Any news at F9?

[schmooze]

Sorry you haven't received a response yet - maybe because there's really nothing new to report, although several things in the works. Most of the F9 guys don't hang out on this board, largely because of the dysfunctional nature of most the "know-it-all" posters.

That said:
- New CEO - we have yet to see much in order to see if he's going to make much of a difference, although our stock continues to climb
- A320's coming in February, on schedule
- Lynx is sucking the company dry, largely because of the fact that the FAA is on a little bit of a vendetta, and is delaying the certification process. Not much Lynx can do other than what they've already done (including contacting the Administrator herself)
- F9 continues to hire roughly ten per month, largely because of apparent expansion and new aircraft
- Life is good in Denver - rumor has it that we're going to open another "focus city" which could turn into a full-blown domicile

That's about all I can think of! Still a good company to work for, just chuggin' along, doin' our thing without trying to spend too much energy disspelling Southwest's claim that they're "kickin' ass and takin' names" in Denver. The facts speak more loudly than the SWA Koolaid.

Jetalc,

Any word on what that focus city might be?

 

[climb2slow]

My guess and the guess of many others is Memphis. But the rumors range from kansas city to st. louis to somewhere in florida.

 

[maxblast72]

Quoted from jetalc

"So, what have you seen? On routes we "share" with SWA, I've seen higher ticket prices on F9, with full flights. Usually, that tends to equate to more revenue, not a butt-kicking, as some of my friends at SWA lovingly refer to."




Just an outsider, but if you got higher ticket prices and full airplanes, how are you guys losing 20 mill a year?

 

[climb2slow]

well...let me see if i can recap what our old ceo used to say when asked this same question. It went something like.."operating out of denver is a bitch...very expensive, Competing with United is a bitch, Southwest is a bitch...., and of course Fuel is a bitch." Hopefully we can get some better leadership with the new gent at the helm.

 

[jetalc]

well...let me see if i can recap what our old ceo used to say when asked this same question. It went something like.."operating out of denver is a bitch...very expensive, Competing with United is a bitch, Southwest is a bitch...., and of course Fuel is a bitch." Hopefully we can get some better leadership with the new gent at the helm.

Couldn't have said it better myself, Climb2Slow. I believe that is one of the great enigmas of F9. We've always had some of the top, if not THE top ontime performance numbers (and yes, we actually use ACARS - minimizes cheating), record load factors, and a good product with a loyal following out of Denver. So....how is it that we keep losing money? Very good question, and one that we have been asking for a very long time.

I too am optimistic that our new CEO can possibly trim down all of the "assistants of the assistants" and some of the other fat at the GO, as well as enforcing some of the accountability that should be present with all labor groups, not just the pilot group. Very frustrating situation, especially when even Airbus was asking us how it is that F9 remains the top efficiency operator of their aircraft in terms of fuel savings and maintenance costs. Not sure what more we can do...

 

[Cardinal]

Just an outsider, but if you got higher ticket prices and full airplanes, how are you guys losing 20 mill a year?

It's been widely proclaimed that SWA's new markets as a whole are money losers, and that the old entrenched routes are what is keeping the ship afloat. Most of our operation is DEN, but for SWA DEN is only a small percentage. When we fight hard in DEN we lose 20 million/year. When SWA fights hard in DEN they could lose 30 million/year in that market but show a profit for the airline. You can't tell who's kicking who's butt in a specific city by looking at annual reports. We all get to rely on Kool-aid.

The fact that F9 is hovering around breakeven in the face of such threats is remarkable, really. It is very unlikely that DEN is a profitable city for SWA right now. Possible, but unlikely. You decide who's "winning."

 

[Cardinal]

I too am optimistic that our new CEO can possibly trim down all of the "assistants of the assistants" and some of the other fat at the GO

Granted, this is my first big airline, but I was amazed at how many bodies there are in that building & vicinity. "What would you say ya do here?" [/The Bobs]

 

[Tanker Clown]

SWA is a sinking ship. I predict that F9 will aquire SWA and sell off all of their gates system wide (keep the Denver gates of course), sell the jets after they run out of different animals to put on them, and keep the crown jewel...the boarding system.

 

[crashpad]

Been drinking a lot today? Really...put some thought into your flames before posting. The key is to get someone to actually consider it believable.

 

[Whataburger]

It's been widely proclaimed that SWA's new markets as a whole are money losers, and that the old entrenched routes are what is keeping the ship afloat. Most of our operation is DEN, but for SWA DEN is only a small percentage. When we fight hard in DEN we lose 20 million/year. When SWA fights hard in DEN they could lose 30 million/year in that market but show a profit for the airline. You can't tell who's kicking who's butt in a specific city by looking at annual reports. We all get to rely on Kool-aid.

The fact that F9 is hovering around breakeven in the face of such threats is remarkable, really. It is very unlikely that DEN is a profitable city for SWA right now. Possible, but unlikely. You decide who's "winning."

Our management is not known to lie to us, and they have stated that DEN has been a very, very good city for us. Beginning Nov. 4, we will have 16 non-stop destinations out of DEN.

 

[amt]

well...let me see operating out of denver is a bitch...very expensive, Competing with United is a bitch, Southwest is a bitch...., and of course Fuel is a bitch." .

According to last financial statement the main expenses were:
Lynx (start up cost) = 2.2 mil
Leather seats (retro) = 1.4 mil

F9 posted a NET LOSS of 3.5 mil for fiscal year ended June 30- 07.

 

[Cardinal]

Our management is not known to lie to us, and they have stated that DEN has been a very, very good city for us. Beginning Nov. 4, we will have 16 non-stop destinations out of DEN.

Well congratulations on finding solid revenues in markets where F9 and Uni/Ted have been slogging it out for years to no avail.

 

[Whataburger]

Well congratulations on finding solid revenues in markets were F9 and Uni/Ted have been slogging it out for years to no avail.

I did not find them, I just fly them. Hopefully we can all find profits in Denver.

 

[Tanker Clown]

Been drinking a lot today? Really...put some thought into your flames before posting. The key is to get someone to actually consider it believable.

It's called sarcasm. Chill out Crashpad...and lay off the retard sandwiches.

 

[GuppyWN]

pretty scrappy threads for an airline with $5 stock and not a lot of money in the bank.

I like it.

Gup