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Skywest CEO meets with ASA "leaders" Q&A

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Medeco

SQUIB
Joined
Sep 12, 2002
Posts
1,064
FLIGHT OPERATIONS LEADERSHIP MEETING Q&A

SEPT. 20-21, 2005
JERRY ATKIN, SKYWEST, INC. CEO Q&A
Q: What do you see as the vision for ASA’s future?
A: We will operate SkyWest and ASA as separate carriers. One reason is because they

are two big companies and if we keep them separate its keeps the leaders close to where

the rubber meets the road. We don’t want to get out of touch with our people.

We do intend to set high objectives for ASA. I don’t mean to say that to make you feel

bad about your company because you’ve accomplished much and you should be proud of

your many accomplishments. But we intend to move the bar higher.
Q: Do you see ASA flying for other carriers other than Delta?
A: Our objective is to add a third codeshare to the SkyWest, Inc. portfolio. We want

ASA to be able to competitively bid on other work outside Delta and create growth. We

want to grow to help with the cost competitive side of things and not for growth’s sake.
Q: What is the future of SLC?
A: As much as I know yo u want me to, I cannot give you a definite answer to the future

of ASA’s SLC operation. We have to start where Delta needs SkyWest and ASA to be.

We need to make sure both carriers are equally cost competitive and we plan for new

aircraft to go to both carriers.
Q: Will we see additional hubs in the future?
A: Based on today’s existing system, I don’t anticipate that since Delta’s hubs are not

changing.
Q: What about pass privileges?
A: We don’t have a firm answer on that, yet, but honestly, I expect it will be less than

what you have now. It only makes sense since Delta will be adjusting the pass benefits

for their own people.
Q: What about the fleet plan for ASA?
A: I have no final answer but we will get six CRJ200 in the first half of 2006 and I

expect they will come to ASA. SkyWest, Inc., has 22 CRJ700/900s on firm order for

delivery in 2006-2007 and we still are finalizing the numbers of how many 700s and how

many 900s or 705s we will receive. We anticipate all of these aircraft will be delivered

by July 2007.
Q: What is the plan for our IT needs? Will we move from Delta Technology and

the equipment we currently use?
A: We want to get full use of the equipment we have and look at the capital expenditures

for equipment we need to replace and or add. We’re still working on that plan.
Q: What is the future of the ATR?
A: Current plans are to retire the ATR from ASA’s fleet by July 2007.
Q: What about adding first class in CRJ700s?
A: We are looking at having all new CRJ700 to include dual class. We are unsure about

retrofitting our current fleet. Financing is the big question there.

BRAD RICH, SKYWEST, INC CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Q&A
Q: Are you concerned about Delta giving growth to other regional carriers?
A: Moderately. We’re confident that we will have the best product, financial resources,

quality of people and good equipment. Combine that and we’re going to get our fair

share of growth. We don’t want to give them a reason to look anywhere else.
Q: Will you rectify difference between pilot labor costs?
A: I doubt if we will ever fully reconcile the difference between labor costs but I’m

confident we can work it out. At SkyWest our base wage is low but we make it up in

performance compensation. I think we can make progress by tying it to performance

compensation.
Q: Do we still have all our gates at Atlanta?
A: ASA will have all its current gates at Atlanta. We do have our gate subleases from

Delta and US Airways on Concourse D and all gate leases remain as they were before

SkyWest, Inc. purchased ASA.

SAM WATTS, ASA VICE PRESIDENT – PLANNING AND LOGISTICS Q&A
Q: What does the contract provision “fly aircraft on own account” mean?
A: It means that we cannot operate flights for revenue generation purposes exclusively

for ASA, with the aircraft covered by the agreement. The contract does include specific

parameters and limitations on the operation of flights under the “EV” code in selected

Delta hub cities.
Q: How will average guys know how ASA is performing against the metrics we are

given in the Delta contract?
A: It is every leader’s responsibility to keep the information out there for all team

members so that we all know where we stand. We’ll use myASA, division publications,

face to face briefings and other means to ensure all ASA team members are kept up to

date on our goals and how we are performing against each of the goals.
 
Hmmmm, more talk about the -900/705. I wonder how they are going to approach this pay wise with ASA. I don't see them offering pay scales for the 200, 700 and 900, since SKW only has the scale for 50-99 seats.
 
Q: What about the fleet plan for ASA?
A: I have no final answer but we will get six CRJ200 in the first half of 2006 and I expect they will come to ASA. SkyWest, Inc., has 22 CRJ700/900s on firm order for delivery in 2006-2007 and we still are finalizing the numbers of how many 700s and how many 900s or 705s we will receive. We anticipate all of these aircraft will be delivered by July 2007.

Sounds like the rumors may be true. I was in 70 differences training this week and the instructor said B.H. was seriously looking at buying the 705's , but that he was waiting on finallizing the deal until the new pay agreement was voted on. By the looks of it management will probably cram a yes vote down all our throats and we will be flying 705s and 900s for 50 seat pay.
 
viper548 said:
Hmmmm, more talk about the -900/705. I wonder how they are going to approach this pay wise with ASA. I don't see them offering pay scales for the 200, 700 and 900, since SKW only has the scale for 50-99 seats.


I realize Skywest & ASA both already operate the CRJ, but the CR9 just can't compare to the E170 in terms of performance or comfort... Given Skywest's and ASA's previous experience with the EM2 (probably not the best experience), you'd expect an opportunity to discuss the E170 with Embraer...

That CR9 is just a longer tube-version of the already pax-unfriendly CRJ....
 
On Your Six said:
I realize Skywest & ASA both already operate the CRJ, but the CR9 just can't compare to the E170 in terms of performance or comfort... Given Skywest's and ASA's previous experience with the EM2 (probably not the best experience), you'd expect an opportunity to discuss the E170 with Embraer...

That CR9 is just a longer tube-version of the already pax-unfriendly CRJ....
I agree, the E170/190 would be a much more comfortable plane for the pax. The CR9 would probably be more profitable though. it has a common type, common parts and less training events.
 
Mmmmmm?



Q: What do you see as the vision for ASA’s future?
A: We will operate SkyWest and ASA as separate carriers. One reason is because they

are two big companies and if we keep them separate its keeps the leaders close to where

the rubber meets the road. We don’t want to get out of touch with our people.

We do intend to set high objectives for ASA. I don’t mean to say that to make you feel

bad about your company because you’ve accomplished much and you should be proud of

your many accomplishments. But we intend to move the bar higher.

We do need raise the bar and get rid of the current mgt. Everyone here is sick of the old ASA way. Treat your people better. Respect our professional skills and give us a fair contract!!
Q: Do you see ASA flying for other carriers other than Delta?
A: Our objective is to add a third codeshare to the SkyWest, Inc. portfolio. We want

ASA to be able to competitively bid on other work outside Delta and create growth. We

want to grow to help with the cost competitive side of things and not for growth’s sake.

Competitively bid and race to the bottom.
 
Since when have companies cared what the pax think? I wish the pax could flex their muscle better but everyone knows it all about the fares.

:(
 
av8er2 said:
Q: What do you see as the vision for ASA’s future?​



A: We will operate SkyWest and ASA as separate carriers. One reason is because they


are two big companies and if we keep them separate its keeps the leaders close to where

the rubber meets the road. We don’t want to get out of touch with our people.

We do intend to set high objectives for ASA. I don’t mean to say that to make you feel

bad about your company because you’ve accomplished much and you should be proud of

your many accomplishments. But we intend to move the bar higher.

We do need raise the bar and get rid of the current mgt. Everyone here is sick of the old ASA way. Treat your people better. Respect our professional skills and give us a fair contract!!





Q: Do you see ASA flying for other carriers other than Delta?​








A: Our objective is to add a third codeshare to the SkyWest, Inc. portfolio. We want


ASA to be able to competitively bid on other work outside Delta and create growth. We

want to grow to help with the cost competitive side of things and not for growth’s sake.

Competitively bid and race to the bottom.




So are you suggesting not bid competitivly?...Won't that mean youdon't grow and you eventually die?
 
The reason why Skywest is not looking at the E-170/190 is because of the dispatch reliability of those planes. Which currently at $hit taco is 30-40%, while the SkyWest/ASA RJs are in 80% range.
 
The E-170/190 costs more to operate than the CRJ 700/900 and they move the same number of widgets.
 

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