Airtran to make large Boeing order.....

[AFcitrus]

For all of you that didn't listen to the webcast discussion of the announcement this morning there were some things that I caught that I think are noteworthy:

1) The order is for 737 -700's but if the company gives Boeing a 15 month heads-up they can change to an -800 model.

2) 50 firm orders and 50 options. Of the 50 firm, most of the initial planes will be leased from GECAS. The airplanes bought straight from Boeing will be phased in later in the order.

3) AirTran bought the rights to an onboard entertainment system, although I couldn't tell if the initial airplanes will have the system or not.

4) No new base is planned for two years or so, and then it will probably be "east of the Mississippi".

5) Joe Leonard made mention a couple of times about the possibility of using the aircraft on Canada, Mexico and Carribean routes.

6) AirTran will stick with its no food policy and take out the aft galley on the airplanes in order to fit an extra row of seats (6 seats) in the back.

7) We are planning on 25% growth anually over the next several years. I've heard we typically hire about 11 new pilots for each new airplane.


Those are the big things that I caught while listening to the webcast. Looks like I'll finally be able to put that $7000 737 type rating to some good use.

Cheers

 

[~~~^~~~]

Like what? Building more terminals? When? Where? Delta AIN'T (with a Southern drawl) giving up NOTHIN.

General Lee - what are you talking about? How about gates D22 through D27 and the gates in the E18 area? "Delta" by your definition of Delta has given up half a concourse in the last year, as much as Airtran's entire ATL operation. The thing is ASA's growth in ATL is over. Delta had better scale back mainline operations fairly quick, or my guess ASA will eventually abandon gates that cost over $15,000 to sub lease. That is expensive parking for mothballed E120's.

 

[Fly-By-Cable]

Here's the diagram of ATL expansion...it is subject to some changes, but will most likelly end up looking close to that.

http://www.atlmasterplan.com/figure_6_1.htm

And here's the time table for the project

http://www.atlanta-airport.com/defa...rport.com/sublevels/airport_info/timeline.htm

 

[FLB717]

General some times you have good info, other times I swear your (Southern drawl) "Smokin Crack" I dont know how you see things the way you do? The new terminal is to go between 9L and the new runway. By the way at the press release of the 737 both the Mayor and Airport manger made pledge to support AirTrans growth in ATL with MORE gates. Get the full story before you tell me how greta DAL is and etc... Ok, now you can tell me Im wrong , full of it etc. Good flying.

 

[crashpad]

Just looking at some stock trends, it appears Air Trans' will be worth more than Deltas by the end of the month.

 

[General Lee]

Fins and FLB717,

Sorry, I was away on a 2 day trip. I was talking short-term for the lack of gate space. I knew they were building a new runway and heard something about a new terminal near the cargo ramp, which I guess is the new South Terminal. I wonder how long it will take to build that? Probably 3-4 years, but Airtran isn't getting the new airplanes for awhile either. Good for them.

Fins,

As far as the new gates they have in the D- Concourse, I knew they had some RJ's parked at the south end, but I didn't know they had anymore. Regardless, they will have some trouble expanding quickly at ATL until they get that new terminal. But, as others have stated, they may find some other bases.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[FLB717]

general.

Wow man flying makes you happy, good to see you back.. thought it might get dull without you.

 

[General Lee]

FLB717,

Hey, I love aviation. I like trying to keep things interesting, but I never try to slam anyone, well--except for that Comair Mec chair.....but that is another story.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[Ty Webb]

Yes, but what have the gods done with FlyDeltaJets?

He seems to have fallen off the face of the Earth. . . . . . . maybe he's in our 6/26 Indoc? Heh-heh!

 

[General Lee]

Ty,

Maybe he is. I think the key here is to get a good job with a good airline. Airtran is one of them. But, I think most Delta furloughs will hold out for Delta again, and hopefully it won't be too long until they return. Dalpa is working on the 250 "War Emergency" furloughs right now in a grievance, and we all know that the war is over and the loads are coming back. Hopefully the economy continues to rebound and the airlines continue to fill seats. The oil prices will eventually come down again when the Iraqi oil production gets underway fully. See, I am full of optimism. (When I am not I am crying nonstop)

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[FLB717]

General
Im bettin that the CMR MEC has little good to say about DALPA. On a different note we have a lot old ex USA, AMR/TWA Piedmont and SCA people in our last new hire class, seems none of the (1 of 15 does) new hires have anything good to say about ALPA. You may have adifferent view, why do you think that is, whats your thoughts on the unlove of ALPA?

 

[Ty Webb]

General:

I hope FDJ is back on the Widget property very soon, too. The sooner all this crap is over the better for all of us.

Besides, he must be having problems adjusting over here . . . I heard they caught him trying to sew an extra button on his AirTran jacket to make it double-breasted, and then he got in trouble for taxiing soooooo slowly that even the Delta guys were complaining . . . .

 

[General Lee]

Ty and FLB717,

You guys crack me up. By the way, I am glad that Airtran is doing well and that you guys will be flying the 737NG--I flew the 737-800 for 1 year and liked it. (But, the thing had no EICAS--like the 757, and only had the recall buttons--showing where on the upper panel there was a caution light etc.) From what I hear from my Alaska buddies, the 737-700 is a little squirly to land, but overall is nice to fly. I thought the 737-800 was nice overall, but had some teething problems initially that have probably been cleared up by now---the 300 kt restriction with the speed brake and the deicing 280kt restriction etc. I am sure all of that stuff will be worked out by the time you get them, and the winglets will look cool.

FLB717,

Yeah, a lot of people dislike ALPA. They have a reputation for mainly helping the senior pilots, and screwing the junior ones. But, I think that is changing, since the junior ones will be the majority soon, and they don't want to be kicked out in favor of the Teamsters etc. The Comair MEC and it's chairman probably dislike Dalpa greatly, and I can see why. But, what do you expect the Delta pilots to do? We need to protect ourselves, and i know the Comair pilots also need to protect themselves. But, we are more of a money producer for ALPA, and we probably have the upper hand. If the Comair people know that, then why don't they find some other representation? It will not change if $$$$ is involved, and ALPA is a business. I am not trying to slam them, just trying to state what I see.

Ty,

I think those double breasted uniforms look sharp. Everytime I wear one I think I'm going to get shipped off on the nearest battleship or aircraft carrier.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[FlyDeltasJets]

Ty,

You said you were leaving, and I figured, "heck, these boards just won't be any fun anymore! I'm outta here too."

Then, just out of curiousity, I look back, and here you are!


Actually, the truth is that I have wasted wayyyy too much time on these stupid boards. They are addictive, aren't they?

I've decided to cut way back on my posts.

What's that? I couldn't hear you over the applause!


I'll be checking in, but life was what was happening while I was arguing with all you clowns. I don't want to miss it. I was doing just that.

Be talking with ya....just a little less often.

 

[Ty Webb]

That's a big 10-4, there, Rubber Duck. I got to the same point, too.

Here's wishing you much luck and success in the interim, until you are back up front, where you belong.

I hope you are still able to "commit acts of aviation" in the meantime. I still keep up with my corporate jet contacts; if you are somewhere in the country where I could help keep you keep burning that Jet-A until that phone call comes, please PM me and let me know- I would be very happy if I could help make that happen.

Regards,

DM