Announcements at Earnings?

[PHX PHLyer]

Do you think there will be any significant announcements during the Earnings Report? I don't have a memory as to whether they usually announce new initiatives, routes, etc., but it seems like during the conference calls, media questions, and employee sessions that some news should be made public.

So do you think they will announce or give updates on any of the following?

1. Where the A340-300s will be coming from and when they will arrive

2. The gate situation with WN and DL in Philadelphia

3. New international destinations for next summer (kind of depends on number 2, though)

4. Specifics on the "new revolutionary IFE system"

5. More details on the refurbishment of existing aircraft (including IFE timetable, 757 Hawaii/Europe configurations, anything else in that dept)

6. More details on the expanded service inflight


Feel free to add any more, but for those of you who claim to have inside info, you are welcome to address whether these will be announced

 

[Squonk]

:unsure: Maybe $246,000,000 give or take $43,000,000

Stiff rises in crude oil, nagging problems with QIK software, work force continuity problems, impotent DOT rankings and overall cruddy service issues, will surpress the true earnings potential.


Hey, but we are still.....

 

[autofixer]

I heard from a 330 check airman...no 340s. St. Nic saw to that, making the pilot logistics impossible. Who knows and I could care-a-less if we ever go to China.

Any profits are on the backs of the East employees and our bankruptcy give backs to management. I am not impressed by anything reported...it comes from our wallets anyway.

 

[vantheman63]

This will be an interesting report....

First, there's little doubt the profit will be good. Right now, given the current industry environment, profits are possible for even sub-par airlines because of capaicty rationale as well as "demand management."

To see how the company is performing, one would have to look far beyond the front bottom line numbers. Specifically:

> Yields. Are they rising or shrinking? My guess is that they are shrinking. I'm absolutely not the only CP that's bolted. Far from it.

> CASMs. Related to Yield for sure...but whats happening to costs..and then dialing into that. Running an airline that features the highest complaint rate of any carrier for an extended time is VERY expensive. I remember when "the old US" was in trouble...and some of those costs came to light. For example, getting luggage back to its rightful owner was very expensive. But takinga peak at the past 8 quarters of CASMs would be an interesting study.

Another thing that would be interesting to see is "revenue by channel." In other words, where is the revenue coming from? What chunk is from USAirways.com? What part is coming from travel agents? Consolidators? My brother is a Prieline.com whore...and tells me that's the one place he would always buy a US ticket....because they are always readily available and less expensive.

The numbers the SEC requires won't have that kind of detail, but looking at a detailed income statement and balance sheet would provide some clues.

The management team has continued to insist that VFFers are solid, staying and growing. Unless there are just LOADS of people out there lying about their disgust and distrust of US, it's impossible for me to believe it.

As for the other questions the OP posted....specifically about the IFE, refurbishment, etc....well, they've been telling us all, VFFers and employees alike I guess, that these things have been on their radar screen.....for many months now. Who cares what they say they are going to do when they say they are going to do it. So far, they've exhibited a willingness to strip and rip the nice things, and leave in tact the stupidity.

For example, I took pics of the CLT club last week with MANY torn and ripped chairs. I forwarded them to The Sand Castle...and reminded them, before they could tell me about how the Old US left them dilapitated (like the slop they tried to sell people on the condition of the Envoy cabins)...that they had ZERO trouble finding the time and money to (a.) strip airplanes and (b.) destroy what little comfort there was in coach FAST. Someone actually called me...and said, "it's budgeted." I said, right...like re-furbished aircraft...and glassware...and the list goes on and on. And I reminded him low long it took to find money "budgeted" to pull the A321/A320 aircraft out of service and strip them....to which he could only say, "priorities."

I wouldn't be looking for anything more then the contiued BS we've been getting from the Sand Castle...but if one knows how to read a Financial Statement and can get their hands on a detailed statement...there will be truthful clues in there.

 

[N965VJ]

<SNIP> For example, I took pics of the CLT club last week with MANY torn and ripped chairs.

You should post those pictures in a separate thread here.

Maybe they’ll install a video poker machine to take your mind off the condition of the Club.

 

[nycbusdriver]

I heard from a 330 check airman...no 340s. St. Nic saw to that, making the pilot logistics impossible. Who knows and I could care-a-less if we ever go to China.

Any profits are on the backs of the East employees and our bankruptcy give backs to management. I am not impressed by anything reported...it comes from our wallets anyway.

Interesting. When I was at the CLT training center last month, the Flight Crew Training Instructors said that their employee group had already bid and been awarded A340 ground instructor slots and already had their class dates to learn the airplane.

Why are pilot logistics impossible? The route award was out of PHL. Last time I checked, there are lots of USAirways pilots based there who are very capable of operating the airplanes. If the company wants to staff the cockpit, I suggest they open bids at the appropriate time and see if they get any takers. My guess, they will. The west pilots have made it clear that none of them wants to come east of the Mississippi, so what's the problem?

 

[john john]

Last time I checked, there are lots of USAirways pilots based there who are very capable of operating the airplanes. If the company wants to staff the cockpit, I suggest they open bids at the appropriate time and see if they get any takers. My guess, they will. The west pilots have made it clear that none of them wants to come east of the Mississippi, so what's the problem?

Does HP/US contracts have a pay rate for the A340

 

[zethya]

I heard from a 330 check airman...no 340s. St. Nic saw to that, making the pilot logistics impossible. Who knows and I could care-a-less if we ever go to China....

That is hard (impossible) to believe. If US gave up the China route - the most prestigious catch since Rome, they may as well fold up their tent and kiss any resemblance to a true international carrier - and their reputation with the DOT, good bye. Why on earth would Parker even consider such a move, especially since he has provisions in the current Airbus agreement to acquire 340s new as a backup plan to 2nd source? The alternative aircraft capable of flying the route is a 777-200ER/LR or 300ER and currently only 3-200s are available on the open market - which do not have the range. The only way I could ever see US canceling it's search for the 340s is if there is a consolidation in the works which would transfer the route to the surviving airline (with existing capable aircraft), or to a previously designated alternate DOT city pair (of the surviving carrier). The only US carrier which will have 787s available for the route in the next 17 months will be NW - unless Boeing further delays deliveries. In any event if Parker has really decided to stop searching for capable aircraft (and consequently give up the route), he surely must divulge this fact to the SEC now - as a significant event. I believe this rumor is all hog wash from the peanut gallery.

 

[Elevation]

autofixer is pulling your leg or being lied to, the A340's are coming weather the East MEC plays or not.

 

[Atlantic]

I agree with Elivation. The 340's will be here when we need them. I'm sure this was agreed to with Airbus when we placed the latest Airbus order. May have been a side letter to the agrement, but the a/c will be here.
However, these a/c will be parked in the de-icing ramp at PHL untill the East has a rate for them.

 

[airportman]

I agree with Elivation. The 340's will be here when we need them. I'm sure this was agreed to with Airbus when we placed the latest Airbus order. May have been a side letter to the agrement, but the a/c will be here.
However, these a/c will be parked in the de-icing ramp at PHL untill the East has a rate for them.

It will not take long to get a rate the 330/340 share like the 319/320/321........the 340 is a slightly smaller 330 with 4 engines. now thats put in laymans terms but you get the picture.

 

[john john]

now thats put in laymans terms but you get the picture.

YEP! WHIPSAWING aka carrot chasing and dangling

 

[PHLfa88]

This will be an interesting report....

First, there's little doubt the profit will be good. Right now, given the current industry environment, profits are possible for even sub-par airlines because of capaicty rationale as well as "demand management."

To see how the company is performing, one would have to look far beyond the front bottom line numbers. Specifically:

> Yields. Are they rising or shrinking? My guess is that they are shrinking. I'm absolutely not the only CP that's bolted. Far from it.

> CASMs. Related to Yield for sure...but whats happening to costs..and then dialing into that. Running an airline that features the highest complaint rate of any carrier for an extended time is VERY expensive. I remember when "the old US" was in trouble...and some of those costs came to light. For example, getting luggage back to its rightful owner was very expensive. But takinga peak at the past 8 quarters of CASMs would be an interesting study.

Another thing that would be interesting to see is "revenue by channel." In other words, where is the revenue coming from? What chunk is from USAirways.com? What part is coming from travel agents? Consolidators? My brother is a Prieline.com whore...and tells me that's the one place he would always buy a US ticket....because they are always readily available and less expensive.

The numbers the SEC requires won't have that kind of detail, but looking at a detailed income statement and balance sheet would provide some clues.

The management team has continued to insist that VFFers are solid, staying and growing. Unless there are just LOADS of people out there lying about their disgust and distrust of US, it's impossible for me to believe it.

As for the other questions the OP posted....specifically about the IFE, refurbishment, etc....well, they've been telling us all, VFFers and employees alike I guess, that these things have been on their radar screen.....for many months now. Who cares what they say they are going to do when they say they are going to do it. So far, they've exhibited a willingness to strip and rip the nice things, and leave in tact the stupidity.

For example, I took pics of the CLT club last week with MANY torn and ripped chairs. I forwarded them to The Sand Castle...and reminded them, before they could tell me about how the Old US left them dilapitated (like the slop they tried to sell people on the condition of the Envoy cabins)...that they had ZERO trouble finding the time and money to (a.) strip airplanes and (b.) destroy what little comfort there was in coach FAST. Someone actually called me...and said, "it's budgeted." I said, right...like re-furbished aircraft...and glassware...and the list goes on and on. And I reminded him low long it took to find money "budgeted" to pull the A321/A320 aircraft out of service and strip them....to which he could only say, "priorities."

I wouldn't be looking for anything more then the contiued BS we've been getting from the Sand Castle...but if one knows how to read a Financial Statement and can get their hands on a detailed statement...there will be truthful clues in there.

SLOP? I Happen To Think The Food We Serve In Envoy Class Is Pretty Damn Good! SLOP Is Something An Animal (PIG) Eats Out Of A Troff! So Your Saying Your An Animal? Err ( ) Fill In The Blanks! :blink:

 

[US1YFARE]

SLOP? I Happen To Think The Food We Serve In Envoy Class Is Pretty Damn Good! SLOP Is Something An Animal (PIG) Eats Out Of A Troff! So Your Saying Your An Animal? Err ( ) Fill In The Blanks! :blink:

well, I have seen barns that are cleaner than your planes. And what you serve in Envoy is not even close to your competitors. On US, you pay more for less.

 

[vantheman63]

SLOP? I Happen To Think The Food We Serve In Envoy Class Is Pretty Damn Good! SLOP Is Something An Animal (PIG) Eats Out Of A Troff! So Your Saying Your An Animal? Err ( ) Fill In The Blanks! :blink:

Uhhhh....what in the HELL are you talking about???

LOL

Not sure where that came from....

BUT, if you think the food you serve in "Envoy" is "pretty damn good," then.....well, that leaves me wondering what you would think of CO or UA....