Alaska profit huge!

[NWaviator]

Q - Then what model should we have? As long as we lead the way in terms of per hr cost then we will always be under bid. Not trying to call you out but how do you thikn QX should run?

 

[AK737FO]

Watch Flt #67 today. Pair # 1061. With a quick glance at SEA and ANC F/O res today - it looks like #67 is going to be late at best or possibly cancelled.
What's this "pick up only" tag? I would gladly pick up a Premium trip today to drop my straight time trip tomorrow - work the same number of days and get paid more doing it.

 

[Green Banana]

Q - Then what model should we have? As long as we lead the way in terms of per hr cost then we will always be under bid. Not trying to call you out but how do you think QX should run?

I think QX has just reached it's life span as an independent branded carrier. AS keeps it small because it is owned by ALK. If it ever has loads that are too high, the route goes to AS. If it is a light, money looser, QX gets it. QX really cannot grow as an independent brand, and is not worth its cost when compared to hiring a 3rd party contract. With the comments on Brand Confusion, I would bet it will be re-branded as AS Express to help bolster the main line brand. This is the best option for it. Then at least it can operate in other parts of the country, ie Alaska, Hawaii, Cali, without everyone saying "Who is this new Verizon Airlines?"

 

[QCappy]

What's this "pick up only" tag? I would gladly pick up a Premium trip today to drop my straight time trip tomorrow - work the same number of days and get paid more doing it.

If you were to do that, your name would be placed on the "list".:angryfire It is just as bad as picking it up. You are helping them when they are short, and enabling their poor staffing model. Don't stoop to the level of the other greedy people.

 

[QCappy]

Q - Then what model should we have? As long as we lead the way in terms of per hr cost then we will always be under bid. Not trying to call you out but how do you thikn QX should run?

First off, you just identified one of the biggest problems.

Secondly, I think what you will see is more flying out of LAX to other California cities that aren't close to another airline's hub, or are inconvenient to drive to another hub, i.e. STS. Places like SBP, MTY, etc., that would introduce feed to the Alaska, Delta and American networks, and provide a small amount of business point-to-point flying.

You may also see some more intra-Cali flying from SJC and maybe SMF. I think routes like MFR-LAX, that are too long on a Q400 will dissapear and everyone will be fed through SEA, PDX, LAX, and possibly SJC. (I would love to see them put a base in ANC and use the Q400 up there, but the politics won't allow it.) That way all Q400 flights longer than about 1 1/2 hours will dissapear, unless there is absolutely no competition, where a premium price can be commanded.

After the fleet is all Q400, it will be rebranded as Alaska Express, or something, with a little eskimo on the tail. They will then contract out a 3rd party to fly Embrear 175/190s and paint them Alaska Express as well. These jets will have first class and the inflight ammenities will be the same as Alaska. Nothing in either the Horizon nor Alaska pilot contracts prevent them from doing this.

If the costs are then competitive with other regionals, they will bid to third parties for Q400 flying in other parts of the country and will not have to worry about the complaint of Horizon competing against itsself, as they did when doing the Frontier Jet Express flying.

I certainly hope I am wrong, but it seems as if managements statements about changes at Horizon/3rd party flying are showing up more frequently.

I think that about covers it.

 

[Old School 737]

If you were to do that, your name would be placed on the "list".:angryfire It is just as bad as picking it up. You are helping them when they are short, and enabling their poor staffing model. Don't stoop to the level of the other greedy people.

Where can one find "the list"?

 

[Green Banana]

Where can one find "the list"?

#1 - The first rule of THE LIST is, you do not talk about THE LIST. #2 - The second rule of THE LIST is, you DO NOT talk about THE LIST.

 

[jonjuan]

Where can one find "the list"?

It's actually the "list". It's so secret that no one knows who is on it.

 

[QCappy]

Where can one find "the list"?

You can't find the "list". It will find you.

 

[Old School 737]

Watch Flt #67 today. Pair # 1061. With a quick glance at SEA and ANC F/O res today - it looks like #67 is going to be late at best or possibly cancelled.
What's this "pick up only" tag? I would gladly pick up a Premium trip today to drop my straight time trip tomorrow - work the same number of days and get paid more doing it.

ANC Chief Pilot is flying the trip as a FO. Can they do that?

 

[NWaviator]

First off, you just identified one of the biggest problems.

Secondly, I think what you will see is more flying out of LAX to other California cities that aren't close to another airline's hub, or are inconvenient to drive to another hub, i.e. STS. Places like SBP, MTY, etc., that would introduce feed to the Alaska, Delta and American networks, and provide a small amount of business point-to-point flying.

You may also see some more intra-Cali flying from SJC and maybe SMF. I think routes like MFR-LAX, that are too long on a Q400 will dissapear and everyone will be fed through SEA, PDX, LAX, and possibly SJC. (I would love to see them put a base in ANC and use the Q400 up there, but the politics won't allow it.) That way all Q400 flights longer than about 1 1/2 hours will dissapear, unless there is absolutely no competition, where a premium price can be commanded.

After the fleet is all Q400, it will be rebranded as Alaska Express, or something, with a little eskimo on the tail. They will then contract out a 3rd party to fly Embrear 175/190s and paint them Alaska Express as well. These jets will have first class and the inflight ammenities will be the same as Alaska. Nothing in either the Horizon nor Alaska pilot contracts prevent them from doing this.

If the costs are then competitive with other regionals, they will bid to third parties for Q400 flying in other parts of the country and will not have to worry about the complaint of Horizon competing against itsself, as they did when doing the Frontier Jet Express flying.

I certainly hope I am wrong, but it seems as if managements statements about changes at Horizon/3rd party flying are showing up more frequently.

I think that about covers it.


You are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO correct. I hope it doesn't happen but a 3rd party WILL come in some time with 175/190's. Personally, If QX loses all the RJ's and picks up a ton of Q400's. I would trade growth for a jet any day. Honestly, the Alaska on the tail of the Q may look quite nice.

 

[ImbracableCrunk]

ANC Chief Pilot is flying the trip as a FO. Can they do that?

S.E. is taking my job? Thanks, Capt. E.

 

[jhill]

Alaska Air buys 2 more 737s from Boeing
(AP) – 3 hours ago
SEATTLE — Boeing Co. has sold two more 737-800s to Alaska Air Group for $153 million apiece, the companies said Thursday.
Alaska Air, which operates Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, will take delivery of 13 "Next-Generation" 737s over the next several years. The carrier already has 116 737s in its fleet.
More than 125 customers have placed orders for more than 5,400 737s. Unfilled orders exceed 2,000 airplanes, Boeing said.
Boeing shares rose $3.42, or 5.4 percent, to close at $66.60. Alaska Air shares added $1.33, or 2.8 percent, to end at $49.26.

Too bad these are replacement aircraft.

I sincerely hope they did not pay 153,000,000 for EACH of these airplanes.

 

[tico]

What assumptions did you make on your spreadsheet? I multiplied the APC Virgin Captain rate by 5% to include 401(k) match, and the Alaska FO rate by 13.5% to account for B fund contribution and the VA captain barely comes out ahead. I just don't see how a VA career could be worth more. Captain rates at Alaska are much higher, as of now we have been earning decent profit sharing and our vacation maxes out at double that of Virgin's.

I think he based it on the fact that Alaska will not recall those guys until 2013.....better to get in at the beginning of upward movement than to wait 3 years to go back as a new hire to an airline with zero planned growth for the future....I would say run not walk.....no employee is benefiting from huge profits at Alaska

 

[CesnaCaptn]

I think he based it on the fact that Alaska will not recall those guys until 2013

I didn't realize that was a fact. You're totally right.

 

[CesnaCaptn]

S.E. is taking my job? Thanks, Capt. E.

Do you really expect any chief pilot for any airline to let a flight cancel when he can fly the trip and prevent the cancellation? I'm not saying I advocate his actions, I just think he did what any other management pilot would do.

 

[Old School 737]

Do you really expect any chief pilot for any airline to let a flight cancel when he can fly the trip and prevent the cancellation? I'm not saying I advocate his actions, I just think he did what any other management pilot would do.

His duty day was 12:20. Plus how much office time did he log before he got called to fly?????

 

[CesnaCaptn]

His duty day was 12:20. Plus how much office time did he log before he got called to fly?????

I'm guessing he would wave the contractual limits and fly to 16 hours of duty. What time does he normally show up for office duty?

 

[othello]

Did the ALK 737 at the gate (7AM) in MSP have anything to do with staffing? I looked at the schedule. Just the normal 1pm & 6pm flights scheduled today.

 

[QCappy]

Did the ALK 737 at the gate (7AM) in MSP have anything to do with staffing? I looked at the schedule. Just the normal 1pm & 6pm flights scheduled today.

It was a diversion from ORD and the crew timed out.