60 Mainline Jets?

[marco90821]

Does anybody have any knowledge that if the 60 mainline jets Siegel spoke about refers to large jets? Even though MAA is part of mainline, it is still Express...so if Siegel spoke of adding 60 mainline, wouldn't he have to mean large jets...319s,320s,321s, etc?

 

[robbedagain]

According to last week's edition of USA Today, the article stated that seigel wanted 60 more mainline jets because he had talked about adding more domestic service.
wether or not it comes true remains to be seen. please stay tuned!

 

[delldude]

i thought it was a "if i get work rule changes"carrot...

 

[firstamendment]

i thought it was a "if i get work rule changes"carrot...

DellDude

You hit the nail on the head. I can here it now...if you give up $300 million more, we will add 60 airplanes...just to go back on his word after getting the concessions...oh, I forgot the we have a choice line that states we can either grow or shrink going the way of past airlines or be a big airline. Same old song and grace.

 

[USFlyer]

I believe Siegel has already stated that he considers the EMB-190 to be a mainline plane as well.

 

[a320av8r]

EMB-190 is not even built yet.

 

[Twicebaked]

I believe Siegel has already stated that he considers the EMB-190 to be a mainline plane as well.

Hey,

If the "mainline" employees get paid "mainline" wages to fly the EMB 190 why would we complain? If it brings back our brothers/sisters that were furloughed bring it on.

As for MAA it is a DIVISION not part of mainline.
It only shares the same Cert. at the moment.
That is supposed to change by the 1st quarter of 2004.

 

[delldude]

I believe Siegel has already stated that he considers the EMB-190 to be a mainline plane as well.

he made reference in the media about integrating them into mainline possibly in 7 or 8 years as the 37's go away.
very interesting timing if i may say so...if we're still here,its when the mechanics contract will become negotiable again...would anyone like to wager if doing them in house will be an issue? :blink:

 

[Flying Titan]

If Siegel's talking about adding planes in 2004, then it can't be the EMB 190. I believe that plane will not be ready for delivery until 2005. However, I think the 190 would be a smart move if the timing is right. So far, all I've seen is rave reviews of the 170/190 series for its room, comfort and economics. Personally, I'm somewhat partial to the Boeing 717. It's a very quiet and comfortable ride and I believe Boeing still makes the most durable product in the industry. The only question I have is whether it can compete with the economics of the Embraer. I haven't seen a comparison. Also, it would mean adding yet another fleet type, probably not the best scenario.

If CCY is looking to add planes in 2004, then A-319s would seem to make the most sense. There are plenty available, they're versatile and they would fit right into the fleet.

As for what concessions Siegel will seek...... I'd be surprised if he asks for another penny in pay cuts. Even CCY seems to understand that there's not much left to cut there and that could start a revolt big enough to sink the airline. That leaves work rules. The question is what can still be done - and what can still be stomached. I guess we'll all find out soon enough. Good luck.

 

[A320 Driver]

Well...the big buzz word from the management types is "productivity". No specifics given, however they seem fond of demonizing our duty rigs. In our contract we have several "protections" or "rigs" to keep the company from making us sit around for no pay. We relaxed these rigs in a prior contract settlement and again in the restructuring agreements. All that accomplished for us was cause us to work an extra 4 to 5 days per month for absolutly NO pay. When we report for duty, we are on the hook for 14 hours of duty and 8 hours of flight time. It's not our fault OR problem that the company can't schedule us effectivly to up our utilization. Our route system is so chopped up these days that effective crew and or aircraft utilization is a real problem. But I for one am not interested in spending more time away from my family just so the company can continue to schedule inefficiently. I'm completly willing and frankly prefer that the company use me to the greatest extent possible on my trips...but that doesn't include sitting around PHL for 3!/2 hours every time I pass through there.

A320 Driver B)

 

[Hope777]

Twice...As long as it's Mainline pay. You hit the nail on the head, because if it's Mainline Express they can kiss my A$$.

 

[Light Years]

I think the one thing Dave and I have in common is excitement over the Embraer 170/190 product family, and the feeling that it will be the next big revolution (70-90 seat market, high comfort, low costs).

However, even if the 190 and 195 were available (they are not yet, I don't think the 175 even is yet), we should make sure the 170 is everything it promised to be first. Fortunatly, reports so far indicate its "all that and a bag of chips" but you still have to be careful... remember the Fairchild 328JET seemed great at first too, and I'm sure everyone is glad now that they did not order them.

That said, I am wondering if aside from work rules, scope will be one of the concessions they ask for? So that 190/195s could be operated by MAA? A 100 seat MAA EMB195 would be a formidable competitor to any LCC.

I hope the mainline fleet grows by 60 Airbuses (Light Years returns to work! 🙂 ), I'm trying to figure out where they would go... If they are definatly additional and not replacement, thats alot of capacity- 333 airplanes. Yes, we have lost over a hundred in the past couple of years, but we also lost the BWI hub, MetroJet, Focus city-Florida flying, and alot of transcon frequencies. Where do they go in our "shadow of former selves" network? Not back to the Elmiras and Ithacas of the world to further shorten our stage length ? Maybe expansion into Central America or the West- I dont think our current hubs support sixty planes worth of that? And how much point to point can they do without dilluting our already weak hubs (remember Metrojet)? Maybe, just maybe actual growth outside of the usual box?I'm eager to find out how and where they will be deployed if they come to fruition.

 

[HogDriver]

The EMB-190 series would make a nice replacement to the existing fleet of older 737's, but that is a down the road replacement idea as the fleet times out. The 60 new jets are needed to increase revenue now. It is a shame it has taken this long for the leadership of the company to figure out things like maybe rolling hubs are needed in PHL....Duh, and that shrinking the airline while cutting costs doesn't work too well. We need more point to point markets...places we don't fly now, and adding new Airbus jets, while asking for more give-backs, seems to be the plan. The question is....is there enough time to once again do what should have been done years ago.

 

[USA320Pilot]

The EMB-190 is in the development stage and will not be delivered to the first customer for over two years.

The 60 additional aircraft will be A320 family aircraft, with 30 delivered in 2004 and 30 in 2005. The intent is to increase utilization of facilities, employees, and aircraft to average down unit costs to a level that would permit RASM would exceed CASM.

Regards,

Chip

 

[HogDriver]

Chip

Are you hearing that these 60 Airbus Jets are new from the factory? Or already out there with some other order or carrier?