Aviation industry tries to undercut key change

[pilotyip]

Bulchit!! They'll only continue to whine about it but fact is fares and fees have been steadily increasing over the last couple years and so too has ridership, and that's because airlines have become very stingy on the supply side. If you don't believe it look at the average fare of what is still the LCC gauge, SWA. It ain't cheap!

Slowly they are being reeducated that it actually cost money to keep get to point B in a hurry. Besides, I would like to see them cross the great oceans in their winnebagos and Explorers, or for that matter the ship...

SWA is no longer the low cost carrier, six weeks out they are tuff to beat, three weeks out, almost everyone beats them. If there is a better way to do, then for go for it, perhaps I am all wrong and the public will not will change any of their purchasing plans based upon the price of a ticket. Now if you think that pilot can be paid more without raising prices then that is for you to work out with your union and management. But remember there has to be a certain level of profitibility in order to have access to funds. It all boils down to economics. Best of luck. BTW I really do wish that you made $250K per year and your F/O $125K per year

 

[jonjuan]

SWA is no longer the low cost carrier, six weeks out they are tuff to beat, three weeks out, almost everyone beats them. If there is a better way to do, then for go for it, perhaps I am all wrong and the public will not will change any of their purchasing plans based upon the price of a ticket. Now if you think that pilot can be paid more without raising prices then that is for you to work out with your union and management. But remember there has to be a certain level of profitibility in order to have access to funds. It all boils down to economics. Best of luck. BTW I really do wish that you made $250K per year and your F/O $125K per year

And yet southwest pilots do AND the company continues to beat margin expectations quarter after quarter. Isn't your premise that pilot wages and company profitability are naturally and economically inversely proportional to one another?

 

[Mamma]

Think about it like this YIP, say you have a family of 4 and you want to travel from Seattle to Dallas to visit your parents. It costs $1500 round trip today to fly. It takes 4 days to drive each way. 20 miles a gallon at $3 a gallon and say you do about 700 miles a day. 35 gallons a day at $3 = $105 a day x 4 days = $420. $840 including the trip back. 3 nights in a hotel on the way at $120 a night = $360. $720 both ways. $1560. Have not included any food or stops for fun along the way. Say about $80 a day for food. $500 more. Now we are over $2000 (ballpark) just to drive there. The family lost about 8 days of precious vacation time and incurred a cost greater than flying. It costs $1500 to fly round trip. If you were the traveler, all things considered, would you pay $1750 to fly round trip and have the extra days of vacation and less headache? Say it is winter and you have to drive over icy roads? Given this example, can a few bucks be added for employees? How many days of vacation do you give your people? Do they want to spend 8 days driving to and from Wally World or do they want to maximize their vacation?

Now, here is the kicker, would the other airlines match your $1750 or would they try to keep marketshare at $1500? What exactly is driving the ticket prices?

 

[jonjuan]

Do they want to spend 8 days driving to and from Wally World or do they want to maximize their vacation?

Depends. Will they get to meet a Christie Brinkley look-alike in a bar while wearing white patent leather shoes?

 

[pilotyip]

Think about it l.......750 or would they try to keep marketshare at $1500? What exactly is driving the ticket prices?

I agree DFW-SEA airlines tickets are a bargin, but airlines have to fly DTW-TPA and fill seats to make money. DTW - TPA can be driven without loosing much time

 

[Mamma]

I agree DFW-SEA airlines tickets are a bargin, but airlines have to fly DTW-TPA and fill seats to make money. DTW - TPA can be driven without loosing much time

Not much time!!!! It's 4 days driving assuming 600 miles a day! 2400 miles roundtrip. At 20 miles per gallon it is about 120 gallons of gas = $360. Two nights in a hotel = $250. Food and other stuff: $200. $810. On AirTran it cost $207 to fly round trip! Can you believe that! $207 round trip! For a family of 4 that is $828. Throw in some bag fees and you are about $900. But, you lost 4 days of precious vacation time. I think you would be insane to drive.

 

[waka]

With less people purchasing there is not as much demand for that commodity, therefore there will be fewer, but better paid pilots. As with many regulations, good for senior, not so good for everyone else.

So be it. The pendulum is too far into the "too many pilots and paid crap" side of the spectrum. No, I am not senior in my airline.

 

[pilotyip]

Not much time!!!! It's 4 days driving assuming 600 miles a day! 2400 miles roundtrip. At 20 miles per gallon it is about 120 gallons of gas = $360. Two nights in a hotel = $250. Food and other stuff: $200. $810. On AirTran it cost $207 to fly round trip! Can you believe that! $207 round trip! For a family of 4 that is $828. Throw in some bag fees and you are about $900. But, you lost 4 days of precious vacation time. I think you would be insane to drive.

Who drives 600 miles a day? That is like 8 hours of driving, 900-1100 is easily done with multi drivers lots of insane people in this country, my family and neighbors to be among them

 

[Mamma]

Who drives 600 miles a day? That is like 8 hours of driving, 900-1100 is easily done with multi drivers lots of insane people in this country, my family and neighbors to be among them

Throw a baby or small kids in the back and there you have it. 70mph for about 8.5 hours. 3 stops for about 30 minutes each and you are at 10 hours. Thats enough for most families. You and your neighbors can drive to Wally World. I and my neighbors will fly. Maybe its something in your water.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

ALPA backs the recommendation of 500 hours. No wonder there is a movement away from them, 'nuf said.

ALPA is backing a more qaulity education and lower time.

1500 hours of non challenging time while experience isn't the same....

A good example a pilot with 300 hours flying a jet with bombs off a boat.

It seems your post isn't thought out....