Virgin America and open skies

[ACAFool]

Wouldn't open skies solve the problem Branson has run into. It seems that he could now own a foeign company that just has it's only base in the US (sfo). Or is there more to it?


How could 62,040,610 Americans be so stupid?

 

[General Lee]

Wouldn't open skies solve the problem Branson has run into. It seems that he could now own a foeign company that just has it's only base in the US (sfo). Or is there more to it?


How could 62,040,610 Americans be so stupid?

That is wrong. A foreign company cannot base a company in the US for domestic use. They could fly a plane from Europe to a city here, and then onto another foreign city--like onto Cancun. Also, A company like Virgin can now compete from other European cities to places here. They could try to comepte with Iberia (and DL) on flights from Madrid to JFK for example. No extra flights within the US.

Bush also wants to increase to 49% foreign ownership in US Airlines. (With 25% voting rights) I have no problem with that, since it will increase the flow of capital to struggling carriers, while only giving them a 25% voting right. It would essentially be an investment in our carriers.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[K. Marx]

Am I wrong then in thinking that with Open Skies BA would be able to fly from London to JFK and then pick up more people and on to SFO? There is a lot of talk about foreign carriers having sub-bases here and American carriers having sub-bases in Europe. If what the General said is true this is not possible.

Thanks

 

[General Lee]

Qantas does this now, from SYD to LAX and onto JFK three days a week (QF 107). The deal is that they have to originate in SYD, and cannot purchase a ticket in LA to go to JFK. They can be Australians and have a three day break in LA before going onto JFK, but the tickets cannot be purchased by US citizens to fly just between LA and JFK. BA currently flies a 777 from IAH to IAD and onto LHR and does the same thing.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[3d homer]

It has been done before, how do you think TWA got a 727 hijacked in europe? It didn't originate in JFK.

 

[General Lee]

It has been done before, how do you think TWA got a 727 hijacked in europe? It didn't originate in JFK.

The TWA base in the mid 80's had 727s and L1011s flying intra-europe. Delta aquired the Frankfurt hub of Pan Am and flew 727s and 767s for a few years around Europe, including the Frankfurt to West Berlin Shuttle on the 727s. Now Europe is trying to consider itself one nation---called the EU. They are trying to bargain as one nation. The rules have changed and we will not be allowed to fly intra-Europe (within the EU nation) unless we give them the ability to do the same over here. That is not part of the Bush Agenda. Foreign ownership up to 49%, and liberalization of flights from European cities to the US and back is a part of that agenda. Also opening up London Heathrow, as long as you can find gate space.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[El-Rushbo]

Just curious but does anyone have data on pilot wages, work rules and benefits for some of the EU pilots compared to US? Do they overall have lower pay and bennies and longer hours that US and could this be an advantage for profitability of open skies is made a reality for the foreign business here in the US?

And yes, I am sure that Air France, Virgin, Lufthansa, etc make descent wages. But what about ones like Spanair, Alitalia, Adria, Iberia, Olympic, TAP Portugal, etc?

 

[Green]

Generally they stink...Air France is a notable exception but the discount carriers are aweful. Go to PPRUNE and look in the forums under terms and endearment to get some info. PPRUNE is basically the EU version of this website.

At Ryan Air pilots have to pay for their own recurrent sim training, pay for refreshments in flight, and are not allowed to charge their cell phones on company property because it wastes electricity!!! Crazy stuff, huh. The airline pulled the window shades out of their airplanes because it saves money and I believe they even removed the pockets from the seat backs. All good stuff if you are the flying public looking to spend about a quarter for a ticket. Not so good if you're a pilot....