DL Buys 15 Additional A321s

[Kev3188]

I've often wondered why the airlines allow such leakage of revenue.

Right?

Prior to the merger, we had bag tag printers & the ability to charge at the gate. That went away almost instantly. Even now with portable ones, there's still no revenue captured.

Most people know they can just show up at the gate & the worst outcome is that they get their bag checked for free.
 
 

I really don't see that many people trying to carry on what is clearly in excess.

That experience doesn't match my reality at all...

 

[robbedagain]

pax skipping the bag fees is definitely the top of the list.. given the size of the carry ons we are always taking off   also the 734s are done with by mid of Aug   Not sure about DL  but at the new AA all stations are getting new bag sizers  and if it does not fit it  it will be checked..  Of course itll be interesting to see how many people skirt or try to skirt that  
 
Wt  as for the rollerboards, becoming effective this month the new rules apply  1 bag plus 1 personal item   theyre supposenly cracking down on that  but then again ive heard that same song repeatedly fall on deaf ears

 

[Kev3188]

A couple of times a year sizers become a big deal... then it fades, they collect dust, and the cycle starts anew...

 

[robbedagain]

so true Kev   so true

 

[WorldTraveler]

part of the problem with sizers for almost any airline is they don't actually reflect the size of even the lowest common denominator for mainline overhead bins.

When US airlines allow passengers to keep rollerboards as carryon luggage but they won't fit in the sizers, then the whole sizer process is meaningless.

And the airlines that charge for bag fees would have a revolt on their hands if they banned rollerboards, even those that fit in the overhead bins of unretrofitted cabins.

And I still rarely see passengers trying to carry more on than will fit in the overhead bins. Some pepole, yes. many, no. Some people carry too many items but it is usually stuff that could be consolidated but is carried separately, esp. shopping bags.

most of the gate check bags come because overhead bins fill up before the plane is full or gate agents think they do so check bags sooner than is necessary.

Let's also not forget that there is a financial incentive for the airlines to force some passengers to gate check bags because they make money on selling the opportunity to board early when overhead bin space is readily available. There will be some passengers who will pay for some type of upgrade in order to board early so they can hold on to their luggage.

 

[blue collar]

 
Robbed,
 
I had the great pleasure of working some real POS's (since it was only one RON, we got lucky and got the contract) A320's that belonged to a certain airline.  A/C 621, if I remember correctly, could carry fuel, bags and passengers, but not all 3 at the same time.  The original airline wanted bags and fuel, but we would almost always send pax and fuel.  One thanksgiving we sent it with only one bag.  Another thing that miffs me about the Airbii narrow bodies, is the crappy 2" line around the bin, the annoying whine of the hydraulics when operating the cargo doors, and having to put up netting every row of bags you stack (I know, its more like 4 feet, but still, it gets old.  But most of all, I dislike the fact that if the pilot feels like he needs the plane to do a barrel roll, let him do a barrel roll.  If I recall correctly, Airbii limit throttle and flight surface response (with their MS Flight simulator joystik) to a preset parameter that won't inconvenience the passengers.  I would like to think that if the pilot needs to go vertical for whatever reason, he should be able to go vertical, as seen in this video...
 
That, and they just have a cheap feel to them.

You're right. AC 621 is a dog with those crappy v2500a1 engines, always over-temping in the summer. I also agree with you about the Airbus 'the pilot doesn't know how to fly' philosophy.

 

[WorldTraveler]

what makes 621 different from other aircraft in US' fleet?

 

[yoyodyne]

what makes 621 different from other aircraft in US' fleet?

 
Not different, but more like  it has the true essence of Airbii, that is turds polished to a shine...
 
I have seen the gruesome results when 727,737,757 and  767's fly thru flocks of pterodactyls, IIRC, one even took some dings to the front p-dome, but went on and landed safe.  Airbii however, tend to suffer complete engine failure when flying thru a swarm of dragonflies...

 

[traderjake]

I have seen the gruesome results when 727,737,757 and  767's fly thru flocks of pterodactyls, IIRC, one even took some dings to the front p-dome, but went on and landed safe.  Airbii however, tend to suffer complete engine failure when flying thru a swarm of dragonflies..

 
I've seen a 737 fly into to ground because of a faulty rudder design and Boeing try to blame the crew.
 
I've seen the roof of a 737 separate in flight. 

 

[blue collar]

AC 621 is line number 53. One of the oldest ones, originally made for braniff if I remember correctly. The -A1 version of the v2500 is junk, most of US' v2500 are A5 and the new ones are selectone.

And yoyo- I'm not one to defend airbus, because I'm also not a huge fan- but engine failure due to birdstrike has nothing to do with airbus/Boeing (I'm sure you know this...). The cfm 56 family is on all 737-3/4/5/6/7/8/9, a318/319/320/321/340 and more- can't list them all off the top of my head, I'd have to look it up. I like the cfm56- it's a great and fairly easy engine to work on, although my fav is the RB211.

 

[yoyodyne]

AC 621 is line number 53. One of the oldest ones, originally made for braniff if I remember correctly. The -A1 version of the v2500 is junk, most of US' v2500 are A5 and the new ones are selectone.

And yoyo- I'm not one to defend airbus, because I'm also not a huge fan- but engine failure due to birdstrike has nothing to do with airbus/Boeing (I'm sure you know this...). The cfm 56 family is on all 737-3/4/5/6/7/8/9, a318/319/320/321/340 and more- can't list them all off the top of my head, I'd have to look it up. I like the cfm56- it's a great and fairly easy engine to work on, although my fav is the RB211.

 
 
I know, but it seemed like a nice metaphor.

 

[WorldTraveler]

AC 621 is line number 53. One of the oldest ones, originally made for braniff if I remember correctly. The -A1 version of the v2500 is junk, most of US' v2500 are A5 and the new ones are selectone.

And yoyo- I'm not one to defend airbus, because I'm also not a huge fan- but engine failure due to birdstrike has nothing to do with airbus/Boeing (I'm sure you know this...). The cfm 56 family is on all 737-3/4/5/6/7/8/9, a318/319/320/321/340 and more- can't list them all off the top of my head, I'd have to look it up. I like the cfm56- it's a great and fairly easy engine to work on, although my fav is the RB211.

good information. any older model aircraft can't reasonably be compared to its newer peers. It's worth noting that Airbus products have dramatically improved in the past few years.

The difference between the A310s that Airbus built for DL and the 330s that DL inherited from NW is night and day. The fact that the new build 330s that DL is buying are another leap in performance above the 330s from NW is a testament again tot he fact that Airbus is a young company but does have quality engineers and listens to its customers.

I get that there will always be pilots and mechanics esp. who care for one aircraft mfr over the other but Airbus does build quality aircraft.

And it is also true that the 737 which continues to be Boeing's 50 year old answer to the narrowbody market is an airframe that is pushed to the limit and beyond. it is still a good aircraft but an A320 family aircraft will be my choice in many regards.