virtually the same operating cost. Also, the CFO is virtually foaming at the mouth to get bigger planes and mix it up with the big boys. However, the board of directors is very conservative and usually only makes a bold move when cornered.

Eating my popcorn, glued to my seat and watchin' the show.

 

[skyboat]

Does Skywest have a reservations system?

 

[Russ]

No, and there in lies the problem. Nothing money can't take care of though. I should imagine that along with all the other stand alone requirements are being addressed at world headquarters in SGU. Or I should say I hope they are. No desire to see UA go under, but the prudent thing to do is hope for the best and plan for the worst. Striking out on our own scares me. Would much rather see us grow with UA as a partner. I seem to be in the minority, many are excited at the prospects.

 

[JBcrjca]

There are so many rumors floating around recently that it's hard to keep them all straight. For now all we can do is hope that United gets their ducks in a row, Delta keeps us in the DCI family, and that SGU is planning for the worst. I'm not gonna get too worried about 70-130 seaters until I see it parked on the ramp broken. Then I'll believe the rumors.

 

[General Lee]

Hawkowl88,

Well, those 70 seat RJ's currently have big problems with their center fuel tanks. Apparently there is an AD out for them, and that restricts the amount of fuel to be put in them, which limit's their range greatly. Delta wants them to fly from DCA-DFW etc, and they can't make it in the headwinds. OOOPS. And I read on another forum that it will take a long time to fix them all. That really is a debacle. And, ASA and Comair are running out of gate space--especially in ATL. The CVG terminal is full also, so they have to go somewhere. I am sure the B-concourse can house some RJ's, and there might be more space available if UAL doesn't make it. I think Skywest would sell a lot of the gates in Salt Lake City if you had no Delta feed. You could try to compete---with ASA/Comair and Delta, but might lose. Now, I think you have a great product and don't think it would happen any time soon, but look at the facts. Delta left you with a 6 month severance notice possibility---and ASA/Comair are getting tons of RJ's. They are running out of space in ATL and CVG. And remember---DCI can only legally fly 43% of our flying. IF they try to shrink mainline, they will shrink the % of DCI flying also. I think it is smart that Skywest gets 717's. If UAL does bite the dust, Skywest will be there to pick up the passengers. I do not think that Skywest will ever go away---they have a better chance at becoming bigger. But, the Delta side of the equation is questionable.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[House_X]

Well, I'm still waiting for Skywest to support us here at ACA on what United has in store for United Express carriers...if we aren't getting paid, you can bet Skywest isn't far behind...I hope to see all United Express carriers "United" (no pun intended) on this issue.

Also, if Delta is so pleased with Skywest, then why do I see multitudes of Comair deadheads headed into SLC? It's only a matter of time before Delta's division all the bases is complete.

As for Hotwing's comment about ACA, our payscale and work rules speak for itself.

1. commuter clause included in contract
2. no junior manning
3. see #2
4. training pay
5. 2nd year F/O pay approx. $35/hr

Currently, both Skywest and ACA are very good companies to work for...hopefully the United situation will stabilize and both our organizations will benefit.

House

 

[hotwing]

to interview or not to interview?

Well -- okay, with all this news and uncertain prospects, should one take the chance right now?

 

[inthepool]

Hell yes take the chance. Suppose you get hired, UAL pulls through, and SKW puts on a bigger type. All of a sudden you're at one of the strongest regionals in the country with a possible chance to fly bigger iron. Worse comes to worst by the time you end up furloughed the war will be over, the economy will likely turn up, and there will be other oppurtunities. Don't pass up what might be the oppurtunity of a lifetime.

 

[Rvrrat]

reaching critical mass.

Anyone interested in taking odds that SKYW will go it on their own?

 

[Splert]

Odds are they will not go 100% at-risk.


Me thinks...

 

[TankerPuke]

I too will believe it when I see it, but I also heard from someone whose brother (whose cousin whose sisters friend whose dogs master) works for GE Finance that SkyWest is CURRENTLY negotiating (spl?) for the 717 to do our own AT RISK flying. Things are happening...glad an thankful to be where I am.

PUKE

 

[Russ]

Gen Lee
I don't mean this to be mean spirited, but alot of those RJ's you a mentioned are to replace Delta, to supplement Delta on routes and to open new ones to smaller cities. In short they will continue to do what they have been doing for awhile now. I don't get a warm and fuzzy from it, but its whats happening. The number of connection carriers is growing, not shrinking. The day we(SkyWest) flew our first flight into DFW it was a given that the other connection carriers would be coming to SLC. Its memories of a hub shutdown that is powering the intergration. To view it as otherwise in this atmosphere is wishful thinking by others.

 

[brew3departure]

Shaking the rust off of the LGB 717

Hello all,

To the person who mentioned Long Beach receiving a sharp increase in 717 orders -- the line is moving, albeit slowly, thanks to Midwest Ex...pardon me...Midwest Airlines order for 25 717's - first due to arrive in March.

It was my understanding that Boeing sweetened the deal a little bit with MidEx because they were up against closing the entire production line down in the midst of TWA and anyone else who had orders deferring them soon after the 11th.

The AirTran order will definitely inject more life into the whole operation than ours...sigh. Ah, well. Just thought I'd mention that.

Take care,
-brew3

 

[Midnight Mike]

The Long Beach 717 production line is moving at a dismal "1" airplane per month, that is a snails pace, they are probably only working "1" or "2" shifts.

Boeing actually wanted to shut the plant down, Midwest kept the line open, with the threat of "No 717, we want Airbus"

So yes, if the Skywest rumor were too come true, they actually may pump out "2" airplanes a month....

 

[fr8doggydog]

And I thought it was the Alaska acquisition announcement...

 

[Singlecoil]

And I thought it was the Alaska acquisition announcement...

That's right, the Alaska Board of Director's meeting is this week, what a coincidence. Look for Skywest to buy out Alaska and staple all the Horizon and Alaska pilots to the bottom of the list.

 

[CFI'er]

Sky West And Boeing's Web Site

If you look at the Boeing’s web site, under Commercial Aircraft, the orders for the B-717 is at zero. Look at the listings for airlines, Sky West is not found. What is the holding company that holds the leases on SkyWest airplanes?

 

[Midnight Mike]

Still waiting for the major announcement!