who will challenge Virgin America

[pilot1704]

I think he might be smart!

I think he (limodriver1) might be smart!

He seems like having decend opinions and at least he is not badmouthing company's or directly persons who he does not know or issues he don't have any idea. Well and I guess it is not my business anyway!

I think we are all equal and able to say our opinions!

I think pointing fingers for any directions is kind of silly!

I just personally think that talk about company's which are not operational is kind of stupid . I would love to work for Virgin USA or what ever it will be called.

Money can't be anyworse than in any regional company's at present time!

 

[Oakum_Boy]

You, sir, are a retard.

 

[sleepy]

And Fred Reid from DL will be the guy incharge--so enjoy that. I bet they will place an order for some A320s, and then 1000 RJs---because we all know that what's left of the businessmen out there love one thing, and one thing only----"FREQUENCY......" They need flights leaving EVERY TEN MINUTES from every city. But, the wages will have to be ROCK BOTTOM for this to happen. And, you will also need to fly 20 days a month---if you are senior---and please enjoy 4 hour sits at whatever your hub is between flights. You guys are going to love Reid.


That sounds like life here at ASA General. Now that Fred is gone, why am I still flying the schedule you describe?


Also, Virgin Express in Europe has done poorly as of late (the last couple years) because of the proliferation of LCCs in Europe.(also the bueracracy problem of Brussels) Virgin Blue came together at a perfect time in Australia----where Ansett had just gone Chap 7 (liquidation---I don't know what it is called down there)--and ONLY Qantas was the main player there at the time. I think Reid and Branson will find it tougher---maybe more like Virgin Express---when they start up here. But, their airline will do great if it bases everything off of one key element-------FREQUENCY. Enjoy!

Bye Bye---General Lee

I read somewhere (probably here) that the pay would be $56K for Captains and $35K for FO's, no benefits, 3 year contract, and you must already be trained in the aircraft (typed), like SWA. If true, that should give them a pretty big cost advantage over all US majors, and even SWA and AirTran.

I hope it's not true, it wouldn't even be worth leaving ASA for those wages.

 

[b757driver]

Well folks, here's the news, you've all been waiting for........

GECAS to Finance $3 Billion Aircraft Order for Virgin Group
Monday, May 03, 2004

Virgin Group Ltd., the company owned by billionaire Richard Branson, is to order more than 100 airplanes from Airbus SAS for its new low-cost U.S. airline, the Observer reported, without saying where it got its information.

Virgin will buy a mix of Airbus A319 and A320 planes in a transaction that may be worth more than $3 billion, the Observer said. The transaction will be financed by GECAS it said.

Fred Reid, the chief executive of the airline, currently known as Virgin USA, will unveil the details in New York this week, the Observer said.

 

[Dizel8]

Aviation Daily

Virgin USA To Order Aircraft, Name Base, But Launch Slips
By Steve Lott
05/03/2004 10:33:39 AM

Virgin USA plans to unveil an order this week for roughly 30 new aircraft and reveal the base of operations for the low-fare carrier, but the launch date continues to slip from the timeline executives have previously discussed.

A Virgin USA executive told The DAILY Friday that the airline planned an announcement "very early next week" but couldn't discuss details. Several sources, however, confirmed that Airbus is the frontrunner in the narrowbody campaign. Chairman Richard Branson earlier this year said he wanted to start with 10-15 planes, but sources said management now wants a larger order for growth (DAILY, Jan. 9).

Virgin also is expected to unveil the city where it will base its operations. In January, Branson said the list was narrowed to Boston, San Francisco and Washington. Dulles Airport, however, is now a distant third, largely due to Atlantic Coast's accelerated timeline to launch Independence Air. By August, Independence Air is expected to operate 300 daily flights and will be in a battle with United.

Last July, Branson said he hoped to have Virgin USA off the ground by this summer (DAILY, July 17), but the start-up has slipped significantly. He said in January that it would start in September; in March the company said it won't start until early 2005. It wasn't until March that Branson named former Delta President Fred Reid to "lead the formation" of the carrier (DAILY, March 15). The airline has yet to apply to the U.S. Transportation Dept. for certification.

 

[General Lee]

If it were between BOS and SFO, I would think SFO would win. Why? Because it has more opportunity to fly North South routes out of SFO---even though the weather in SFO can cause significant delays. I bet Arnold Swartzenegger has given Branson some tax breaks---and SFO doesn't have many LCCs---besides ATA, AWA, and Airtran. It will be interesting to watch, but I bet INDY is breathing easier.... Enjoy Fred Reid!

Bye Bye--General Lee