Airtran Airways Mdw Expansion Jan '05

[General Lee]

FLB,


Remember, he is an "ANAL CYST."


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[FLB717]

Tru Dat Big G-Man

 

[lowecur]

Lowecur,
You have no idea how my airline is run, how we use gates, what gates we can and can not use, so bugger your uninformed over analized opinon, sir.

No need to be so formal; and you do? Even the MDW web page says nothing about any proprietary gates for AirTran. Like I've been saying all along, the ATA gates are going to be split between two or three carriers. It just so happens that the City has given you a green light to schedule earlier than any other carriers due to that master negotiator, Bob Fornaro. Here's the present gate lineup, if you'd care to dispute it, be my guest genius:

Midway Airport gates

Southwest Airlines: 19

ATA Airlines: 14

Continental Airlines: 3

Northwest Airlines: 2

Other carriers share: 5

 

[BuckO]

MOHRMJR,
Well said.

BuckO

 

[FLB717]

Lowecur,
Yes, I do. In additionI have no dispute with your ability to read a webpage. I have a problem with you all knowing point of views that are based on as much YOUR beliefs and less on facts of how my or anothers airline is run. You have know idea how we use any gate at any airport. We use one gate (a city gate) in MDW wih the ability for a fee to use one other ATA gate as needed. We operate a max of 11 or 12 flight a day per gate. So do not tell me how my airline is run. Secondly I would ask you to respect or at least refrane from bashing on Bob F. He knows more on how to run an airline in his sleep that you could learn all year with Herb K. trying to feed you on a spoon your views. Provided he would even waste his time.

 

[cl65capt]

It just so happens that the City has given you a green light to schedule earlier than any other carriers due to that master negotiator, Bob Fornacate:


Its spelled Fornaro you A-hole, how about showing a little respect!

 

[lowecur]

Its spelled Fornaro you A-hole, how about showing a little respect!

You guys are right. I don't even know Bob, and I'm sure he is a standup guy. My apologies.

 

[habubuaza]

I also don't put too much weight in what many analysts say however here is what I believe. I believe that Airtran is going to be in a very precarious situation because of some very important reasons. Again this is just one mans opinion. First and foremost Airtran is going to be in competition with Southwest in Chicago. That can not be underestimated. Southwest is very capable of putting tremendous pressure on Airtran and I dare to say can run them out of any market of their choosing. Southwest is that good. They can put increased pressure on them out of BWI if they choose to force Airtran to divert resources and attention away from Chicago or in addition to Chicago. Delta looks like they are starting to get themselves on better financial footing, albeit not out of the woods yet but certainly in a better position to compete with Airtran out of Atlanta. Jetblue, Southwest, Song and UsAir (yes UsAir) will keep Airtran at bay on the east coast. Any Midwest expansion will be tempered by Southwest's dominance. Expansion to the west will be fierce with America West, Ted, and even Frontier. Airtran has also expanded as a hub and spoke carrier. A model that has some troubling characteristics and they are increasing their operations based on a hub and spoke system. No need to go into that we all know the vulnerabilities involved. Airtran is also in a mode of expansion and along with it comes a massive increase in debt. This could be a recipe for some serious issues in the coming years. Good luck to all.

 

[FLB717]

Lowecur,
Grow up.

 

[FarginDooshbahg]

Its spelled Fornaro you A-hole, how about showing a little respect!

He only shows "respect" to those who grease his a-hole with some Embraer lube. What a tool.

 

[lowecur]

Lowecur,
Grow up.

By the way, it's not your airline....you just work there.

I will say that this is not good news for AWA. By allowing you to use the ATA gate, this pretty much says that you will either get the gates, or those gates will be split. It also disposes of the notion that the AAI offer is "all or nothing."

There is a teleconference over at Fitch Ratings that I plan to listen to. They will be talking about the Bond Ratings at MDW, and what affect the ATA pullout will have. Hopefully, they may have some inside information that I can pass along.

 

[lowecur]

I also don't put too much weight in what many analysts say however here is what I believe. I believe that Airtran is going to be in a very precarious situation because of some very important reasons.

I'm not buying your logic. First of all SWA is going to have it's hands full with PHL if UAIR doesn't liquidate, and MDW if they don't get any extra gates. Add the problems they are having with the Wright amendment, and that will leave them with only DFW to expand in Dallas.

 

[Ty Webb]

I believe that Airtran is going to be in a very precarious situation because of some very important reasons.

I think what you really mean is that you hope AirTran will be in a precarious position.

First and foremost Airtran is going to be in competition with Southwest in Chicago. That can not be underestimated.

.

No, but it sure can be overestimated and hyped, which is pretty much what your post is about. SWA is under the same pressures the rest of us are. Were it not for the fuel hedging, they would be hard pressed to make a profit last quarter, too. The last thing they need to do is start a fare war at MDW while fighting USAirways in PHL, and fighting the DAL v. DFW situation. We get along just fine at BWI and PHL, and I don;t see any reason it won't work at MDW, too.

Southwest is very capable of putting tremendous pressure on Airtran and I dare to say can run them out of any market of their choosing.
Southwest is that good. They can put increased pressure on them out of BWI if they choose to force Airtran to divert resources and attention away from Chicago or in addition to Chicago.

Sure, they can put pressure on us, but I don't think that they are going to make as big a deal of it as you do. See the above. How many balls do you think they want to keep in the air? Smart competitors pick and choose their battles, and SWA is a smart competitor. Delta, on the other hand, has not been. They have eroded their cash position form $6 Bil to $1 Bil trying to hold on to "market share" in markets they can't profitably serve. I have been pointing that out for three years now. I also predicted that it would be Mullin's undoing . . . and it was.

Delta looks like they are starting to get themselves on better financial footing, albeit not out of the woods yet but certainly in a better position to compete with Airtran out of Atlanta. [?QUOTE]

See the above. Delta can continue to lose money fighting us for the low-fare customer, or focus their efforts on making money. Right now, I would say that they had better focus on making money where they can, or they will go Chap. 11. That should be obvious.

Jetblue, Southwest, Song and UsAir (yes UsAir) will keep Airtran at bay on the east coast. Any Midwest expansion will be tempered by Southwest's dominance. Expansion to the west will be fierce with America West, Ted, and even Frontier.

This is just silly. You could substitute any carrier's name here.

Airtran has also expanded as a hub and spoke carrier. A model that has some troubling characteristics and they are increasing their operations based on a hub and spoke system.

Your last statement reveals how little knowlege you have about AirTran. Actually, we have been reducing the hub-and-spoke structure. In the past three years, we have increased the number of flights by nearly 50%, yet Atlanta has grown by only about 28%. More and more directs are added each month.

Don;t worry about us. Profitable in 9 out of the past 10 quarters during some of the toughest years in the industry . . . . I think we'll do just fine, and as for that competition from USAirways, please . . . if you are thinking of making it as an analyst in this industry, my advice is don't quit your day job.

 

[FLB717]

Lowecur,
Yes it is MY AIRLINE. Not only do I own stock in the company, but I take ownership in how I run my aircraft. I fly trips as safe as skill and planning will allow, and do what ever I can to save fuel, help passengers etc, because the job I help to save may be my own. Just like most pilots in MY company and those who try every day to help keep thiers alive.

The more you post on this board the more cocky and extreame your views become, but thats just my view. I guess I'm cocky too, hey that rhymes.

 

[lowecur]

Lowecur,
Yes it is MY AIRLINE. Not only do I own stock in the company, but I take ownership in how I run my aircraft. I also own stock in AAI, and I don't consider it my airline. When I fly to ROC, I try to be pleasant to all the crew members and fellow pax, not because I consider myself an owner, but because it's the right thing to do.

.....

 

[FLB717]

Les..., I mean Lowecur,
Not only have you missed the point, I see talking with you is like wrestling with a pig in the mud, after a while you realize the pig likes it. Have a good day.

 

[lowecur]

Les..., I mean Lowecur,
Not only have you missed the point, I see talking with you is like wrestling with a pig in the mud, after a while you realize the pig likes it. Have a good day.

It takes two to wrestle in the mud. Did you know even a broken clock is right twice a day? Another Euphemism from another genius at AirTran.

 

[habubuaza]

"I think what you really mean is that you hope AirTran will be in a precarious position."

.


"Your last statement reveals how little knowlege you have about AirTran. Actually, we have been reducing the hub-and-spoke structure. In the past three years, we have increased the number of flights by nearly 50%, yet Atlanta has grown by only about 28%. More and more directs are added each month."

"if you are thinking of making it as an analyst in this industry, my advice is don't quit your day job."

OK handsome, never said I was an analyst. I specified it was one man's opinion. So if it makes you feel good to make attacks personal go right ahead. I don't have any problems with Airtran I have a few friends there. I just feel, and have always felt that they have certain vulnerabilities specific to THEM.

 

[Ty Webb]

It takes two to wrestle in the mud. Did you know even a broken clock is right twice a day? Another Euphemism from another genius at AirTran.

Well, at least this genius had the testicular fortitude to identify a goal, pursue it, stick to it, accomplish it, and enjoy it, instead of becoming a "wannabe" who hangs out on a website dedicated to pilots, spending his time trying to annoy those who accomplished what he hasn't.

 

[lowecur]

Well, at least this genius had the testicular fortitude to identify a goal, pursue it, stick to it, accomplish it, and enjoy it, instead of becoming a "wannabe" who hangs out on a website dedicated to pilots, spending his time trying to annoy those who accomplished what he hasn't.

Oooo, low blow, Ty. I used to like you.

For your information, I did all that I set out to do in life and I've accomplished much more. I never wanted to be in the "airline business," it just happens to be one of my many luvs in life. So as a sidelight, I offer my amateur analcyst prognostications for perusal for those who wish to peruse.

Incidently, from what little I have talked with you, that is an absolute miracle.