ATA adding 4 cities in April '06

[budlightyear]

Just wondering if anyone has any hiring info for ATA. I would love to send it but not sure what the best route is.

 

[BunsenHoneydew]

Just wondering if anyone has any hiring info for ATA. I would love to send it but not sure what the best route is.

Is that a joke? That must be a joke. With hundreds of ATAers on the street, I think that it is going to be a long time from now before good ol Johnny D announces or even thinks about any hiring.

That must have been a joke and I got suckered in.

BH

 

[HalinTexas]

Let's be clear here.

ATA ended service to DEN, SJU (really stupid) and MSP in the last two months. Have become or are becoming SWA cities. In April, we pull out of MCO and RSW, now SWA cities and they want them back.

We pull out of SFO and move the operation, what little there is, to OAK. ONT, ITO and HOU are new cities, but we have to give up a lot to start these new cities.

ATA is SWA's "prison bitch" or at best a place holder. When SWA can operate to international destinations or acquires ETOPS certification, ATA is done. We have 700+ active pilots with 30 airplanes. There is no reason for us to exist. There was a lot of hula-baloo (sp?) lately about a subservice to Air Saipan, but he Co. wanted something that union was not prepared to give. It was ridiculous.

The above news press release is at least a little be of good news, but it's not enough for ATA to become an independent, viable airline.

 

[apache]

ATA is SWA's "prison bitch" or at best a place holder.

Hal, is it true that you are getting new uniforms? ATA Uniform shop

I think that the zipper goes in the back.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Let's be clear here.

ATA ended service to DEN, SJU (really stupid) and MSP in the last two months. Have become or are becoming SWA cities. In April, we pull out of MCO and RSW, now SWA cities and they want them back.

We pull out of SFO and move the operation, what little there is, to OAK. ONT, ITO and HOU are new cities, but we have to give up a lot to start these new cities.

ATA is SWA's "prison bitch" or at best a place holder. When SWA can operate to international destinations or acquires ETOPS certification, ATA is done. We have 700+ active pilots with 30 airplanes. There is no reason for us to exist. There was a lot of hula-baloo (sp?) lately about a subservice to Air Saipan, but he Co. wanted something that union was not prepared to give. It was ridiculous.

The above news press release is at least a little bit of good news, but it's not enough for ATA to become an independent, viable airline.

You may be entirely right, but I don't think so.

I don't think the SWA model works with international. I think while ATA will need to be tied to SWA the relationship is about to solidify. There will be a definite line SWA will not want to cross and ATA can stabilize as they take advantage of it.

I expected ATA to lose some destinations and the new schedule is going to be a good, firm base to improve from, IMHO. I can also see some international out of New York, DFW or even Orlando. ATA will be able to compete quite nicely with AA, UAL, USAir and DAL. Perhaps some international out of Philly or elsewhere is the cards.

But I'm drinking the koolaid and hope only the best for ATA. I knew ATA had to shrink and have already been shocked by the extent of the shrinkage at MDW. I predict good things for ATA by the end of the year.

 

[HalinTexas]

Hal, is it true that you are getting new uniforms? ATA Uniform shop

I think that the zipper goes in the back.

:laugh:

They'd have to be prison orange, though. Let's not forget the kneepads and the "Guppy Soap." Ouch, those winglets hurt.

 

[Capt.LongThrust]

Just curious what the SWAPA view on this codeshare is? That is if ATA starting doing international routes and expanding the Pacific flying.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

Just curious what the SWAPA view on this codeshare is? That is if ATA starting doing international routes and expanding the Pacific flying.

There were a few folks upset about Fort Myers and Orlando codeshare when we had service to the same cities. I knew it would all work out, so I was not. But codeshare is something most want to address in negotiations.

I don't know "SWAPA's" position very well. I know what some individuals think. I'm hoping the smart viewpoints will prevail.

 

[Capt.LongThrust]

FBJ,

I am sure the smart ones will prevail, like you said. That being said if this ATA thing does work. That is a big if. It will be interesting to see how SWAPA takes it. Of course if it is a dismal failure, then nobody wants any part of it. On the other hand if it works. Well I guess that will be a different ballgame. I think SWA is waiting until ATA rises from bankruptcy to step up the codeshare.

 

[budlightyear]

Gotcha