AirTran seeks to reassure investors it has cash

[D-Bo]

My best friend is a junior UAL pilot possibly looking at a furlough, and many other friends are there also. I have no ill will towards UAL at all, and I really do hope they survive. However, I do think it's true that UAL will be in bankruptcy long before we are. But let's be honest here: go back and read some of your posts and do an honest assessment about whether they sound vindictive towards AirTran. I think it's obvious that they appear quite hostile. Maybe that wasn't your intent, but it sure seemed that way.

If it came out that way that wasn't the intent. You may have seen post from me about F9. I've got a ton of friends there. I live in DEN. I've got no ill will toward any other pilot group. I just get annoyed at the emotional connections a lot of pilots have with their airline. Of course most of us want to see our employer make it. that goes almost without saying. But being in love with our employer does us no good. I knew before I started my first regional job. It was confirmed during the whole C11 at UAL. It's tough to even get your own coworkers to give a sh&t about you when the times get tough.

I stopped trying to find reasons to defend UAL or UALs management a while ago. I see a ton of anti-UAL post on this board. I'd like to respond to them all but sh*t, even though some of the analysis is wrong, I can't defend the clowns that run it.

 

[PCL_128]

Trust me, we aren't "in love" with our airline, and certainly not with our management. We do hope it succeeds, however, and we think we have a pretty damned good product and pilot group.

 

[D-Bo]

However, I do think it's true that UAL will be in bankruptcy long before we are.

Maybe. I don't take that personally though.

 

[PCL_128]

Maybe. I don't take that personally though.

You shouldn't. It's not the fault of the pilots. It's that idiot Tilton and his minions.

 

[D-Bo]

we think we have a pretty damned good product and pilot group.

I never said otherwise. Just realize those aren't variables that guarantee success. If it were all about product and good attitudes no legacy in this country would still be in business.

 

[D-Bo]

You shouldn't. It's not the fault of the pilots. It's that idiot Tilton and his minions.

I'm saying that I don't take it personally for you to have that opinion about C7 for UAL. That's seems to be what has gotten us to this point in our dialog. You took my opinion personally and you responded as such. None of this is personal to me. Except the Yo-nited BS.

 

[PCL_128]

You shouldn't take the Yo-nited thing personally. Nothing was meant by it.

 

[D-Bo]

You shouldn't take the Yo-nited thing personally. Nothing was meant by it.

There is always something meant by it. If not why use the Yo? I guess that is some kind of knock against UAL for having black pilots. Most try to make it seem as if half the pilots at UAL are. For that reason I do take it personally. I have more than one family friend that couldn't get the time of day after flying in Vietnam while UAL paid for others just to get their ratings. Well, they actually got the time of day until UAL found out they were black. If UAL would have treated folks fair from the beginning we would never be in this position. That's a whole thread in it's own though.

Now a lot of folks on this board want to sum up their misconceptions by saying Yo-nited. You may have not meant it like that but there is only one way for me to take it.

 

[PCL_128]

It really wasn't meant that way. I just like the sound of it. I also say Uni-Ted. You should go take a look at my posts on the OBAP thread. I'm on your side on that issue.

 

[airline#5]

PCL 128,

I'm calling BULL$hit on you my white brother!!!!
Nice attempt to save face though. Unfortunatly, I'll never read any thing you write...your g4y little backpeddle renders you unworthy. YOYOYO!!!

 

[PCL_128]

What an idiot.

 

[ron burgundy]

"We have ample balance sheet strength to support our operation" (Robert F.)

GOOD! Look forward to seeing the new TA!

 

[Erndogg]

One thing that AirTran has in its favor is Aircraft orders. Since AirTran purchased their 737s at a great rate, turning around and selling those airplanes will help AirTran raise cash. In the short term while fuel is at an all time high, those airplane orders may be a blessing. AirTran was able to go from $326 million in cash at the end of 2007 to $358 million in cash at the end of the 1st quarter. Now that it looks like the Delta and Northwest merger will happen really soon, AirTran will be able to see how the consolidation dance shakes up and who their potential dance partner may be. The key for all airlines is to hunker down and live to dance another day. Right now AirTran has a way to raise cash, selling new aircraft that they have ordered.

Rumor has it that Hawaiian has bought or is trying to acquire some of AirTrans 717's. Is there anyone out there that has any more info on this??

 

[Lear70]

If you don't understand simple financial figures, then maybe debating the viability of a business isn't up your alley.

Hmmm... you think?

D-Bo, you really need to lighten up.

Evidently you don't see it, but all of us do. That kind of latent hostility isn't healthy.

What I'm trying to say is... you're not coming across in any manner that's positive or helpful, despite what you say about trying to be both. It's not just one person saying that, it's EVERYONE ON THE BOARD.

We can't all be wrong, and you're right...? So just go relax somewhere and let us watch our own house.

Mmmm-kay? Thanks.

 

[c9skytrain]

D-Bo, where is the link? Gotta see a link?

 

[twepilot]

we aren't "in love" with our airline..

Speak for yourself please,

RV

 

[FlyFastLiveSlow]

Rumor has it that Hawaiian has bought or is trying to acquire some of AirTrans 717's. Is there anyone out there that has any more info on this??

Out of KG's mouth: Hawaiian would return to us a "bunch of corroded rust buckets, so as of now, no, not going to happen." Could be a lie, could be the truth. Who knows?

 

[Ty Webb]

Two cents from Ty

There are probably several diffferent plans in the works; industry and market conditions will determine which one gets implemented.

My guess is that in most of those plans, the 717 fleet is not going to be increased . . . if we remain independent, it will likely be replaced with a smaller fleet of EMB195's and outsourced RJ's and Q-400's.

If we merge, they are likely to go be replaced by new 737 deliveries . . . . or not.

The only way I see the 717 fleet increasing is- if we remain independent + a large carrier goes TU + Boeing or a leasing Co makes us a sweetheart of a deal for some 717's that were returned to them.

 

[D-Bo]

D-Bo, where is the link? Gotta see a link?

I don't keep links from 4 years ago handy. I wouldn't make it up though. Like I said, discount it and I won't bring it up.

 

[D-Bo]

We can't all be wrong, and you're right...? So just go relax somewhere and let us watch our own house.

Mmmm-kay? Thanks.

Have at it. Good luck to you guys.

 

[D-Bo]

If you don't understand simple financial figures, then maybe debating the viability of a business isn't up your alley.

I meant to reply to this. I never said I don't understand financial figures. I understand them fully. I try not to get to wrapped around them because they have nothing to do with how I operate an airplane, negotiate a contract, or treat my company. Those are management figures. And many of those figures don't mean a thing. RASM is one of them. Especially in this fuel environment.

 

[FlyFastLiveSlow]

those figures don't mean a thing. RASM is one of them. Especially in this fuel environment.

So if RASM exceeds CASM, it means nothing? That's what you are saying? Really?

 

[D-Bo]

So if RASM exceeds CASM, it means nothing? That's what you are saying? Really?

In an earlier post he pointed out the RASM number only. RASM to CASM ratio is your yield which I said is what matters. RASM in itself doesn't matter. That's what I'm saying. Really. Go back and read it. All you did was repeat what I said earlier. Really.

 

[FlyFastLiveSlow]

In an earlier post he pointed out the RASM number only. RASM to CASM ratio is your yield which I said is what matters. RASM in itself doesn't matter. That's what I'm saying. Really. Go back and read it. All you did was repeat what I said earlier. Really.

So I mis-read, and we agree. Stand-alone, neither figure means anything. You didn't have to be a D-Bag, D-Bo.

 

[D-Bo]

So I mis-read, and we agree. Stand-alone, neither figure means anything. You didn't have to be a D-Bag, D-Bo.

Guess I'm having trouble with my on line mannerisms and with the lack of the tone of my voice and facial expressions everyone here is taking what I'm saying the wrong way.

 

[PCL_128]

In an earlier post he pointed out the RASM number only. RASM to CASM ratio is your yield which I said is what matters. RASM in itself doesn't matter. That's what I'm saying. Really. Go back and read it. All you did was repeat what I said earlier. Really.

I didn't just mention RASM, I also mentioned the non-fuel CASM. Granted, that doesn't give a complete picture without knowing the CASM inclusive of fuel, but it does give some pretty good hints, and that's all we have to go on until the first quarter results are released.

 

[D-Bo]

I didn't just mention RASM, I also mentioned the non-fuel CASM. Granted, that doesn't give a complete picture without knowing the CASM inclusive of fuel, but it does give some pretty good hints, and that's all we have to go on until the first quarter results are released.

You did in a later post. the first one on the matter was this:

Our RASM is up 7% in the first quarter. Advanced bookings through the fall are even higher than last year's record numbers. We're doing just fine, but thanks for your concern.

Post #13. That's the post I was referring to. I agree with the follow up post. Like I said, I try not to focus on the numbers but definitely understand them. Yield, RASM, CASM, ASMS, etc. is all for management to worry about and discuss. I was just replying to your assertion that I didn't know about the technical and fundamental analysis of an airline.

 

[FlyFastLiveSlow]

Guess I'm having trouble with my on line mannerisms and with the lack of the tone of my voice and facial expressions everyone here is taking what I'm saying the wrong way.

No biggie, happens to me all the time. Of course I actually AM an A-hole.