The rich get richer!

[Beantown]

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 26, 2002--AirTran Airways, a
subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI - News), today
announced that the low-fare airline will launch a new regional jet
operation, AirTran JetConnect, on November 15. AirTran JetConnect,
operated by Air Wisconsin, will fly CRJ regional jets in short-haul
markets to and from the airline's hub at Hartsfield Atlanta
International Airport.
Operated with the popular 50-seat CRJ regional jets made by
Bombardier of Montreal, Quebec, AirTran JetConnect will initially
serve several cities from its Atlanta hub - Greensboro, N.C.,
Pensacola, Fla., and Savannah, Ga. - all of which are currently
served by AirTran Airways. In addition, AirTran JetConnect will
allow the airline to expand into other short-haul markets as well as
increase frequencies in underserved markets -- resulting in a
stronger catchment area for AirTran Airways' Atlanta hub.

"Developing a regional partner to feed AirTran Airways has been our
goal for some time, and we are pleased to introduce the AirTran
JetConnect service to extend our brand of low fares and quality
service," stated Robert L. Fornaro, AirTran Airways' president and
chief operating officer. "With the launch of AirTran JetConnect, we
will also be able to redeploy our Boeing 717s to increase
frequencies in longer haul, more profitable markets and facilitate
growth in larger markets we do not currently serve. In addition, we
look forward to our partnership with Air Wisconsin, a company
recognized throughout the industry for its high quality and
reliability."

 

[chawbein]

At least I'll feel like I'm getting more value for my dollar.... Pay 200 for that RJ seat instead of 300 with Delta on an RJ...

 

[Beechnut]

Whew! So give us the dirt. I know very little about AirTran. How are they doing these days?


S.

 

[lionflyer]

SAY WHAT???

As far as I know, Air WIlly isn't codesharing with anyone else except UAL. Our mission statement says that we are solely committed to kissing United's butt. Of course we are always the last ones to here any new "Big Announcements". Are you sure your info is accurate? I thought Airtran was looking at Mesa.

 

[Beantown]

"Are you sure your info is accurate? I thought Airtran was looking at Mesa."
------------------------------------------------------------------

The "info" was taken from the press. The press can be wrong and maybe they are in this case. I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised if your MGMT is trying to reduce your exposure to United due to there recent struggles and pending B.K. Just a guess.

According to JO at Mesa, they are out of the running at Airtran.
-Bean

 

[Beechnut]

It's fact. The AirWis President/CEO announced it through an email and a Pilot Memo today.

S.

 

[altimaklr]

Good news for my favorite regional airline. Props to Airtran for not low-bidding it to Mesa, however I bet part of their decision is based on AirWis's more stable labor situation compared to Mesa and a potential pilot strike.

I wonder if the Airtran pilots will now have to start thinking about scope?? I bet the ASM for the RJ will almost double that of the 717, so what's Airtran's motivation for this? I figured they would announce 737/319 purchases first, they could really feed on cities like SAN, SFO, LAX, SEA, etc.

-Sean

 

[lionflyer]

I just got the email. I'm still in shock.

 

[Fly-By-Cable]

Myself and all pilots I talked to today at AirTran seem to like the idea of a regional, which will allow the company to expand route structure with 717.

To answer the above question, AirTran pilot's contract signed last year has scope in it...thanks to some forward thinking of the union.

Here's just some of it....

"...arrangements with commuter or express carriers cannot include aircraft with a capacity greater than 70 passenger seats or a certificated gross weight of more than 100,000 lbs gross weight. All DC-9 series, B-737 series, and A-320 series aircraft are considered to have more than 70 seats regardless of their seating configuration...
a)The primary purpose for utilization of a commuter or express air carrier by the Company shall be to provide either passenger/cargo feed to the Company or to enhance the Company’s overall market presence.
b)Flying performed by all commuter or express carriers pursuant to the agreements contemplated by this paragraph 3 may not exceed more than 17.5% of the ASM’S operated by the Company except that if the Company has more than 60 aircraft on its Operations Specifications, such flying may not be exceed 18%. For more than 70 aircraft, the flying may not exceed 18.5%. For more than 80 aircraft, the flying may not exceed 19%. For more than 90 aircraft, the flying may not exceed 19.5%. For more than 100 aircraft, the flying may not exceed 20%...."

 

[surplus1]

Scope?...here comes Surplus1 and the RJDC!

You're right, here comes Surplus1 but you've obviously missed the whole point and you don't get the message.

Air Wisconsin is subcontracting with Air Tran therefore, any Scope that Air Tran may have is totally appropriate. They really should have scope that bans the subcontracting all together and lets Air Tran pilots fly the RJs. Then the Company (AAI) could fly as many as it needs and do even better than it will.

Air Tran needed better Scope, not less.

 

[Fly-By-Cable]

The only problem with AirTran operating their own RJs, is that it would drive the cost of training up. including mx ect.
Besides I don't know anyone here who wants to give up 2 year upgrade on 717 for over $100 an hour...and take an early upgrade in RJ for about what they can make as 2nd year FO on 717...
I think as long as the company keeps growing, which they're planning to do, Air Wisc's RJs are a good thing.
Scope clearly says that Express carrier will be used for company's growth only, and not to cut cost of main line flying, which is what they're doing.
From press release: "With the launch of AirTran JetConnect, we will also be able to redeploy our Boeing 717s to increase frequencies in longer haul, more profitable markets and facilitate growth in larger markets we do not currently serve."

 

[Cardinal]

FBC, that is exactly what CAL, DAL, AMR, etc said back in '95. The logical fallacies abound, however. Of course adding CRJ's would drive up mainentance costs, but who do you think is paying for the mainentance and training? It ain't AirWis, it's your company, the customer! Where is Air Wisconsin's competitive advantage? It seems AirTran has mastered flying a jet from point A to point B, so why subcontract? Cheaper labor, perhaps? And if the left seat of an RJ is below you today, perhaps dozens of pilots below you on your seniority list would look more appealing after a catastrophic economic event (But those don't happen, right?)

Do me a favor: Ask the next Continental pilot you run into on the hotel van what their 50-seat scope clause has done for them, then look at your 70-seat limitation and do the math.

 

[Fly-By-Cable]

The scope also includes % of ASMs that can be flown by Express carrier.
AirTran is presented with opportunity to grow in this crumbling economy...but is unable to do so fast enough with retirement of DC9s. and limited deliveries of 717s
So by covering some of existing routes...All three are by the way currently served by DC9, Company can expand perhaps west...and put more people in airplanes with @ on them.

This isn't DAL, AMR or CAL....all of which have long established names, routs and reputation among pax. Then RJs came and ruined their pilot's lives...

This company is growing and there are many travelers out there who never heard of AirTran. So the company is trying to grow aggressively while majors are vulnerable, and if it's RJs that will help that happen then so be it.

As a result of expansion there will be a lot of hiring next year (according to training dept.) So how is that bad for AirTran pilots?

Besides 717 is more efficient then any RJ, based on double the seating capacity, so it's cheaper to operate one 717 instead of 2 RJs. DAL's or AMR's 727, MD80....not so much.

Another good thing is AirTran picked Air Wisconsin who has one of industry's highest pay. If saving money was an object I'm sure Mesa would have gotten a call.