ACA to go it alone!

[NYRANGERS]

Maybe this was just a gutsy management move.




United, ACA still may reach agreement
Dateline: Wednesday August 06, 2003

Despite Atlantic Coast Airlines' decision to become an independent low-fare carrier and end its participation in the United Express codesharing program (ATWOnline, July 29), United Airlines said ACA still is interested in talking about a new long-term relationship.

"We will meet with them [ACA] soon in an effort to restart these negotiations," a UA official told other executives during an internal meeting last week. United also implied that it is somewhat in control of the Regional's future. "ACA is still under contract with United Airlines and will continue to operate as a United Express partner until we either reach a new agreement or we decide to end the relationship," the official said. "Again, I want to emphasize there is no imminent change here."
United and ACA failed to come to agreement on a new contract after months of negotiating, prompting ACA to make the decision to go it alone as a low-fare carrier. UA has reached new codesharing agreements with SkyWest Airlines, Air Wisconsin, Trans States Airlines and Mesa Air Group to operate as United Express partners.

A company official said the Major's preferred outcome from the dispute is a "mutually beneficial agreement that keeps ACA in place serving United Express customers in Chicago and [Washington] Dulles." But it reaffirmed that it has "alternative plans" that would provide continuity of service should it fail to reach a deal with ACA.--LF

 

[General Lee]

I believe things are "fluid" at the moment. Will the J41's stay? Will the 737 dreams be dashed? We'll see after the commercial break.....

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[climbhappy]

I second House_X's motion....

I met a crew from ACA today and as I walked in the ops area, her beaming smile hit me, and she said Hello....I said, "that's it!" the look that will win customers, the one that Piedmont airlines had in the 70's and the ones that radiate and ooze customer service.

I applaud their decision and do it again here. the model works , low prices are here to stay, and ACA will make it! and it will be the people of ACA from janitor to the top who will decide if they win the game.

 

[DarnNearaJet]

Maybe this was just a gutsy management move.




United, ACA still may reach agreement
Dateline: Wednesday August 06, 2003

Despite Atlantic Coast Airlines' decision to become an independent low-fare carrier and end its participation in the United Express codesharing program (ATWOnline, July 29), United Airlines said ACA still is interested in talking about a new long-term relationship.

.--LF

Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.

 

[46Driver]

It is quite possible that we will keep flying for UAL (and thus keep the J-41's) AND get our 757/737/Airbus. The LCC (under Atlantic Coast - NOT United) is a go and no matter how much you want to deny it, it is going to happen. Nothing that UAL or DAL can do to stop us getting bigger airplanes - and its time to make the jump to the next higher level.

 

[General Lee]

46driver,

If you compete directly with DAL with your new LCC, they will probably drop the other half of you feed--at CVG. Sure, we might have to take on the DO-328J leases, but we will train people fast--and you will furlough many. It is great to have dreams, but remember----there is a contract in place that can be broken.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[AirBoard]

46driver,

If you compete directly with DAL with your new LCC, they will probably drop the other half of you feed--at CVG. Sure, we might have to take on the DO-328J leases, but we will train people fast--and you will furlough many. It is great to have dreams, but remember----there is a contract in place that can be broken.

Bye Bye--General Lee

General, dreams are what drive us. Whether they come to fruition or are squandered in red tape - in ACA's case I believe the facts speak for themselves, it can suceed. I'm not so worried about our 'reliable' 30 DoJets on the DAL side - it represents 15% of revenue. You can have them. And I won't forget to wave to ya from our mighty 737/A320???? Blue Skies ahead.

 

[exphojump]

Fair enough,

Say ACAI brings larger aircraft on property by 5/04 and begins operating them.

DAL can take the aircraft leases if they break the contract. That would be say 6 months to a year to train ASA or Comair pilots and transition the aircraft.

So by 5/05 one of the Delta connection wholly owned carriers will have control of the Do328s. Depending on how many larger narrowbody aircraft we lease their may be no furloughs.

I hope DAL does take the FRJs. With just two fleet types, one hub, and everyone focused on one goal, it gives us a better chance of success.

 

[CRJ puppy]

It is quite possible that we will keep flying for UAL (and thus keep the J-41's) AND get our 757/737/Airbus. The LCC (under Atlantic Coast - NOT United) is a go and no matter how much you want to deny it, it is going to happen. Nothing that UAL or DAL can do to stop us getting bigger airplanes - and its time to make the jump to the next higher level.

Damm! That must be mighty fine kool-aid they serve over there...

Drink up!

 

[KingAirKiddo]

Damm! That must be mighty fine kool-aid they serve over there...

Drink up!

My favorite flavor is cherry

Puppy, weren't you at ACA once upon a time?

 

[46Driver]

CRJpuppy,
Actually, I don't drink kool-aid - and only those flying the CRJ (aka, the Space Shuttle) drink Tang. Me, just some good ole lemonade - and maybe a little moonshine.
Back to the point. The Delta side is not changing. On the UAL side, if United keeps us, fine, we will make gobs of money off of the current contract with our fee for departure. However, the company wants to gain another source of revenue and reduce our dependance on UAL so we are starting the LCC regardless. Dulles is perfect for it and airplanes are cheap now. We also have experience going solo - when UAL's pilots wouldn't let us have jets, we started flying them under our own name. Did it once, can do it again.

General Lee,
Who is your bigger competitor: UAL or ACA? And if ACA is fighting UAL over the Dulles Hub and routes, Delta stands to profit by watching from the sidelines. Something about the enemy of your enemy is your friend.... Odds are, DAL will leave us alone while UAL is the bigger competitor. And if DAL management is not concerned with us flying airplanes larger than 70 seats - IN NO WAY CONNECTED TO DCI - then why are the Delta pilots so adamant our restricting our careers???

 

[General Lee]

46driver,

I am not concerned about trying to limit your career. What I am saying is that Delta might not like more direct competition on the East Coast, and your robust plans seem to indicate that. I think we are happy with your feed in CVG, and all I am saying is that Delta might not appreciate extra competition, and might allow ASA/Comair to grow in your place. I do not want to see you do poorly. I just question what is about to happen and wonder aloud what Delta might do. As far as you are concerned, I hope you upgrade to 737 Capt quickly and enjoy it.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[46Driver]

General,
Points taken. I just think Delta would consider competition from ACA to be of less importance than possibly grabbing some of UAL's routes and market share. Who knows what is going to happen....
As for me, a 737 captain slot??? Right now, I would be happy with a 1 leg commute on ACA instead of a 2 hour drive followed by a 2 leg commute up to Boston.

 

[BlueRidger]

In regards to CMR/ASA taking over the Homer Jets Yes they could be trained quickly but it is the time that it would take to get them on the certificates that would be expensive in addition to the training.

In Regards to additional code shares people have been talking about I believe some of that refers to global alliances and the like. For example ACA could be part of Sky team out of Dulles an therefore not directly compete with Delta while at the same time hurting DAL's real competitor...UAL. Additional code shares could also be developed if ACA does not want to use all 87 CRJ's in the LCC. Replacing Mesa's Frontier Jet Express is on possible way to get cashflow out of a few excess airplanes and support the LCC.

Remember the curse: May you live in interesting times.

 

[acaTerry]

ACA managment will tell the pilots that they will have to accept J31 wages for the 737 or they will all be furloughed.

Um, General....that's Super 31 (J32) rates.....