US AIRWAYS FAN
Senior
I think what was meant above was the Republic deal has nothing to do with the Shuttle. Not the slots themselves.
DL goes after US Shuttle Customers-and adds F to Shuttle Fleet PLUS...
- Thread starter Art at ISP
- Start date
US is selling some NY slots...
here's the article what does that mean for our shuttle?? will we keep it??
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNew...lBrandChannel=0
Correct. Republic bought "commuter" slots, which the DOT allows to be used for planes up to 70-72 seats. (The seat limit was increased from 50 to the 70s during Siegel's days.)
Art I don't you will get your wish ....many have tried but but the slots we have are hard to beat and most fares on the shuttle don't have that move up fee so they can get on any flight.
Very ambiguous.
Is the total (shuttle?) revenue down 16%, are fares down 16% or is revenue per seat mile down 16%? or a combination of such? You said "revenue" but that means different things to different people, even within the same industry.
If ridership is down, perhaps Tempe should consider their competition (trains, automobiles?) and offer a better product, internet access, workstations, whatever. After all, the user has likely planned a multi-segment and hectic day, cab rides, van connections and whatever. Perhaps the airline can charge a premium and recapture revenue by simplifying a potential rider's journey.
PA18
Senior
- Aug 12, 2004
- 398
- 9
Bob, et al.,
This may be completely non-germane to this discussion, but it struck me as interesting with regard to how DL apparently still thinks appearance is important in customer perception.
The NW pilots have a similar uniform policy as those of US; they are allowed to wear leather jackets from a company-approved vendor, and hats are optional. My friends who work at NW inform me that as part of their DL "assimilation", not only have they already been fitted for their double-breasted uniform jackets, but they will once again be required to wear hats when they switch to the DL uniform.
Not only that, but they will no longer be allowed to wear the leather jackets. But here's the interesting part; any NW pilot who purchased an approved leather jacket may send the jacket -- or proof of purchase of the jacket if it were lost, damaged, or stolen -- back to the company for a full reimbursement of the purchase price.
So here is an airline, chasing business travelers (as opposed to chasing them away), that is so conscious of its image, that it is willing to spend money to maintain it.
And yes, we've heard all the "If they want me to look professional, they can pay me like a professional" and "The Kettles only care about a $69 fare to Vegas, not what the pilot looks like" arguments, and those arguments have merit.
I was merely pointing out that customer perception is apparently still important at one of US's major competitors.
OP
Art at ISP
Veteran
- Thread Starter
- Thread starter
- #25
I just read on Brancatelli that annual shuttle ridership is down almost 2 million over 12 months (from about 5.3 million to 3.2 annual). This is for all shuttles between DCA-LGA-BOS. That is a telling figure.
I think the need for a dedicated shuttle product has come and gone at this point, since there are no more extra sections, and there is little if any premium revenue to be had any more. The fleet simplification for DL is a savings for them, and frankly long overdue.
Time will tell, but I think the landscape is going to continue to change, and faster than it has in past.
I think the need for a dedicated shuttle product has come and gone at this point, since there are no more extra sections, and there is little if any premium revenue to be had any more. The fleet simplification for DL is a savings for them, and frankly long overdue.
Time will tell, but I think the landscape is going to continue to change, and faster than it has in past.
BoeingBoy
Veteran
- Nov 9, 2003
- 16,512
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- Banned
- #26
As long as they use a dedicated fleet at least on a day to day basis (call it a dedicated fleet for the day). By that I mean an airplane would fly nothing but Shuttle flights on a given day, even though it may fly elsewhere in the system the day before or after.
It's hard enough to operate a timely Shuttle product when one of the airports involved is among the three most delayed in the country. Having a plane just fly one or two Shuttle segments during a day, but subject to delays elsewhere in the system the rest of that day, is just asking for more trouble.
Jim
Can they ride the airport hotel van with other people?
With out a dedicated Shuttle fleet DL may see a reliablity drop for shuttle flights. Right now every shuttle aircraft gets a layover check every night. DL aircraft need a Layover check once every five days or when ever they overnight at a MTC station. The Shuttles get looked at every night. I work both the dedicated Shuttle fleet and mainline MD88. The shuttle aircraft have a lot less problems. That reliablity will be lost.
you wont get an answer on that ...
but in the past year or so... they have to ride with us common folk!! LOL
