ATA LFs way down

[lowecur]

The supposed synergy with a LUV codeshare is not paying dividends yet. LF down 8 pts from last year even with a major reduction of capacity. I think this speaks volumes that the flying public doesn't see a future with the airline.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050304/nyf106_1.html

 

[CaptSeth]

I think this speaks volumes that the flying public doesn't see a future with the airline.

[url="http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050304/nyf106_1.html"]http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050304/nyf106_1.html[/url]

I think it speaks more to the fact that the previous management vacated the MDW market and stopped accepting bookings in anticipation of the Airtran offer. The codeshare is actually performing above expectations, as will be evidenced by a major announcement in the next 48 hours.

 

[HalinTexas]

Previous managment stopped trying to run or save this place last August. After the bankruptcy, they didn't even have there usual internet Thursday fun fares.

Bookings going forward are looking pretty good, but fares are still pretty low. Codeshare is gradually expanding.

Lots more change to come at ATA. However, we are NOT out of the woods yet. Once we get a permanent CEO we'll see what happens.

 

[atafan]

I think this speaks volumes that the flying public doesn't see a future with the airline.

I believe that is exactly what passengers were thinking in December and January, evidenced by the horrible February showing.

Future bookings are up and SWA is giving ATA a little more rope. ATA's stats are shoulder to shoulder with SWA except for the very important customer service ratings. ATA's customer service has always been lacking but is now number one priority with current management and we will see much improvement very soon.

ATA is a leaner, well focused and much better managed airline than ever before and only getting better. ATA is not competing head to head with the 800 lb gorilla, in fact we are in bed with it.

I always knew we had an exceptional airline and employees we just needed better management that was focused and trained/empowered it's employees.

Future looks very bright for ATA, finally.......

Time will tell.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

How many planes did ATA take out of service? How many on furlough?

Are the military charters still doing well? I've been hearing that World is taking some away.

 

[CaptSeth]

'05 promises to be as good as '04 if not better. Lots of flying on the 1011 and 757 all over the place. Probably about $250 million in revenue. Currently we are removing some 737's and 757's. Numbers are not completely firm, but the target is to be operating 44-46 aircraft by year end (down from 67). There are coherent plans for the future for a change, I might add.

 

[controlledburn]

Nones (March 7th)

You know whats even more amazing Chicago Express with only 8 airplanes and ATA trying to kill the airline, will carry 40,000 passengers this month.

Could only imagine what Windy City would have done with RJ's on the property out of MDW.

The projected SWA (feed) was going to give ATA 2000 passengers a day.

At Windy's peak (3 months ago) they were giving ATA 3300 passengers a day.

ATA states the reason for not requiring a commuter is because they were going to get all the feed they needed from SWA.

Lets see doing the math that would have meant 5300 passengers a day if they had kept CEA going.

That would have been 2 million passengers a year.

ATA at its peak only did 8 million a year.

Can't wait till March 7th.. over

 

[atafan]

ATA, I believe had around 67 airplanes and will finish the year with around 45-46, still to be determined. ATA returned around 12 B737-800s but will be picking up a mix of B737-300s and 500s this summer.

I am very sorry to say that around 135 of our fine airmen(women) have been furloughed with another possible 60ish latter this Spring/Summer.

Military flying is at an all time high and forecasted to increase. ATA is looking at approximately 5 767-300-ERs, for Military and increased Hawaiian flying. Speaking of increased Hawaiian flying, the B737-800 will be ETOP certified soon and flying also over the Pacific.

My guess. Not many more if any will be furloughed and call backs early next year if not sooner. If we exit CH11 this summer/fall I expect call backs even sooner.

 

[atafan]

controlledburn

Have you heard anything new about Chico's buyout.

I, again, am very sorry for the employees of Chicago Express.

 

[Formula1]

Furloughs so far at ATA:

Nov. 1st, 2004- 2
Jan. 31st, 2005- 32
Feb. 4th, 2005- 40
March 31st 2005- 60
April 26th 2005- 65

This does not include any Flight Engineers that have been furloughed and also this is only what has been anounced so far- I am sure there will be more to come- unfortunately.

 

[CHQ Mx]

As a former C8 guy I gotta say ATA is a complete joke. They haven't been able to come up with a solid business plan for at least a year. The flip-flops from just the last year are comical. Just a sample from memory and I'm sure I missed a bunch...
1. We are looking at aquiring a fleet of 717s.....BTW Any one have spare cash we can borrow for this
2. With all these new 717s we will be able to fly our 37s domestically and free up our 57s for trans Atlantic.
3. We are leaving Chi... from the full page advert "Chicago allow us to introduce you to our new friend Airtran".
4. We will focus on and dominate our hometown IND (at the time Northwest had announced increased service 4 months earlier).
5. SWA is in and Airtran is out.
6. Instead of 50+ flights daily from IND, put us down for 5.
7. We are going to just shut down CEA...Even though they are producing.
8. Oh wait now with a month remaining, let's sell it instead.

ATA is now an airline that has been up way past it's bedtime and it's time it was put to sleep.
BTW- any and all animosity should directly to where it belongs...ATA management.
SWA- My hats off to you. It was truly brilliant to have castrated your only competition at MDW and pick up Hawaii and Mex flights on their dime.

 

[Ualexpress]

Good to hear things are turning around for you guys. I have a friend I haven't talked to for awhile who was hired in November or December of 2003. Will he still be employed after the furloughs? Hope everything continues to go well.

 

[capt. megadeth]

You know whats even more amazing Chicago Express with only 8 airplanes and ATA trying to kill the airline, will carry 40,000 passengers this month.

Could only imagine what Windy City would have done with RJ's on the property out of MDW.

The projected SWA (feed) was going to give ATA 2000 passengers a day.

At Windy's peak (3 months ago) they were giving ATA 3300 passengers a day.

ATA states the reason for not requiring a commuter is because they were going to get all the feed they needed from SWA.

Lets see doing the math that would have meant 5300 passengers a day if they had kept CEA going.

That would have been 2 million passengers a year.

ATA at its peak only did 8 million a year.

Can't wait till March 7th.. over

C'mon, we all know that ATA management always did the opposite of whatever made sense.

 

[FlyBoeingJets]

I feel for those on furlough/about to be furloughed. ATA has struggled with finding the right plan to make it thru these tough times. If any other airline is going to uphold their end of a deal it will be SWA. IMHO, ATA found a good partner.

 

[CaptSeth]

If any other airline is going to uphold their end of a deal it will be SWA. IMHO, ATA found a good partner.

That is clear.

 

[Ty Webb]

Out of the 39 ATA pilots who have been given interviews at SWA, how many have been hired?

 

[Challenger]

I'm one of them. I interviewed with two others but unfortunately only me.

 

[Formula1]

Are you a Captain or F/O at ATA?

 

[Challenger]

I was a 737 fo hired in jan 04.

 

[Jim Smyth]

I keep hearing all good things on our end with the code share. Numbers as far as connecting passengers are above there intial projections with the numbers continuing to increase as new city pairs are brought on line. This is a major restucturing effort for ATA and alot of this is new territories for us too. In time I believe we will both do very well with this partnership. With both companies concentrating on different cities I feel its a win,win situation. I hope in time that all the furloughed ATA folks can either get called back (soon) due to ATA doing well and prospering again and I hope we can bring some on board with us while some of them are out on furlough. I have great respect and admiration for the ATA folks and have worked side by side with them at Midway for many years.