SkyWest Ground Handling

[Newpilot2b]

Herd in the crew lounge this morning that SkyWest lost the RFP for all ground handling in Montana to Comair?

 

[USCtrojan]

Herd in the crew lounge this morning that SkyWest lost the RFP for all ground handling in Montana to Comair?

Yes, it's true. Don't worry too much. I don't think it was an RFP per say. So far out of 13 stations of 19 ASA has lost every single one. I imagine 6 more will go as well. Delta just put out the RFP to make it look good. Everything will be moving to RAH eventually.

Trojan

 

[dh2981]

. Everything will be moving to RAH eventually.

Trojan

What do you mean? Why do you say that?

 

[USCtrojan]

What do you mean? Why do you say that?

Because if Delta has the power/ability to make money on their operation, they will. DAL is combining Mesaba, Comair and Compass ground handling into RAH ground services. These ground stations make money for their respective Carriers. Delta wants it. Can't blame them for it. Performance won't matter, only $$$ does.

Trojan

 

[dh2981]

Because if Delta has the power/ability to make money on their operation, they will. DAL is combining Mesaba, Comair and Compass ground handling into RAH ground services. These ground stations make money for their respective Carriers. Delta wants it. Can't blame them for it. Performance won't matter, only $$$ does.

Trojan

Ah! you mean RHS! Yea i agree with you. That the whole purpose of it. They want to take control of all ground handling

 

[USCtrojan]

Ah! you mean RHS! Yea i agree with you. That the whole purpose of it. They want to take control of all ground handling

Sorry about that, I stand corrected. I was thinking it was "Regional Air Handling". Not Republic, sorry for the confusion.

Trojan

 

[rickair7777]

I heard that DAL was taking over Montana...but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Rumor has it that DAL wants to take over all ground handling in SLC...if true, that will impact hundreds of SKW ground employees.

 

[USCtrojan]

I heard that DAL was taking over Montana...but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Rumor has it that DAL wants to take over all ground handling in SLC...if true, that will impact hundreds of SKW ground employees.

I had a former SkyW Regional Mgr, who was let go and is now at ASA as a Reginoal Mgr. on my jumpseat. (yes, he was given permission by Scott Hall). He told us this scenario could possibly and will likely happen.

Trojan

 

[rickair7777]

I had a former SkyW Regional Mgr, who was let go and is now at ASA as a Reginoal Mgr. on my jumpseat. (yes, he was given permission by Scott Hall). He told us this scenario could possibly and will likely happen.

Trojan

Anybody want to guess why DAL would do that? I talked to some DAL guys while jumpseating...they seemed to think that DAL was just trying to preserve jobs for it's own employees. My concern is that DAL is laying the groundwork to boot SKW out of SLC. Not sure if ATL and SGU are getting along well these days...

 

[USCtrojan]

Anybody want to guess why DAL would do that? I talked to some DAL guys while jumpseating...they seemed to think that DAL was just trying to preserve jobs for it's own employees. My concern is that DAL is laying the groundwork to boot SKW out of SLC. Not sure if ATL and SGU are getting along well these days...

I really don't think it has anything to do with that. It's all about that "seamless" travel option. Delta did this exact thing with ASA in Atlanta a few years ago. Granted ASA's customer service left a few things to be desired (not that Delta is much better.) SkyWest is seeing the same thing happen in their hub. There is demand for RJ's in SLC, additionally SkyWest has a fat Contract with Delta. That won't change, but the ground handling stuff most likely will.

Trojan

 

[Speedtape]

Anybody want to guess why DAL would do that? I talked to some DAL guys while jumpseating...they seemed to think that DAL was just trying to preserve jobs for it's own employees. My concern is that DAL is laying the groundwork to boot SKW out of SLC. Not sure if ATL and SGU are getting along well these days...

1. Cost Cutting--They can save about 33% on labor by replacing current employees with someone making $8 per hour and no or lesser benefits.

2. Modular Flight Operations--By taking over the ground operations, it will allow them to "Plug-n-Play" regional airline's flight operations. If a regional doesn't perform or has labor relations that may threaten the mainline operation, then it makes it easier to replace that regional. WHIPSAW

3. Seamless Customer Service--concept allows a higher degree of seamless service and quality control. Mainline will have direct control over the customer service product. In the future, it will be an employee that will only do it the Mainline way.

4. Airplane Ownership--In the future, mainline will own enough of the airplanes in the feeder fleet where they can allocate or reallocate those planes where they see fit. It facilitates the Plug-N-Play concept. Just take the airplanes from one regional, remove and replace the sticker on the front, and transfer it to another regional. Depending on direction of negotiations, Pinnacle may get the first dose of that medicine.

5. Reduced Control--By implementing this concept, individual Regional Control is reduced further. Basically, a regional carrier will consist of a small mangagement structure that controls employees that are only comprised of Mechanics, Flight Attendants, and Pilots. All other business functions will be executed by Mainline. For the most part, since the airplanes will be controlled by Mainline, a regional is nothing more than a wet-leasing flight ops, temp agency. Strict Cost Control will follow. They decide what you will get paid and what your benefits will be. There will be no more pattern bargaining. In fact, there will probably be no more Unions. Welcome to the Walmart World!

 

[rickair7777]

1. Cost Cutting--They can save about 33% on labor by replacing current employees with someone making $8 per hour and no or lesser benefits.

2. Modular Flight Operations--By taking over the ground operations, it will allow them to "Plug-n-Play" regional airline's flight operations. If a regional doesn't perform or has labor relations that may threaten the mainline operation, then it makes it easier to replace that regional. WHIPSAW

3. Seamless Customer Service--concept allows a higher degree of seamless service and quality control. Mainline will have direct control over the customer service product. In the future, it will be an employee that will only do it the Mainline way.

4. Airplane Ownership--In the future, mainline will own enough of the airplanes in the feeder fleet where they can allocate or reallocate those planes where they see fit. It facilitates the Plug-N-Play concept. Just take the airplanes from one regional, remove and replace the sticker on the front, and transfer it to another regional. Depending on direction of negotiations, Pinnacle may get the first dose of that medicine.

5. Reduced Control--By implementing this concept, individual Regional Control is reduced further. Basically, a regional carrier will consist of a small mangagement structure that controls employees that are only comprised of Mechanics, Flight Attendants, and Pilots. All other business functions will be executed by Mainline. For the most part, since the airplanes will be controlled by Mainline, a regional is nothing more than a wet-leasing flight ops, temp agency. Strict Cost Control will follow. They decide what you will get paid and what your benefits will be. There will be no more pattern bargaining. In fact, there will probably be no more Unions. Welcome to the Walmart World!

Makes sense.

 

[Erlanger]

I heard that DAL was taking over Montana...but that's just the tip of the iceberg. Rumor has it that DAL wants to take over all ground handling in SLC...if true, that will impact hundreds of SKW ground employees.

It would impact SKW employees but I don't think SKW would mind that. They could get rid of alot of employees, greatly reduce their benefits cost and let DAL take all the blame for the ground handling problems.

 

[Erlanger]

Anybody want to guess why DAL would do that? I talked to some DAL guys while jumpseating...they seemed to think that DAL was just trying to preserve jobs for it's own employees. My concern is that DAL is laying the groundwork to boot SKW out of SLC. Not sure if ATL and SGU are getting along well these days...

SKW owns the rights to the "E" gates in SLC for the next 100 years. This could turn into a bluffing game with DAL and SKW over who's going to budge over the those gates. SKW owns all their planes. SKW could them try to do an Expressjet or ACA type branding with those jets and the gates. Or I'm sure SKW could also find another carrier to move into SLC and codeshare for them. Would DAL risk it?

 

[Tarzan]

How do figure SKW owns all their planes?

 

[Erlanger]

How do figure SKW owns all their planes?

OK, so most are leased but DAL doesn't have any rights to them is what I was trying to imply.

 

[rickair7777]

True, SKW controls the airplanes and the gates.

 

[PBRstreetgang]

DAL would be barking up the wrong tree, do not, repeat do not stand between SGU and their cash tree, it's kinda like having your pockets stuffed with bacon, with a hungry Tasmanian Devil sitting on the couch next to you.
Bad Idea!
PBR

 

[USCtrojan]

DAL would be barking up the wrong tree, do not, repeat do not stand between SGU and their cash tree, it's kinda like having your pockets stuffed with bacon, with a hungry Tasmanian Devil sitting on the couch next to you.
Bad Idea!
PBR

BACON BACON BACON!!!! I SMELL BACON!!!! GIMME SOME F'N BACON!!!!!!!!

Trojan

 

[Speedtape]

SKW owns the rights to the "E" gates in SLC for the next 100 years. This could turn into a bluffing game with DAL and SKW over who's going to budge over the those gates. SKW owns all their planes. SKW could them try to do an Expressjet or ACA type branding with those jets and the gates. Or I'm sure SKW could also find another carrier to move into SLC and codeshare for them. Would DAL risk it?

Expressjet or ACA type branding? And how did that work out?

Another carrier move into SLC and codeshare?

Hmmm--Who would that be and where would their armada park?

Who do you think is the real 800 LB. Silverback Gorilla in this equation?