Reason To Cutback Flights In PIT?

[Be Careful What You Wish For.]

A thoughtful post with cogent what ifs.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

Yeah, it sucks living here and not being able to non rev, but it is what it is....a dead city.

Say what? You got some 'splain' to do.

Later,
Eye

 

[a320av8r]

Yeah, it sucks living here and not being able to non rev, but it is what it is....a dead city.

Rust In Peace.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

Rust In Peace.

Bubba, have another moonshine.

Later,
Eye

 

[StressFreeFBO]

It would take someone who was innovative and creative though and those types are few are far to be found in this industry. Hell, if Skybus thinks they can turn CMH into a profit center flying into Exit 161 on I-75 in Florida then I think theres someone who thinks PIT could be a hub.

I think you just summed up all US's problems in the area. I've lurked the boards for years and all I read is posts from royally pissed off and betrayed employees. I believe the lifers who have lost pensions, given up pay, etc., etc., have every right to embrace bitterness.

However... greatness requires risks taken by creative, positive thinkers. Even if and no matter how (or how many times) they've been wronged.

Southwest may be expanding and profitable, but even they are flirting dangerously close to red ink and employee malaise.

Think positive.

(And bring on the flames... you cranky old farts [~sarcasm~] h34r: )

 

[USFlyer]

You have a certain # of planes in the fleet. Management's job is to use them on the most profitable routes possible. Even if PIT is profitable, there might be other markets more worthwhile pursuing that will yield even greater profits. It's business. If the planes will make more $s flying routes out of PHL, DCA, PHX, LAS, etc., then that's where they should be used.

 

[ClueByFour]

You have a certain # of planes in the fleet. Management's job is to use them on the most profitable routes possible. Even if PIT is profitable, there might be other markets more worthwhile pursuing that will yield even greater profits. It's business. If the planes will make more $s flying routes out of PHL, DCA, PHX, LAS, etc., then that's where they should be used.

So, when do the planes get yanked out of PHX and LAS and deployed to more profitable eastern routes?

Nobody has answered this question.

The difference, is that while AWA may have made a tiny bit of money with bottom of the barrel wages, once depressed past AWA level the east makes buckets of money with AWA wages.

So, again--when is the equipment coming east?

 

[Jayt0n]

So, again--when is the equipment coming east?

If people hate USAirways and swears they will never fly them, then why would you expect them to stay at Pittsburgh?

The Pittsburgh passengers are getting what they asked for: Low fares, good customer service, good inflight entertainment, ETC.

 

[Be Careful What You Wish For.]

So, again--when is the equipment coming east?

Maybe they should be deployed to Charleston WV.

Talking in circles is an excercise in futility.

 

[JAMAKE1]

So, when do the planes get yanked out of PHX and LAS and deployed to more profitable eastern routes?

Nobody has answered this question.

The difference, is that while AWA may have made a tiny bit of money with bottom of the barrel wages, once depressed past AWA level the east makes buckets of money with AWA wages.

So, again--when is the equipment coming east?

Clue:

I will speak to this. Perhaps, the LAS and PHX operations operate at a slight loss, BUT, their operations contribute to USAirways' overall profit margin. In essence, the western operations add to the company's contribution margin. So while as stand-alone cities, or hub operations, they may not be profitable, the critical mass (passenger traffic) that is generated by the western operations and then funneled through PHL or CLT, add to the company's overall bottom line. It's probably no different than United's operations along the west coast. As a stand-alone operation, UA's west coast route system, I would venture to guess, likely may not be a profitable operation, but the west coast route network contributes to the overall success (profit margin) of United's international hubs in LAX and SFO. UA's hub operations in SFO and LAX are an example of two hubs within close geographic proximity that do actually make sense to operate, because of California's vast geographical size and population base (large O&D numbers in both regions). The same cannot be said for PIT and PHL. Perhaps, over time, USAirways may even re-evaluate the need for both PHX and LAS as hubs, and you will possibly see some assets redeployed eastward.

 

[Pacemaker]

How often are those "profitable east coast routes" really profitable for the company. During the very peak of the business cycle. 2/3 of the years since the 80's are losing years for USAir. The company lost 5 billion dollars between 1989 and the merger announcement flying those "profitable east coast routes". Nearly a million dollars a day, every day, for a decade-and-a-half. The formula of building a mature airline around short-haul routes in the northeast as been proven beyond all reasonable doubt to be a failed business model.

 

[USFlyer]

The formula of building a mature airline around short-haul routes in the northeast as been proven beyond all reasonable doubt to be a failed business model.

If that's the case, this only lends credence to downsizing PIT further.

 

[flygirl74]

I love it. No answers or facts to provide me, so I am a koolaid drinker. That never gets old. Just because I am asking for you to produce FACTS that HP lost lotsa $$$ in the West last quarter does not make me a koolaid drinker. Produce the undisputed facts, and I will go back to my koolaid.

Sounds like another last ditch defense from a 'burgher hangin' on by a thread....

why don't you watch the crew news session in PHX (I forget which one but maybe 2-3 back) with the pilots. One PHX pilot asks Doug why "since the merger we have not made a profit in a SINGLE QUARTER??" Funny, your pilots seem to know it.....
CLINK CLINK CLINK (spoon stirring new batch of koolaid)

 

[urbff]

So how is it "east" is making all the money after the merger and "west" is not. "East" was not before....they were days away from closing the doors it was so bad. How did they suddenly become the big money makers? What changed?

 

[rjh]

why don't you watch the crew news session in PHX (I forget which one but maybe 2-3 back) with the pilots. One PHX pilot asks Doug why "since the merger we have not made a profit in a SINGLE QUARTER??" Funny, your pilots seem to know it.....
CLINK CLINK CLINK (spoon stirring new batch of koolaid)

haven't made profit in a single quarter? hmmm .interesting. According to the most recent 10-Q report filed with the SEC:

America West Airline, Inc.
Operating Income, 6 months ended June 30, 2007: 22 million
Net income, 6 months ended June 30, 2007: 48 million

Operating income, 6 months ended June 30, 2006: 144 million
Net income, 6 monsh ended June 30, 2006: 127 million

Didn't know it was mathematically possible to have a loss every quarter, yet show a profit for the first half . .

Honestly th ough ..it doesn't realy matter which "side" the profit comes from. If the east has the entier profit, that does not mean they would be profitable as a standalone company right now.