Speedtree said:
g159av8tor,
Not entirely true. United can do that now because they are in bankruptcy. We signed a 10 or 11 year contract with them. They will have to honor this contract as will we.
Are you certain? Our dead MOU provided UAL with the ability to change the number of planes and routes (utililzation), contract duration and fees like the Godfather. All this authority is granted out of bankruptcy. Raw deal.
[/B][/QUOTE] You are still operating under a UAL contract. I think it's possible that United could decide you are their best option in IAD and honor the existing contract. [/B][/QUOTE]
Yonited cannot afford us and the 10 year contract that we are currently operating. ACA created "fee for departure" contracting for the sole purpose of accumulating a war chest and start-up fund. Our fees were nearly $300 more per departure than AWAC and nearly $600 more than SKW. If I remember correctly, about $3500, $3300 and $2800 respectively. Here is the "dirt" about flyi from aca-lounge:
According to Tom Moore, May first is the target launch date for Independence Air. This is not a hard date, but rather a soft date that is dependent on several variables, the largest of which is the release from our contract by UAL. He did state that it is okay if the date passes and we continue to operate into the summer, since it puts us closer to our Airbus delivery dates in the fall, and guarantees us revenue under our current agreement.
Considering a May first launch, the company currently expects a 3-5 month period of "draw down", during which aircraft will be pulled off of UAX flying and sent to paint/refurbishment, then added to the I-Air fleet. During this time, we will operate as both United Express and Independence. Station operations and flight attendants will probably only work for one side or the other, although there is the possibility that pilot flight crews could fly for both operations at the same time (ala SkyWest).
Once all of the aircraft are entered into service in I-Air colors, the company plans to ultimately rename the holding company (and all of it's applicable subsidiaries) to Independence Air. This includes changing our Nasdaq ticker symbol.
Management is currently in the final development of agreements with MWAA for gate and ticket counter space at IAD. Tom discussed the layout of ticket counters. Sounds like 14 ticket stations originally, located between Virgin Atlantic and Continental + 6 more on the back side (away from the road). These positions will be supplemented by 12-16 automated ticketing kiosks that will be located immediately infront of our counters. ACA recently signed an agreement with IBM to develop the equipment and programming to facilitate easy "self check-in".
The Jetstream 41 will stay in service (status quo) until the end of our contract with UAL. The company plans to do everything that they can to continue to operate these aircraft (19 lines of flying) with UAL for as long as possible. This is due to the fact that they are very cost effective. Transition for the pilots in the J41 will commence at the termination/transition from UAL. The company is aware that a surplus of pilots will exist, and is preparing financially and with regards to staffing, to "cover the gap" while these crew members are integrated into the rest of the fleets.
Tom also stated that at this time, the company doesn't forsee the need to conduct any further furloughs through the end of the year. In order for furloughs to be cost effective, it is the company's opinion that we need to furlough pilots for 6-8 months for it to be worthwhile as far as any beneficial impact that it might have on the company's bottom line. Likewise, Tom did not have a lot of optimisim that we would be recalling any of our furloughed pilots before the end of this year either. He did make a note the "flexibility is the key for the upcoming months".
Airbus deliveries are looking like tentatively being around labor day. The current plan (as of 6:31pm on the 15th... but it might change at 6:38) is for the company to receive delivery of 4-5 aircraft in 2004, then 1-1.5 aircraft a month through the remainder of the delivery schedule (currently 33 aircraft).
The company is currently planning on outfitting the aircraft with the same DirectTV package that is equipped on JetBlue aircraft, however advances in technology will permit our screens to be 1" larger than those on JetBlue planes. (Size does matter?). In addition, ACA is looking into the possiblity of XM satellite radio and pay per view movies onboard our flights.
Training will be conducted by Airbus. The initial instructor cadre, for initial training will be Airbus employees. I don't currently have any information about IOE. The program will most likely be a slightly adapted version of the Airbus factory FAR 142 program, edited to suit the needs and training timelines of ACA.
Because the first deliveries are not scheduled until later this year, the company does plan on launching Independence with an all CRJ fleet. Although this is not the most economically acceptable scenario, it will allow us to take advantage of the summer travel season, and work out some of the "kinks" of the new operation, prior to the arrival of a new fleet type.
Marketing for the new airline is slated to begin 60 days prior to the launch, possibly sooner in the Washington Dulles area. The company is working with several "marketing partners", such as Marriott and car rental companies to improve our marketing package. We are also looking into possible frequent traveler programs/options.
The new independent operation does NOT plan on code-sharing with other carriers due to the increased costs and labor requirements as well as the additional administrative issues involved with such a venture.
The company is working hard to identify the issues of our day to day operation. Tom Moore specifically noted that management has realized a need for each parking spot to have its own tug, headset, towbar, and baggage cart. It's a step in the right direction. He encouraged employees to bring forward their suggestions on streamlining and improving our operations.
The is still no new news about the future of the Dornier 328 program. The company expects that when the Airbuses come to property, the Delta pilots union (ALPA) will file for a temporary injunction to prohibit us from flying the 328's in service for DAL. There are several possiblities on which direction this could go in for our pilots and employees on the Delta side... I promise to post more information as I find it.
All in all, I think that Tom had a good message- the upper level management has set sights on the goal, now it is up to the rest of us to help make the culture change that we all talk about. 2004 will be a challenging year for us as a company and as employees.