CAL May Get Heathrow

[Ex737Driver]

Looks as if CAL may get double slots to LHR from both IAH and EWR.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21478296/

 

[j3ben]

Cool. Are we going to use the 737-900ER from EWR-LHR? We are definitely short on wide bodies!!

 

[jetpig32]

"Easy money"
Geico Lizzard circa 2006

 

[Ex737Driver]

Cool. Are we going to use the 737-900ER from EWR-LHR? We are definitely short on wide bodies!!

Agreed. Would be nice if the route announcement had the purchase of some GECAS or ILFC aircraft to go with them. Can't use the 767-300, there are no 767-400's for lease, so if we could get anything it would have to be the 777-200.

 

[Crucianpilot]

Agreed. Would be nice if the route announcement had the purchase of some GECAS or ILFC aircraft to go with them. Can't use the 767-300, there are no 767-400's for lease, so if we could get anything it would have to be the 777-200.

Why cant we use a 767-300er. Thats more than enough for that route.

 

[Ex737Driver]

Pretty sure CAL is not going to add another fleet type. The 767-300 would need FAA approval to fall within the guide lines that CAL has set-up for it 767/757 dual type. I'm sure it could be done but time would be the factor.

 

[Crucianpilot]

Pretty sure CAL is not going to add another fleet type. The 767-300 would need FAA approval to fall within the guide lines that CAL has set-up for it 767/757 dual type. I'm sure it could be done but time would be the factor.

Not sure I'm following you on this one. Thought it only required differences training, same type. Like 737-800/900. It was my understanding the only reason we don't have them is because of availability and price. What guidelines are you referring to?

 

[Ex737Driver]

We have approval from the FAA and our POI that allows us to operate the 767-400, 767-200, 757-200/300 all under the same type rating. You can fly the 757 one day and the 767 the next. Both are completely different cockpits. I'm quite sure we could add the 767-300 to operate under the same type but it would require a change to the existing program/type whcih would take some time. The FAA does not move fast.

 

[CAL EWR B737]

Isn't the cockpit on the 767-300 the same as the 767-200 and the size between the 767-400 and the 767-200? Whats the problem they should get the FAA to buy off like they for everything around here.

 

[Ex737Driver]

Not arguing that they can't or wouldn't but the problem is that if we begin LHR servicve, acquiring 767-300's and having the FAA approve it for or purposes in the dual type program at CAL is not going to be a fast process.

 

[Crucianpilot]

Which is why we need to start looking at acquiring more widebody a/c sooner rather than later.

 

[Ex737Driver]

Agreed. 4 more 777's ought to do it.

 

[geshields]

Isn't the cockpit on the 767-300 the same as the 767-200 and the size between the 767-400 and the 767-200? Whats the problem they should get the FAA to buy off like they for everything around here.

I have a feeling our new POI would not go for it. There is a credible rumor going around that the 737 base will be having a 737-300 sub-base by the end of next year. The feds bought off on the common fleet because the company could prove that we would touch all types within a certain time period. Seems with a lot of the NG's on the property, there are a substantial number that never see the 737-300 until their recurrent MV/LOE and the feds do NOT like that. Our new POI is definitely not the same as the old....

 

[RJAA]

At this rate, for Coninental, in the near future, the only place in Europe that will see 777s is going to be LHR and that's it. Two additional 777s have to go to PVG which we are already commited. Those 777s have to come from CDG. The 787s won't be here in time. This all means a lot of seat capacity reduction especially in BizF in the North Atlantic, which will turn a lot of businesses away while so called "Skyteam Alliance minus CO" NW-Delta-AF-KLM eats Continental's lunch. I hope Continental has a better plan other than sit and wait until the 787s to get here. They are still in the distant future. Realistically, they aren't even coming until later in 2009 or summer 2010 to make any kind of operational difference after proving runs, and that is still subject to change. It hasn't even flown!

 

[pianoman]

I have a feeling our new POI would not go for it. There is a credible rumor going around that the 737 base will be having a 737-300 sub-base by the end of next year. The feds bought off on the common fleet because the company could prove that we would touch all types within a certain time period. Seems with a lot of the NG's on the property, there are a substantial number that never see the 737-300 until their recurrent MV/LOE and the feds do NOT like that. Our new POI is definitely not the same as the old....

As masochistic as it is I think it might be kind of fun to just fly the old round dials. Depends on where the base is and where they fly them I guess.

 

[CAL EWR B737]

I have a feeling our new POI would not go for it. There is a credible rumor going around that the 737 base will be having a 737-300 sub-base by the end of next year. The feds bought off on the common fleet because the company could prove that we would touch all types within a certain time period. Seems with a lot of the NG's on the property, there are a substantial number that never see the 737-300 until their recurrent MV/LOE and the feds do NOT like that. Our new POI is definitely not the same as the old....

If that is true then we will have to do the same for the 756. I was at 33% on the 737 and saw the 300 once every few months. On the 756 unless you are north of 40% you never see the 767-400.

 

[geshields]

If that is true then we will have to do the same for the 756. I was at 33% on the 737 and saw the 300 once every few months. On the 756 unless you are north of 40% you never see the 767-400.

I think it has more to do with situational awareness than actually flying it. I believe all of the 756 fleet has a map display however...

 

[Dewey Oxberger]

More fleet types would mean more required staffing, right? Not a bad thing in my opinion. Anyway, if we get the Heathrow slots it kind of defeats the purpose of flying to Gatwick, right? Maybe out of CLE and a 757 a day from EWR, but I'm sure they'll just switch the heavies going there now to LHR. Heathrow will be great but it doesn't change the fact that our lack of widebodies is letting DAL kick our a$$ in the transatlantic expansion game. I hope there is a Plan B if the 787s are delayed even more.

 

[whymeworry?]

I think they'll simply cut back some of the twice daily service cities in Europe to once a day. This will free up 757s to take over 764 routes and they will use the 764s for LHR. Of course this will cost us in the long run as we lose market share in some of these cities by switching out a 764 and twice daily svc for a 75 to once a day. This will also have an impact on connecting traffic into the US with less flights from the cut cities to feed into our hubs.

The whole probelm is easily fixed by buying more aircraft, something CAL just doesn't want to do unless it's a 737 or a 787. We need approx 20 more triple sevens now.

 

[RJAA]

My guess is that CO will do away with the current double daily IAH-LGW and replace them double daily IAH-LHR with B777s. As for EWR, Once daily evening EWR-LHR on a B777 and a daytime flight EWR-LHR on B762 as Delta has already announced daytime JFK-LHR. LGW will survive with just double daily B752s from EWR. LHR should undoubtly be B777 service to maximize the slot usage. It also needs the 50 BizF seats not 35. For all of that change, it shouldn't increase the current B777 fleet useage for London for the short term. However, we are still short 2 airframes for EWR-PVG for 2009. So, 2 additional B777s would be nice before the B787s gets delivered. Not 20.

Downgrading cities like FRA, BRU, AMS-EWR to B757s to free up more B762/B764 would be a real shame as they carry tons of cargo and premium traffic. I have thought of ZRH could go B757 but I hear it's difficult with the B757. GVA also has tons premium traffic (UN and corporate) that I would think it won't be the first place that CO would look at downgrading to a B757.

 

[flatspin7]

The other part is that with the addition of the 737-900ER, the last of the domestic trans-con 757 will probably go across the pond.

In reality CAL could really make some good use of about 6-8 more 777 and maybe another 10 767 (any type) right now (or even a few years ago) if we wait of the 787s to start showing up we may have to play a good deal of catch up with Delta.

 

[Crucianpilot]

The other part is that with the addition of the 737-900ER, the last of the domestic trans-con 757 will probably go across the pond.

In reality CAL could really make some good use of about 6-8 more 777 and maybe another 10 767 (any type) right now (or even a few years ago) if we wait of the 787s to start showing up we may have to play a good deal of catch up with Delta.

Couldn't have said it better. Exactly what we need to do to keep up with the rest of the pack.

 

[RJAA]

The other part is that with the addition of the 737-900ER, the last of the domestic trans-con 757 will probably go across the pond.

In reality CAL could really make some good use of about 6-8 more 777 and maybe another 10 767 (any type) right now (or even a few years ago) if we wait of the 787s to start showing up we may have to play a good deal of catch up with Delta.

You are not going to find these airframes anywhere. Even if Continental decides to buy new ones tomorrow, the B787s would be here probably sooner. So what's the point in that? As for the used B777s, finding a relatively new 200ER model with GE90s in good conditions that would match the current fleet is very difficult as it isn't exactly the most common type that other airlines currently own. Also, Continental has one of the youngest B767 fleet in industry and picking up some high time B767s that does not match the current fleet is only going to drive the cost to sky rocket really, and only other airline that use the -400 is Delta.

 

[minrest]

What people seem to forget is our huge presence in Jersey.....why don't we just steal a couple of those British Airways 777's that they leave parked at the International terminal?

This kind of stuff goes on all the time in Newark. A friend of mine even had his car stolen from the the employee lot. It's just sad that Cal considers itself such a Jersey player but doesn't have the b*lls to grab one or two of those planes with a super tug and paint Continental on it

 

[Dewey Oxberger]

What people seem to forget is our huge presence in Jersey.....why don't we just steal a couple of those British Airways 777's that they leave parked at the International terminal?

This kind of stuff goes on all the time in Newark. A friend of mine even had his car stolen from the the employee lot. It's just sad that Cal considers itself such a Jersey player but doesn't have the b*lls to grab one or two of those planes with a super tug and paint Continental on it

Dude, that was frickin' hilarious!

 

[j3ben]

What people seem to forget is our huge presence in Jersey.....why don't we just steal a couple of those British Airways 777's that they leave parked at the International terminal?

This kind of stuff goes on all the time in Newark. A friend of mine even had his car stolen from the the employee lot. It's just sad that Cal considers itself such a Jersey player but doesn't have the b*lls to grab one or two of those planes with a super tug and paint Continental on it

that is great...maybe they could turn the old infrared deice tent into a paint shop. i bet cal could hire some locals from elizabeth and newark with previous chop shop experience to paint the 777 overnight!

 

[Jetjockey]

Couldn't be any worse than that Peter Max 777. Looks like someone 'tagged' it with a few hundred cans of Krylon spray paint.

 

[Ex737Driver]

My guess is that CO will do away with the current double daily IAH-LGW and replace them double daily IAH-LHR with B777s. As for EWR, Once daily evening EWR-LHR on a B777 and a daytime flight EWR-LHR on B762 as Delta has already announced daytime JFK-LHR. LGW will survive with just double daily B752s from EWR. LHR should undoubtly be B777 service to maximize the slot usage. It also needs the 50 BizF seats not 35. For all of that change, it shouldn't increase the current B777 fleet useage for London for the short term. However, we are still short 2 airframes for EWR-PVG for 2009. So, 2 additional B777s would be nice before the B787s gets delivered. Not 20.

Downgrading cities like FRA, BRU, AMS-EWR to B757s to free up more B762/B764 would be a real shame as they carry tons of cargo and premium traffic. I have thought of ZRH could go B757 but I hear it's difficult with the B757. GVA also has tons premium traffic (UN and corporate) that I would think it won't be the first place that CO would look at downgrading to a B757.

I think we have had enough of the pond crossing 757's. That niche has worked very well and we started a trend that has every airline following our suit. It's time to start adding some heavy metal and get the 757 off the major industrial and economic cities in Europe. As for the availibility of 777's, I believe Emirates has 7 that they are leasing temporarily until they begin A380 deliveries. It's quite possibly to see some far east carriers park some 777's as they begin receiveing their A380's as well. Also, wasn't Alitalia trying to offload some 777 with their state run reorganization?

 

[Patriot328]

Couldn't be any worse than that Peter Max 777. Looks like someone 'tagged' it with a few hundred cans of Krylon spray paint.

It reminds me of what an airplane would look like if it were to crash into the Starburst candy factory..


Horrendous....

 

[zonker]

I think we have had enough of the pond crossing 757's. That niche has worked very well and we started a trend that has every airline following our suit. It's time to start adding some heavy metal and get the 757 off the major industrial and economic cities in Europe. As for the availibility of 777's, I believe Emirates has 7 that they are leasing temporarily until they begin A380 deliveries. It's quite possibly to see some far east carriers park some 777's as they begin receiveing their A380's as well. Also, wasn't Alitalia trying to offload some 777 with their state run reorganization?

We need more widebodies yesterday. Came back from Germany last week and they filed us directly to Goose Bay. No redispatch point, nada.

Then we held twice going into EWR and were about 10 minutes from diverting. In retrospect, we should have added more gas in YYR - but still, it's embarrassing.