Fuel for thought

[EyeInTheSky]

Oh not another PIT thread, but I think this is something that needs to be addressed given the fact that fuel prices have doubled within the year.

After last night's fiasco on Larry King Live -- Mary Schiavo brought up an important item -- FAA delays. How much time does US Airways spend on taxi ways waiting to take off in PHL? On Sunday night, I waited on the tarmac for two hours -- engines running --- for ATC delays. How much fuel was wasted? It's clear that the airlines focus on big cities is not only clogging the airways around these airports but is burning way more fuel than they can afford. It may be time to revisit cities with less congestion and quick runway access. FWIW, this isn't just about PIT.

Later,
Eye

 

[flyingcat]

Please for your sake let it go US makes more money with a delayed PHL flight then they can make with an on time PIT flight.

PIT used to make bank but not in today's environment. O&D is king and PHL trumps PIT easily. Same story on yield.

 

[luvthe9]

PIT is a dying city let it go in peace, best airport in the country though.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

If fuel keeps going up -- that's not going to be the case. Time to revisit other airports with connection friendly facilities that reduce fuel burn.

Later,
Eye

 

[EyeInTheSky]

PIT is a dying city let it go in peace, best airport in the country though.

It's ashame that you think that. Those of us that live there know its far from dying.

Later,
Eye

 

[luvthe9]

It's ashame that you think that. Those of us that live there know its far from dying.

Later,
Eye

I like the place but there is no O&D traffic I was based there 22 years, the public and news papers never said a good thing about USAir over all those years, kinda serves them right.

 

[giantfan]

My 2 cents...

Philly is a money maker, delays and all, it is a money maker...can't say the same about PIT. Unfortunately. I really liked flying in & out of PIT but it never made the $$$$ philly does.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

I like the place but there is no O&D traffic I was based there 22 years, the public and news papers never said a good thing about USAir over all those years, kinda serves them right.

Blame the people. You sound like management. Point blank, for many years the fares out of PIT bordered to the point of outright gouging. For example, PIT-PHL used to be over $800! I guess you can do that when you're the only game in town. However, that kind of strategy backfired -- so don't expect the locals to sing the company's praises. They have every right to be pissed at US Airways.

The point of this thread isn't just about PIT -- but other smaller cities like RDU, CVG, CLE, SLC, MEM. At what point do airlines consider putting some of their connections through these airports instead of the mega hubs? We're talking fuel going way up in price -- it has to be on the table.

Later,
Eye

 

[Elevation]

Two hour taxi delay is about 150-200 gallons of jet A or say $500 to make it an easy number. Philly yields make that up on four tickets vs. PIT. People that think airlines can conserve their way out of this fuel problem don't grasp the magnitude of the situation.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

Two hour taxi delay is about 150-200 gallons of jet A or say $500 to make it an easy number. Philly yields make that up on four tickets vs. PIT. People that think airlines can conserve their way out of this fuel problem don't grasp the magnitude of the situation.

$500? Are you basing that on fuel at $60 bucks a barrel? I agree this problem is way bigger than people realize. Point blank, I think every airline flying today will be half the size they are today or gone if oil continues to rise. There has to be a better way.

Later,
Eye

 

[luvthe9]

Blame the people. You sound like management. Point blank, for many years the fares out of PIT bordered to the point of outright gouging. For example, PIT-PHL used to be over $800! I guess you can do that when you're the only game in town. However, that kind of strategy backfired -- so don't expect the locals to sing the company's praises. They have every right to be pissed at US Airways.
Later,
Eye

It's called free market, YOU have the choice, and by the way flying should NOT be affordable for everyone, that's like saying we should all be able to afford a Rolls Royce. IMHO

 

[Dog Wonder]

Two hour taxi delay is about 150-200 gallons of jet A or say $500 to make it an easy number.

From the same oster who said Doug would be on Larry King last night.

Fire up the TIVO.

 

[bwipilot]

Two hour taxi delay is about 150-200 gallons of jet A or say $500 to make it an easy number.

You must fly Barbie jets. In a bigger airplane it's more like 20 lbs per minute (737), 1200 lbs/hour, 2400 lbs/2hour delay, 342 gals of Jet A for 2 hour delay, about $1000 of Jet A at today's prices. Of course, this assumes that the Captain is pissed off at the company and leaves both engines running--and if the pilots leave the APU running too it adds more to the cost.

Your rationale that PHL makes up the cost could more easily be applied to pilots: if you're pilots are happy and invested in the company, they'll more than make up for their pay differential in fuel savings.

 

[robbedagain]

I had heard that the reason we pulled out of PIT the way we did was because PIT Airport Authorities kept saying "we will have to do some environmental work for the engine testing facility can be built, while CLT told US at the time (1990s I think) it could have one ready for the airline within a year and a half and cheaper. Also When US wanted to increase at Pit the flights, the Pit AA told US they would have to see but CLT told US to go ahead with building up in CLT All this was told to us a few weeks ago by a guy who came to our station from Pit to review fuel books etc

 

[Old Guy]

I had heard that the reason we pulled out of PIT the way we did was because PIT Airport Authorities kept saying "we will have to do some environmental work for the engine testing facility can be built, while CLT told US at the time (1990s I think) it could have one ready for the airline within a year and a half and cheaper. Also When US wanted to increase at Pit the flights, the Pit AA told US they would have to see but CLT told US to go ahead with building up in CLT All this was told to us a few weeks ago by a guy who came to our station from Pit to review fuel books etc

h34r: Wrong. The old test cell was falling apart . The new one was built along with a Final assembly building. It could run ANY engine then and what was in the dream stages. The only problem was soft ware. Some bald tires didn't get rotated that time. And the FAA was down hard on the computer system. Then BK1. No money.
Iknow they closed the plating shop @ PSA. Do we still own the one in CLT? That would be another mistake if it is closed. But farm out is what they like. Don't need leadership to manage an 8130 !(Servicable parts tag ) And I flipped out when we getingt Jap JT-8 disks! now China is their mecca.