NYT article on the Shutte

[Dont call me Shirley]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/07/nyregion...uttle.html?_r=1

US Airways to Pull Shuttle Crews From La Guardia and Boston


By PATRICK McGEEHAN
Published: December 6, 2009
Over the strenuous objections of its pilots, US Airways is proceeding with its plan to eliminate more than 250 jobs at La Guardia Airport, which has long been the nexus of the airline’s shuttle service in the Northeast.

The pilots’ union, the US Airline Pilots Association, is considering taking its plea to passengers as early as this week by warning the airline’s customers at La Guardia of potential risks to the shuttle’s once-vaunted reliability, Capt. James Ray, a spokesman for the union in Charlotte, N.C., said in an interview. Under US Airways’ plan, none of the crews and planes used for the shuttle routes between La Guardia and Boston and Washington will be based at La Guardia or Boston Logan Airport by the middle of next year.....


“Business travelers hate regional jets,â€￾ said Joe Brancatelli, editor of JoeSentMe

While he is not a fan of US, Joe B should know better than to equate an EMB-190 with a CRJ!

 

[BoeingBoy]

While he is not a fan of US, Joe B should know better than to equate an EMB-190 with a CRJ!

Probably hasn't ridden on a US E190...what's that saying...something about ignorance and bliss?

Of course, the author of the article didn't help. 99 seats in an all coach 2x2 configuration? Where in the world did that come from? SeatGuru, US' own website, and simple math says that is wrong.

Jim

[see, itestwell...I do defend US when the facts are in US' favor...]

 

[VAflyGal]

Probably hasn't ridden on a US E190...what's that saying...something about ignorance and bliss?

Of course, the author of the article didn't help. 99 seats in an all coach 2x2 configuration? Where in the world did that come from? SeatGuru, US' own website, and simple math says that is wrong.

Jim

[see, itestwell...I do defend US when the facts are in US' favor...]

I'm sorry but it's not a 319, and pretty soon I'm sure it will be crewed with Republic crews. What else can they take?

 

[LGA / 037]

Its unfortunate that the New York Times article seemed to start rumors of an Airways pull out of the Shuttle market due to the Delta / Airways transaction which has put many employees on both Mainline and Express on added edge and added uncertainty but neither has to do with the other. Whether the DOJ approves or disapproves the transaction the LGA base is closing 1/31/10. Yes another Mainline 250 + (Base closing) along with the 300 + Express employees (DL/US transaction) is not pretty but both are seperate deals unrelated and the LGA base closing with happen regardless along with LAS and BOS. Also Airways will still be operating the Shuttle regardless of the DL/US transaction DOJ approval. (for now)

P.S. Its pretty interesting how the dance steps keep happening as DL keeps the Big Plane (MD80) in the LGA/BOS market while using the EMB175 in the DCA market while Airways responds with the opposite.

 

[BoeingBoy]

I'm sorry but it's not a 319, and pretty soon I'm sure it will be crewed with Republic crews. What else can they take?

For it to happen "pretty soon" there has to either be a negotiated amendment to the transition agreement or a joint contract allowing an affiliate carrier to operate aircraft that size for US.

Jim

 

[FlyOnWall]

I'm sorry but it's not a 319, and pretty soon I'm sure it will be crewed with Republic crews. What else can they take?

The E190 has wider and more comfortable seats than a 319 and no middle seat, plus headrests. It's very popular with customers. Delta uses Delta Connection E175s with 12 First and 64 coach on LGA-DCA Shuttle.

Republic cannot fly E190s under US Airways Express, in fact no one can, if they are on US property they are mainline. I also believe the Shuttle routes (at US) are protected and only allowed to be operated by mainline.

This article has a graph of load factors for US Airways Shuttle and Delta Shuttle on the LGA-BOS route.

US Airways to Place E190s on Boston-LaGuardia route

 

[VAflyGal]

Republic cannot fly E190s under US Airways Express, in fact no one can, if they are on US property they are mainline. I also believe the Shuttle routes (at US) are protected and only allowed to be operated by mainline.


So where is Republic going to utilize the 10 190s they are getting from us in January and under what name are they going to operate?

 

[BoeingBoy]

So where is Republic going to utilize the 10 190s they are getting from us in January and under what name are they going to operate?

Where - I don't know all the routes if that's what you mean but primarily out of DEN and MKE. On the other hand, if you mean which airlines it's already as Frontier and/or Midwest _____ (whatever each of those call their express type operation) for the planes that have already been transferred. The remainder of the 10 will be doing the same. At Midwest, Republic and Frontier are already doing all the flying - it's still labeled Midwest but the Midwest crews are all losing their jobs by the end of the year at the latest and may have already since Midwest isn't doing any flying on it's own certificate now.

Jim

 

[john john]

it's still labeled Midwest but the Midwest crews are all losing their jobs by the end of the year at the latest and may have already since Midwest isn't doing any flying on it's own certificate now.

Jim

We will see how the new law on airline mergers plays out in this one

 

[john john]

Probably hasn't ridden on a US E190...what's that saying...something about ignorance and bliss?

Of course, the author of the article didn't help. 99 seats in an all coach 2x2 configuration? Where in the world did that come from? SeatGuru, US' own website, and simple math says that is wrong.

Jim

[see, itestwell...I do defend US when the facts are in US' favor...]

The routs are express slots being surrendered ALPA USSAP IBT APA the unions that represent the pilots of the country need to define what an express aircraft is. Management has found a loop hold and has beat mainline in to submission. I am sure management would love to EXPRESS the shuttle inch by inch LIKE THEY HAVE EVERY THING ELSE
This might be the underling message

 

[BoeingBoy]

the unions that represent the pilots of the country need to define what an express aircraft is.

Still wanting - no, make that demanding that the pilots be responsible for everyone else's job, I see. Maybe the unions representing the FA's, agents, mechanicas, ramp, etc need to negotiate scope language to protect their own jobs...

Jim

 

[VAflyGal]

We will see how the new law on airline mergers plays out in this one

Will someone please fill me in on the "new law" ? TY

 

[john john]

Still wanting - no, make that demanding that the pilots be responsible for

The type of equipment they fly and other words SCOPE

 

[Travelpro72]

Well N961UW is already flying for Republic in Midwest colors. Sad :angry:

 

[BoeingBoy]

The type of equipment they fly and other words SCOPE

The pilot's scope language has always only protected the pilots - nothing in it has ever said that agents, mechanics, rampers, etc have to be employed by mainline (remember those "Expressed" outstations, offshore res and outsourced maintenance). What you are demanding is that the pilots include scope protection for other employee groups. Why don't you demand that your union negotiate scope language for all those other employees? There's nothing keeping any union from attempting to do that.

Maybe because it's just easier to blame the pilots, isn't it?

Jim