AC A340-500s almost a done deal

[FWAAA]

This post is at best laughable.

Agreed - given the hilarious topic (that LCC has a serious shot at obtaining next year's China designation and authorities), many of the posts here are laughable. Acquiring Air Canada's castoffs won't suddenly qualify US to initiate service to China. 😀

 

[AP Tech]

Yep,lets keep standardizing the fleet!!! Or perhaps they are looking into a "wet lease" deal where Air Canada flt crews will fly them? 😛 That would save the company some $$.

 

[EMBFA]

Whats with this crazy weather, Person Says

How about those Eagles, Person Says

LOL! What a bizarre title

 

[mbmbbost]

Nice to know that according to this story, US Airways' largest planes are 767's. I was under the illusion that the 330's were bigger. 😛

ps..why didn't the OP just add this story to the relevant topic already in the forum? Nevermind.....I just find it annoying..

 

[JMM]

US has such an aversion to widebodies (which I have never understood) that I would be shocked to see this happen. Of course with the traffic between hubs maybe we should throw some widebodies on those routes.....oh never mind, that is what real airlines do!

 

[BuffaloJoe]

Whats with this crazy weather, Person Says

How about those Eagles, Person Says

LOL! What a bizarre title

A person says its a beautiful day.
A person buys a first class ticket on United.
A person goes to the grocery store.
A person go to Pat's Steak's in Philly for a Cheese Steak.
A person drives drunk in Scottsdale.
A person is in charge of IT Dept. in Tempe.
A person just lost his job in Baltimore.
A Person can't afford to buy a $55 breakfast.
A person is currently flying an Airbus to Los Angeles.
A person is changing a baby's diaper.
A person is buying tickets to see The Police.
A person just bought some Cocaine.
A person just ordered a Big Mac.
A person just entered the United States from Canada.
A person is on their way to Las Vegas for the weekend.
A person is talking on their cellphone while driving to the Airport.
A person has just been convicted of Saying US has a quality FC Product.
A person just flew HP to Phoenix, is now entering a mental hospital.
A person is screwing the people over in the White House.
A person just ordered a Tangueray and Tonic, with a Lime Wedge.
A person just watched the local news.
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A person just drank a beer with, another person.
A person is arguing with an US Ticket Agent.
A person is soon gonna tell me what I can do with this person.
A person is about to go to Europe on a Cruise.
A person is full of feces.!

A person can be a US Airways Gate Agent
A person can be a US Airways Flight Attendant.
A person can be a US Airways Ramp Worker
A person can be a US Airways Pilot
A person can be a retired US Airways Employee
A person is a US Airways Frequent Flier.

But the Most Important Person is:

A person who cares for all the other persons needs of all the US Airways Employees and US Airways Passengers!

 

[sharktooth]

If this route is awarded and is successful, US will step into a whole different arena and should quickly attain global recognition.

Heck, USAirways doesn't even "enjoy" West Coast recognition, the root beer airline notwithstanding.

 

[Itestwell]

So what's the deal, if we get the China route, we suddenly scramble and get the planes? Or, are we going to take them before the ruling? Is the ruling expected far in advance of the 2008 operating date?

 

[FutureUScapt]

So what's the deal, if we get the China route, we suddenly scramble and get the planes? Or, are we going to take them before the ruling? Is the ruling expected far in advance of the 2008 operating date?

I've heard that the A345s won't be available until the Oct/Nov time frame. That being said, the DOT hasn't even formally asked for 2008 applications yet and it took them a while to review this year's applications -- UA found out less than 3 months before it had to start service.

 

[ClueByFour]

Of course you are guessing on what the DOT will base this decision on. The fact is the route award is based on which geographic area will most benefit "economically" from the route.

Well, no. They consider a lot more than that. I suggest you reread the entire proceeding (or even the key docket items) from the proceeding that United just won and get back to us once you have a better understanding of the process.

Obviously, if it's apparent an airline cannot provide the service because of lack of equipment, they would consider that a negative. To make an assumption that X aircraft are required to compete is really not meaningful. Makes little difference if an airline with 50 777s, of which at least 47 are always in use competes with the remaining 2, or an airline with 3 340s competes and dedicates them to the route. In either case, only one spare is available without compromising another route.

Your assumption is that any other airline is going to cut it that close. UA, for instance, might be able to sub a spared 744 for a 777. Or even a 763 and rebooking pax onto other flights to free a 777. US, with two 340s, is screwed. If you don't feel that having only 2 aircraft capable of the mission would hinder US, your fanboy blinders are in full effect.

Suppressing your typical US negativity for a moment,do you really think US is dumb enough to acquire several long haul aircraft for this competion without fully understanding the requirements, or their chances, to win?

Yes. I give you the 320 reconfiguration. The East folks who remain are the ones who decided it a good idea to both throw a first class fare sale to LAS a few years back at the same time they were yanking F seats out of the aircraft most flown to LAS (757). They are going to intentionally reconfigure the 321s in a way that they are basically admitting will cause extra fuel stops. These guys know about as much about fleet planning as a 5 year old with a paper airplane. So yeah, I think they are perfectly capable of screwing this up.

Also, do not discount the political influence of the Philadelphia MSA, especially in a pre-presidential election year.

Really? And what are those? The city is one element, the suburbs (men) are another, the suburbs (women) are another. Without the "Pennsylvania T" and Pittsburgh, PHL is absolutely no big shakes in a pre-presidential election year. Starrin' Arlen is senior but in the minority and Bobby Jr. is in the majority but a frosh senator. What influence?

I love it when people say stuff like this as if they have any idea about which they speak.

Unrelated:
It always amazes me as to how the group of US Airways employees in this Forum can turn a potentially very positive event for the airline into a bashing exercise. If this route is awarded and is successful, US will step into a whole different arena and should quickly attain global recognition. This is the biggest event for this airline, bar none, since the 333 was acquired. Further, Asia is competing with big time players, not 757s to Europe. US will need to significantly learn how to provide a premium service/attitude if it hopes to attain acceptable market share.

Have you flown Envoy lately? Tempe is proving that it can't play in the international premium game. Wolf knew how to do it. DoUgIe does not. The high $$$$ asian folks will fly to NYC and connect or fly via the west coast or ORD and connect before they'll pay for the US premium service as it stands today. It's a bashing exercise only because it's true.