Delta/Skywest cuts in SLC

[WalterSobchak]

Maybe, while on duty, you should stick to dispatching your aircraft, before you have to file an ASAP for posting on Flightinfo.com. Are you bored at work?

Not bored at all...been a busy day. Just now getting a few minutes of downtime for the first time in hours.

That was a 5 second copypasta job (it's from Talladega Nights) posted during a moment of downtime and had completed checking in with my crews with updates on ORD.

Believe it or not...I know what I'm doing down here, am in complete control, and can *gasp* multitask.

 

[homerjdispatch]

Believe it or not...I know what I'm doing down here, am in complete control, and can *gasp* multitask.

Thats not what she said!!!

 

[WalterSobchak]

Thats not what she said!!!

Touche'.

 

[ampropilot2b]

Delta will not close SLC if there is a merger. Doing so would mean that there is no hub between MSP and LAX. That is a huge gap, approx. 2/3 of the country geographically speaking. Additionally, if DL were going to close SLC, they would just merge with United since SLC/DEN is the area with the greatest overlap. There is far more overlap between ATL/MEM/CVG/DTW than with SLC/LAX/SEA. Also, closing SLC would leave a huge opportunity for the competition. There are many companies that would love to have a hub in this region (CAL, AMR, Air Tran, Southwest, Spirit, JET BLUE). Most likely, SLC would be downsized somewhat to make LAX and SEA grow. More likely, SLC would stay about the same, with LAX growth coming out of MEM, CVG, and DTW redundancy.

 

[Speedtape]

Delta will not close SLC if there is a merger. Doing so would mean that there is no hub between MSP and LAX. That is a huge gap, approx. 2/3 of the country geographically speaking. Additionally, if DL were going to close SLC, they would just merge with United since SLC/DEN is the area with the greatest overlap. There is far more overlap between ATL/MEM/CVG/DTW than with SLC/LAX/SEA. Also, closing SLC would leave a huge opportunity for the competition. There are many companies that would love to have a hub in this region (CAL, AMR, Air Tran, Southwest, Spirit, JET BLUE). Most likely, SLC would be downsized somewhat to make LAX and SEA grow. More likely, SLC would stay about the same, with LAX growth coming out of MEM, CVG, and DTW redundancy.

The area between LAX and MSP can be serviced with regional and narrow body airplanes feeding each one of those respective hubs. Out and back flights from LAX, MSP, and even ATL, would actually be more efficient and would greatly reduce the costs of running another hub. One of the benefits of a merger is to eliminate unnecessary operations and costs.

The 2/3's part of the country that you mention, is the least densely populated part of the country. There is alot of open space and small cities except for Denver. Rattlesnakes and jackalopes don't buy tickets.

LAX has a strategic advantage. Any traffic that the SLC hub captures can be captured from LAX, MSP, ATL and Seattle. In addition, yields are low in the West as compared to the more populated areas East of the Mississippi.

You have to look at this objectively, and from a business perspective!

 

[dbchandler1]

You have to look at this objectively, and from a business perspective!

Oh......is that what you call it when an ASA pilot talks about the shutting down of a major Skywest hub that ASA was taken out of. How very brave of you to share your unbiased opinions.

 

[Speedtape]

Oh......is that what you call it when an ASA pilot talks about the shutting down of a major Skywest hub that ASA was taken out of. How very brave of you to share your unbiased opinions.

And your point is? I have no bias, just taking a look at what makes good business sense. Make no mistake, should a merger take place, there will be hub closings. I can guarantee LAX and Seattle will not be closed. SLC only makes sense to those who have an emotional argument--those that live there!

How very brave of you to attack the poster, instead of the post! If you don't like the post, then argue it or censor me by blocking my screen name. In the meantime, give strong consideration before you buy any property in the area!

 

[Jon Rivoli]

CVG and MEM are about an inch apart on the map and SLC is going to get the axe? HMMM.

 

[Speedtape]

CVG and MEM are about an inch apart on the map and SLC is going to get the axe? HMMM.

In a merger, CVG and MEM will also be gone. Mergers allow for consolidation, and reduction of costs. At some point after the merger, total employment of the two companies will be reduced by base closings. It will also cause a rational hub structure that can support the larger goal of feeding international flights which tend to be less cyclical and more profitable. Even today, this is the emphasis. The profit potential lies in international flights and that is the major reason that NWA is so attractive. It's Pacific rim route structure is the crown jewel and will fit nicely with the Atlantic and South American route structure. Everything domestic will be restructured to feed those routes.

How many international routes, other than Mexico, does SLC have? Even CVG has more, and it will definitely not be a hub due to proximity to MSP and DTW. Have you ever seen the heavy iron on the ground in DTW and MSP? Memphis even has more international flights and it will not be a hub due to proximity to ATL.

LAX will grow after a merger at the expense of SLC. LAX can support international growth and the entire Southern California area is a much larger population base, and more diverse, to support local feed for international flights to South America and the Pacific. NWA and Delta have plenty of gate space at LAX to grow. At one time, LAX was a large base for both carriers.

More importantly, LAX does not sit at 5,000 feet of altitude and is not as susceptible to continuous days of 100 degree heat in the heaviest travel season of the year. Pacific rim flights, in the best of circumstances, are payload sensitive due to fuel requirements for the distances required. LAX is closer to the Pacific rim than SLC and has an airport that is near sea level and average temperatures in the Summer are in the high 80's, maybe low 90's.
Connect the dots!

 

[BOX OFFICE]

Just keep it up boys. You'll have all the world's problems solved in no time... right here on Flightinfo!