In my opinion, the crux of this thread is to discredit the messenger or belittle my; US Airways, and its employees, because United posters do not like my comments. To me it's clearly frustration when grown men and women have to "shoot the messenger" because of their inability to handle reality, however, let's set the facts straight, which is something some of the more prolific posters on this board do not do.
The comments listed below, now on the United board, that conform to USaviation’s rules and regulations, are a
direct result of Ukridge being sarcastic and a sophist who purposely misrepresented me with a vial attempt to inject humor, which I believe was in poor taste.
Furthermore, some observer’s would like me to reveal my sources, however, when I am told something in confidence I will never disclose their identity and destroy their trust. Thus, when uninformed people try to “shoot the messenger†or post-inaccurate information, I post public comments that support my argument(s).
Siegel regularly talks to employees and I believe he looks at me as a pilot leader. Just because some of our posters do not talk to their CEO, this shouldn't be considered unusual at US Airways.
Zman, I have a copy of both the United and US Airways ALPA contracts and it does not differentiate between the mainline and the LCO, therefore, you are mistaken. The new United pilot contract now uses the same ALPA Merger Policy language,
therefore, why did the United pilot group sign a contract that provides successorhip language that includes seniority integration for United to be fragmented?
In regard to Siegel’s comment about the airline viewed as a “super regionalâ€, Siegel is referring to a potential standalone business plan, but this network/fleet plan is not regional in scope and includes:
1. A contractual mainline fleet of 279 aircraft, excluding RJs, per the tables listed below:
Aircraft Type 2003 2011 (theoretical)
A330-300s 9 19
B767s 10 0
B757s 31 0
A321s 28 41
A320s 23 29 (1)
A319s 61 61
B737-400s 47 0
B737-300s 70 0
EMB-190/195s 0 129
Total 279 279
Potential B737 Fleet Replacement:
During the recent Regional Airline Association (RAA) conference in Phoenix, US Airways chief executive officer Dave Siegel said more than 100 US Airways Boeing 737-300/400 aircraft would be nearing the end of their useful life. Siegel noted the EMB-190/195 looks attractive for US Airways’ mainline operation as some of the airline’s older narrowbodies exit the fleet during the next five to 10 years.
Siegel told conference attendees that the company looked at the EMB-190/195 in its long-range plans and the airline is studying whether they can replace aging Boeing 737-300s and -400s on mainline routes.
The EMB-190LR has a maximum takeoff weight of 110,893 pounds, has a range of 2,300 nautical miles, and a dual class configuration of 8 first and 86-coach class seats (96 total) or 98 seats in a single class configuration.
The EMB-195LR has a maximum takeoff weight of 111,973 pounds, has a range of 1,800 nautical miles, and has a dual class configuration of 8 first and 98-coach class seats (106 total) or 116 seats in a single class configuration.
In relation to previous US Airways mainline aircraft, the F100 was configured for 8 first and 91-coach class seats (99 total) and had a maximum takeoff weight of 101,000 pounds, which is similar in scope to the EMB-190 and is smaller/lighter than the EMB-195.
According to Embraer, the commonality between the four aircraft is high: 89% between the Embraer 170/175 and the Embraer 190/195 and 95% between the Embraer 170 and the Embraer 175 as well as between the Embraer 190 and the Embraer 195, which would provide US Airways with additional cost savings.
Siegel said one big advantage of adding the larger Embraer RJs to the mainline fleet would be moving MidAtlantic Airways’ mainline pilots up without a heavy training burden because all four aircraft have a common type rating.
Siegel told Aviation Daily, "It’s premature to say we’re going to pursue that aircraft (EMB-190/195), but it was absolutely something we viewed as attractive and something that went into our calculus".
Potential B767/B757 Fleet Replacement:
US Airways has reached agreement with Airbus Industries for the airline to receive 29 Airbus aircraft in 2007 through 2009. The firm orders are for 10 A330-200s, 13 A321s, and 6 A320s. US Airways could opt to take delivery of these 29 new Airbus aircraft, plus other unspecified aircraft, to replace the aging 41 B767s/B757s before the end of the decade, provided US Airways remains independent and in its current structure.
Note (1) – US Airways and GECAS negotiated for 7 A320 family aircraft to be removed from service that were replaced by B737 aircraft. The A320 family aircraft could be returned to active service in the future.
Note (2) – The Hypothetical Mainline Fleet Plan listed above would leave the carrier with A330s, A320 family, and EMB aircraft, which would provide the company with two aircraft manufactures, both located outside of the U.S.
US Airways expects its mainline ASMs to remain static through 2004, however, RJ ASMs will be dramatically grown. The company’s new MidAtlatnic Airways (MAA) division will have 85 EMB-170/175 jets within 3 years and the network will have about 300 jets total.
According to Aviation Daily, executive vice president of corporate development and express operations Bruce Ashby told Aviation Daily he expects furloughed US Airways pilots to begin Embraer 170 training in July. The Daily reported breakeven load factor for the Embraer 170's flown under the MidAtlantic banner should be about 50%, Ashby said, noting, "We're pretty comfortable with that number."
MAA will represent 23% of the mainline operation -- as a separate division – and will immediately be profitable against low cost carriers. When combined with the mainline, the two divisions will have 364 mainline type jets plus about another 215 RJs deployed into the system.
US Airways can operate up to 465 RJs including MAA, but must maintain a minimum of 279 mainline aircraft.
In regard to the network, during the July 28 analyst conference call Ben Baldanza, senior vice president of marketing and planning said US Airways will end direct service from Pittsburgh to London Gatwick on October 28, however, the company is considering “bringing back the non-stop flights next summer.
Over time, management expects to grow transatlantic operations, principally from Philadelphia, and the Lufthansa agreement should have “greater opportunities due to Philadelphia,†Siegel said.
As RJs arrive the company expects to re-deploy mainline aircraft into long-haul markets. Mainline capacity will remain flat in 2003 and 2004, but there will be some route reallocations with seasonal growth opportunities into the Caribbean, Central America, and Europe.
Best regards,
Chip