Great Lakes Lost UA Codeshare

[flap operator]

Interesting how Mesaba was the low bidder in this. According to our management it is hard to compete with our cost structure. The big quesiton is that was this Mesaba AIRLINES or Mesaba HOLDINGS (Big Sky) that won this EAS contract. If it was AIRLINES I guess we can look for a NW press release soon regarding this new service... since AIRLINES can only grow within the NW system.


FO

 

[ndpilot701]

From what I was told, this is basically a NWA operation. The JMS/DVL airport managers/board members (including my employer), and ND Aeronautics Commission Reps went to MSP last week for a meeting with Mesaba/NWA regarding schedules, fuelings, overnights, etc...basically each airport representative was there to get the best for their airport.

As the events were related by boss to me, the NWA guy was running the show. He was the decision maker.

The upshot is that NWA is going to do what is best for NWA. JMS will be down to 2 flights per day (from 6 with GLA). A Saab 340 will be coming in at 1200 and 1700. That will make it tough for the business traveler. However, I'm hoping that our charter will pick up due to that very fact.

Also hoping the owner will go multi-pilot and put me on the certificate...but not holding my breath.

Regards,
Scott
KJMS

 

[Alaskaairlines]

Yeah, a buddy of mine over at Lakes was suppossed to be furloughed a month ago, then it got postponed, and now he's still on the line. Hopefully the rest of you guys can get back on-line soon!

 

[flyhard]

Have to agree with Ben Dover on this one. Yes the UA codeshare would be a blow to GL, but they would just reduce and keep on trucking. I hope the best for all the GL people. I enjoyed my time there. As far as shutting down, I think I heard that about 1095 times in my three years there, you get used to it.


ONCE A LAKER ALWAYS A LAKER

 

[hawkowl88]

I heard a rumor that UAL was planning to replace the GLA codeshare with UEX flying with either Air Whiskey, or SKYW. Anybody else hear anything similar?

 

[wooferdog]

All I really know is that Mesa will be flying 10 Dash 8's out of DEN soon. Air Whiskey is returning their 328s.

I heard somewhere that Mesa is going to operate 1900s out of DEN under a UA codeshare.

If Lakes can't make the 1900 work, what makes Mesa think they can. Heck, Lakes even has Raytheon behind them, don't they?

 

[skywestdrvr]

SkyWest is doing Casper overnights in July. I just showed up in the bid packages today. That is the first I've heard.

 

[canadflyau]

We have known we were losing Casper and 3 other cities at least a month ago.. For example, Lakes ran a mix of 1900's and Emb120's on the route, I think 5 flights a day. The avg load was about 19 people (on the Emb), and approx 50% of those folks were UAL code share.. I am not sure how many Embs SkyWest is going to run, but it is going to cost United more to run two cost plus flights a day, than to pay for their individual pax.

Our code with Frontier is up 700% from 1 month ago. Quite frankly our loads have been really good here lately, I haven't seen the terminal area packed like this in ages. We have really turned around: 98-99% complete, and 90% on-time. We have been bringing back furloughs... So it makes it difficult to comprehend Lakes demise.

Also it is interesting to note that GLA is still a creditor of United... They still owe GLA $$

 

[skywestdrvr]

What were the 3 other cities?

 

[stillaboo]

If Lakes can't make the 1900 work, what makes Mesa think they can. Heck, Lakes even has Raytheon behind them, don't they?

Mesa is quite interested in the DEN 1900 routes of 'Lakes. JO has indicated before that Mesa can break even on the 1900 with EAS, but not w/o it.

Regarding 'Lakes possibly losing the UA codeshare and YV in DEN, here's the latest from Orenstein himself: "The GLUX implications could be significant for us - particularly on the EAS markets in DEN. "

-Boo!

 

[wooferdog]

. . . And it gets even more interesting.

I just found out that Dick Fontaine wants to start an operation. Look like mainly cities (towns?) in Wyoming to Denver with...get this...Dash 8s!!!

http://www.trib.com/AP/wire_detail.php?wire_num=203409

Dash 8's from podunk Wyoming to DEN? UNREAL! Is he THAT mad at Voss?

Remember, Dick Fontaine before he dicks you!!

 

[FranktheTank]

Seriously, I can't believe they want to run the Dash in WY. Rock Springs, Cody, maybe in the summer, Laramie, Riverton, hey why not Worland too. No way. Too expensice and not enough peeps up in those parts to make $ on a 37 seater, unless of course they hire Freedom pilots. Anyway, its too bad about Lakes. No matter what anyone says, what a kick a$$ place to work. Great pilots, and nothing beats flying into TEX. You can't put anything but a 1900 on most of those markets, and it would be sad to see someone else doin it.

 

[canadflyau]

"The GLUX implications could be significant for us - particularly on the EAS markets in DEN. "

Does JO think that UAL controls who gets the EAS cities? Even if UAL drops Lakes, Lakes still has the EAS contracts..

I would say that if JO's business plan is based on the failure of any other airlines, that is a terrible plan. He should stick to the things he can control. Being poised to pick up the pieces is one thing, but banking on a failure is another.. Maybe he has a crystal ball

 

[stillaboo]

Does JO think that UAL controls who gets the EAS cities?

No, but, w/o a codeshare, many EAS markets would be interested in an EAS operator who had the codeshare that their EAS used to have, and JO knows that fo' sure!

I think Lakes is going to get a quick lesson is how persuasive JO can be. I 'pity the fool' who underestimates JO.

-Boo!

 

[canadflyau]

many EAS markets would be interested in an EAS operator who had the codeshare that their EAS used to have

Maybe true, but unfortunately that is not a condition for who gets awarded the EAS contracts by the Fed gov... but one thing that is, Completion. Lakes new CEO knows that, and MESA's completeion performance has been sub-par... like I said, I think JO should not be betting on which horse may or may not fail, and keep shaping up the ops he has.. Frontier is not a happy customer right now, and that is one thing that is for sure..