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[superrav]

Regionals Airlines on NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw...Show has already started..just thought I'd let the guys know that did see my post yesterday..

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

Regionals Airlines on NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw...Show has already started..just thought I'd let the guys know that did see my post yesterday..

I must have missed it.... Can you tell me what they said please?

 

[jetexas]

It talked about stuff we already know..RJ usage rising. It had interviews with a few passengers and Eagle's president.
It mentioned that they are cheaper to operate and "most importantly the pilots are paid wayyyy less".
Most important to who?? Not me!

 

[sweptback]

There was nothing said that we haven't heard before... the only surprise was the Eagle bigwig that didn't sound like he knew what to say.

"Uhh, the planes are... less expensive to buy, uhm, less expensive to operate..."

 

[FLJayhawk]

After reading this board for over a year I finally must post a question to the group.

How in the world is it cheaper to operate 11 RJ's instead of 4 larger aircraft?

Did I not hear the entire report?

 

[General Lee]

I though it was funny. And, the reporter stressed that pilots at the regionals make a lot less than pilots at the Majors. The planes are cheaper? Tell that to Mesa--they are supposedly getting used 737-300s for around $3 million per plane--versus $21 million for a new RJ. And the AA Eagle President really loves the economics--especially those low salaries for pilots. Get used to it--especially if the RJDC has it's way!!

Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[jarhead]

All-in-all, it was a pretty dopey, 3 minute long 'fluff' piece at the end of the news, that was being used all through the news as a 'tease', to keep people from switching the channel. The segment was a worthless POS

 

[MJG]

How in the world is it cheaper to operate 11 RJ's instead of 4 larger aircraft? Did I not hear the entire report?

I would imagine that if you took the crew cost of 11 RJ flights vs. 4 mainline flights, that alone would make up most of the difference.

RJ crew per hour ~ $100 for capt, fo and fa based on their hourly rate.

Mainline crew per hour ~ $330 for capt, fo and min of 3 flight attendants.

330 x 4 = $1320 for 4 flights on mainline
vs.
100 x 11 - $1100 for 11 flights on a RJ

There's way more to it than that but in its simplest terms it's mostly about the crew costs.

 

[General Lee]

If there were 4 AA MD-80s a day with 140 seats each, that would equal 560 seats. Some of those would be first class seats--and some would actually be paid for, with the others as upgrades. The 11 E135s have 37 seats (?), and that would equal 407 seats a day. I think the 4 MD80s--if full would produce enough revenue to offset the $220 difference in crew costs, and could also carry most of the luggage (compared to the E135s), and probably carry some cargo---with happy people upgrading to first........

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[sweptback]

Some of those would be first class seats--and some would actually be paid for, with the others as upgrades.

I really don't think people pay for domestic first class anymore unless it's JFK-LAX or similar. For a 1-2 hour flight... what's the point? You get a couple extra drinks and a little larger seat... not worth $500+ IMO.

I think most first class seats are paid for by FFs buying higher priced coach seats with better upgrade eligibility than the $79 fares.

 

[General Lee]

Who knows? Maybe there are rich tech guys going to Raliegh for the day to sign a big deal....Maybe those same guys want that free upgrade and will continue to use AA for other routes--like JFK to LAX--maybe in First Class too.....You have to be able to offer it for your best customers. They are your bread and butter....

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[jarhead]

At the Delta gates in CVG, on the electronic 'bulletin board', there are always message ads promoting a last minute upgrade to First Class, for a price of $75.00 Now, that's probably a lot less than you'd pay if you actually booked FC ahead of time. But there are usually first class seats filled with non-revs, who would be sent back to coach when anyone of the paying public says, "sure, I'll give ya 75 bucks" I'd never pay the full load for a reservation in first class. Always take the good bet you'll be able to get it cheaper at the last moment.

 

[sweptback]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying abolish First because nobody pays for it... I'm just saying that airlines shouldn't be banking on people paying the big bucks on it, especially for a short hop.

But yes, I agree that it's a nice loyalty tool for the frequent fliers.

If the economics of the CRJ 900 really aren't that much worse than the CRJ 700, maybe we'll see a whole lot more of the CRJ 705 to counter the EMB-170 until Bombardier can come up with something better.