Virgin America firms up aircraft orders and options.

[DASHDRIVER]

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-...n-airbus-a320-order-to-double-fleet-size.htmlhttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-17/virgin-america-places-5-1-billion-airbus-a320-order-to-double-fleet-size.html

 

[LoveGun]

Great! The original MOU between VA and Airbus was for 40 A320s and options for 20 more. This is a firm order for all 60 airplanes. That's great news!

It makes me wonder about VA's cash position. We only have something like $23 million dollars cash in the bank and somehow got financing for $5.1 billion worth of aircraft. Either someone pitched in some more money or airbus has a lot of faith in VA's business plan.

 

[Yuppyguppy]

Can you say SKYBUS part II?

 

[Chairman]

First is was we had no airplanes on order, then it was they were not a real order just MOU, now that is signed and, then our wages are low, when they come up what will it be next.......Keep throwing pies and the clown but I dont think we are going any where anytime soon. Starting an Airline our of CMH which does not break into the Top 10 us cities is far different business model than what we are trying to do.

 

[johnsonrod]

Were the loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? Just kidding. I am sure the Financial Wizzards figured something out (fingers crossed!).

One thing is for certain, you can't beat VA's economy product (JB is close and SWA's can't compare) and they have a loyal and growing customer base. Let's hope it all works out. Great news for more hiring going forward.

 

[JetFumes]

First is was we had no airplanes on order, then it was they were not a real order just MOU, now that is signed and, then our wages are low, when they come up what will it be next.......Keep throwing pies and the clown but I dont think we are going any where anytime soon. Starting an Airline our of CMH which does not break into the Top 10 us cities is far different business model than what we are trying to do.

.....what?

 

[RNP.15]

Let the blood bath on the west coast begin.

 

[pilotpm]

Virgin America will also be the launch customer for the A320neo. The re-engined sharklet model.

 

[ackattacker]

Good for them, but generalized advice is this industry is don't believe anything until you are actually sitting in the seat.

 

[hyflyin]

Good for them, but generalized advice is this industry is don't believe anything until you are actually sitting in the seat.

We're pilots, we believe everything. Right up til we're thrown out on the street (twice).


:crying::crying:

 

[Fubijaakr]

You'd have a lot more credibility if you knew the difference between lose and loose.

 

[Tomct]

Wow....VA is making money, firming up 60 airplanes to have a fleet of 111 by 2019 and we are STILL not going to make it. Love the "glass is half full" on this board. Keep those positive attitudes coming people.

 

[B727Driver]

Pan Am was ready to purchase the SST and was taking reservations to the Moon. Orders are one thing, deliveries are another. Best of luck, nice people and product.

 

[NEDude]

Pan Am was ready to purchase the SST and was taking reservations to the Moon. Orders are one thing, deliveries are another. Best of luck, nice people and product.

And since July the knock on Virgin America was "An MOU is one thing, and actual order is another".

Pan Am was considering a concept airplane that never flew, Virgin America is ordering a current production model that has well over 4000 models in operation, and an update version of that same model aircraft. Pan Am was taking reservations to the moon, Virgin America is taking reservations to places like New York and Dallas. VERY different situations, and thus not even a remotely valid comparison.

 

[NEDude]

Can you say SKYBUS part II?

Not really. Skybus ordered all of their aircraft before the airline even launched. Skybus died after eleven months of operation.

Virgin America made these orders nearly three and a half years into operations (more than three and half times longer than Skybus was alive) and following a profitable quarter (which Skybus never had).

The only thing Skybus and Virgin America had in common is they both started in 2007 and both operated A320 family aircraft. Any comparison beyond that is futile at best.

 

[hyflyin]

You'd have a lot more credibility if you knew the difference between lose and loose.

It's not my quote. Perhaps the author wanted spelling majors, such as yourself, to waste your time correcting it. I really don't know, really don't care. Just thought it was funny. Feel free to ignore me so you don't have to read it again.

I thing you should waist ur time goggling it to c who rote it and send the kerections to him.

Cheers

Oh, and I misspelled the second paragraph intentionally (just so you know).

 

[front9]

Its really sad how people like Fubi, UALiar, Barfchef and Yuppy will always come here and troll cuz their life is miserable. The only way they can feel better about themselves is to try and make others feel just as bad as they do (something about misery and company, I forget). Anyway, great airline, beats United or Jetwho’s product any day.

 

[Lear70]

Moderator reviewed: NOT a ToS violation.

Please do not report posts that are not a violation of the ToS. If you are unfamiliar with what constitutes a ToS violation, please go and read the Terms of Service again.

Thanks,

/mod

 

[clr4theapch]

For those members that like to report "just to report" we will just ignor you if you continue to waste our time on "thin skin" topics that don't suit you... turn the channel if you don't like content... thanks

 

[Limeyflyer]

How many pilots is VA planning on hiring this year??

 

[Ralph Cramden]

How many pilots is VA planning on hiring this year??

Average of 16/mo for the foreseeable future. The junior CA for the orders announced has yet to be hired.

 

[A-V-8]

Average of 16/mo for the foreseeable future. The junior CA for the orders announced has yet to be hired.

I got the rejection letter today. Does that count for anything?

 

[Tomct]

I got the rejection letter today. Does that count for anything?

Sorry to hear that man. Good luck out there.

 

[Fubijaakr]

I got the rejection letter today. Does that count for anything?

Look at it this way. You now have the opportunity to get an honest job.

 

[Giggity]

Look at it this way. You now have the opportunity to get an honest job.

Slightly off topic....Wasn't there a pilot at Alaska that was such a fricken tool,that he was actually denied, BY HIS OWN COMPANY, the right to jumpseat ON HIS OWN AIRLINE? I mean, that's the rumor. I find it hard to believe though. I mean, a guy would have to be a horses behind of EPIC proportions to be denied the right to ride on the JS of his own airline. Come to think of it...nevermind. That story has to be made up. If there was someone out there that was that much of a tool he would have been shot in the back by his mother in his youth.

 

[Tomct]

Look at it this way. You now have the opportunity to get an honest job.

Way to go....look like a complete IDIOT to the entire pilot world out there. But hey, I only hope great things for YOU "junkbar." Glad I will NEVER have to spend anytime with a choice person like yourself in the cockpit.

 

[Q400 Gear Bitch]

Slightly off topic....Wasn't there a pilot at Alaska that was such a fricken tool,that he was actually denied, BY HIS OWN COMPANY, the right to jumpseat ON HIS OWN AIRLINE? I mean, that's the rumor. I find it hard to believe though. I mean, a guy would have to be a horses behind of EPIC proportions to be denied the right to ride on the JS of his own airline. Come to think of it...nevermind. That story has to be made up. If there was someone out there that was that much of a tool he would have been shot in the back by his mother in his youth.

Actually I think It was the Alaska CEO Bill Ayer was denied a JS or maybe it was an actual seat out of Anchorage right after an arbitrator awarded Alaska some out to lunch pay cut for the pilots(incidentally that was before Virgin America even started). From what I remember of the rumor mill, the pilot said he would not be fit to fly knowing Ayer was in the back. Sorry for contributing to thread drift. We now resume our regularly scheduled programming.

 

[Q400 Gear Bitch]

Look at it this way. You now have the opportunity to get an honest job.

So Fubi, what are you gonna say when Virgin rates match those of Alaska? Just curious.

 

[Fubijaakr]

So Fubi, what are you gonna say when Virgin rates match those of Alaska? Just curious.

They won't. Look at the rates.

Besides, its a general principles thing. USAir and UAL, and to a lesser degree DAL pilots got screwed by the bankruptcy court. The court abrogated their contracts and imposed the (at the time) jetBlue non-Union narrowbody pay rates.

Now, those carriers are still behind the 8 ball because their managers convinced the judge that to be competitive they needed to match the non-Union pay rates they were facing in the market.

And non-Union pay rates can go up or down at the whim of the individual managements because they are not contractual. Look at Allegiant pay rates. They're dependent on company performance. So if the company doesn't make "enough" profit as defined by them, YOUR pay goes down.

You really want that to become the model for pilot compensation? If you think airline managers aren't going to attempt to impose whatever means necessary to enhance their stock option prices, you're deluding yourself, my friend.

 

[Q400 Gear Bitch]

They won't. Look at the rates.

Besides, its a general principles thing. USAir and UAL, and to a lesser degree DAL pilots got screwed by the bankruptcy court. The court abrogated their contracts and imposed the (at the time) jetBlue non-Union narrowbody pay rates.

Now, those carriers are still behind the 8 ball because their managers convinced the judge that to be competitive they needed to match the non-Union pay rates they were facing in the market.

And non-Union pay rates can go up or down at the whim of the individual managements because they are not contractual. Look at Allegiant pay rates. They're dependent on company performance. So if the company doesn't make "enough" profit as defined by them, YOUR pay goes down.

You really want that to become the model for pilot compensation? If you think airline managers aren't going to attempt to impose whatever means necessary to enhance their stock option prices, you're deluding yourself, my friend.

Perhaps the rates would go down after going up, I guess that remains to be seen. As for deluding myself, I only do that on long layovers! Cheers!