JetClipper said:
What exactly is this new strategy? If it's simply cutting fares to match the low-cost carriers, forget about it! They have the resources to weather a fare war much better than US (from their standpoint, they may as well let US cut it's wrists and bleed itself to death).
From the tid-bits we've heard, the new strategy seems to be shaping up this way:
~ PIT becomes a "focus city" rather than connecting hub
~ PHL becomes a rolling hub
~ Renewed focus on point-to-point service from LGA/BOS/DCA
~ New, more rational fare structure, currently being test at SYR
~ New reduced labor costs, via these concessions.
While I beleive these are all prudent moves, the questions remains as to how substantial the changes will be. For example, the renewed focus on LGA/BOS/DCA. If this means just adding more ILM, TYS, and SAV type markets nonstop, I would call that an non-substantial change. If the renewed focus on LGA/BOS/DCA results in service to ORD, DTW, and DFW, well that would be a substantial change. Same for PIT, if PIT remains largely in tact, with a few mainline jets being downgraded to E170's, that is not a substantial change. If PIT loses most of its feeder network, and only has service to Florida, the NE, LAX/SFO, and other UAL/USAir hubs, then I would call that substantial. For this, we must wait and see.
Also, I think there are a few "unaddressed" pieces of the puzzle:
~ Fleet rationalization
~ Express carrier rationalization
~ US Airways role in Star*
We will have to see if we hear any tid-bits about these items, or maybe these get worked out as the implemented changes begin to work (or not work) as a Phase 2. We'll have to wait and see here too.
* my comment here is that while US Airways is in Star, with its hubs at PHL and CLT, its difficult to see it becoming an intricate part of the Star network. Do more Star members add PHL as a gateway? Does US Airways return to JFK to provide feed to Star? Does BOS become a key US Airways/Star transfer point? All things which have not yet been spelled out.