Flight Booking Authorization Levels

[Squonk]

Now that Tempe has assumed control over setting booking authorization levels, they have managed to raise a few eyebrows here on the east coast. The analysts are obviously not familiar with east coast markets when they authorize a 757 to +20 (or more) over capacity in coach. This is dangerous territory especially as we approach the "Season" between the Northeast and warmer climates. The analysts of the old US had the formula to a science and rarely overbooked by more than 3% during the season of high demand. It seems as though the new analysts in the west are out of touch with reality and are formulating a disaster.

What say you? B)

We are still.....

 

[gizmo_sc]

I had been in touch with the ANALyst keeping them informed for special events which would cause higher bookings, then all of a sudden I get an email from this individual and they no longer have my city. So I email the new analyst telling her what I had been doing and I got a reply but it was generic and not of much content. I would think the analyst would welcome local input since the booking levels they maintain are done on historical figures, BUT WAIT a min Shares is almost to its FIRST BIRTHDAY. Perhaps SHARES is not reporting good info to the ANALyst.

 

[SegmentKing]

well considering most of the east analyst (smartly) decided against moving to Tempe, most of the guys are all new & fresh off the street with only limited airline experience, ALTHOUGH most have a college degree. (book smarts don't always beat out street smarts).

Here's their new rev mgt computer:

 

[sharktooth]

Here's their new rev mgt computer:

When did they upgrade?

 

[USstew23]

Now that Tempe has assumed control over setting booking authorization levels, they have managed to raise a few eyebrows here on the east coast. The analysts are obviously not familiar with east coast markets when they authorize a 757 to +20 (or more) over capacity in coach. This is dangerous territory especially as we approach the "Season" between the Northeast and warmer climates. The analysts of the old US had the formula to a science and rarely overbooked by more than 3% during the season of high demand. It seems as though the new analysts in the west are out of touch with reality and are formulating a disaster.

What say you? B)

We are still.....

I think about this stuff everyday and I watch in complete amazement. I was commuting to work 3 days before X-mas and it was a West 320. 12/138 capacity and it was booked to 12/160. The flights were like that the day before, all day that day and until after X-mas. As I stood at the gate trying to help the agents we were discussing and trying to figure out who the H#!! does such stupid things. They did such a good job and were so patient and friendly with everyone trying to get volunteers, etc. and when they had 2 seats left to go and towards the end of boarding the phone rang and boom!! the flight was weight restricted by 14!!!!!!! Mind you, no weather in the dep. city, really nothing enroute and the arrival city was clear and it was an eastbound flight. This was only a 2 hour flight and it was one of the 320's with the newere A5 engines. After a lengthy delay and much negotiation with the fueler and someone on the phone they managed to get the restriction back to capacity but they still left like 10 oversales. This is just but one example, I can only imagine what is happening on the transcons with the 320 and 321!!!

Just more evidence that there is a MAJOR disconnect somewhere and that the people making these decisions have never really seen the operation side of the business and have not a CLUE as to what is going on.

 

[exB717Flyer]

12/138 capacity and it was booked to 12/160.

I don't believe that's a case of deliberate overbooking but rather the effect of previous cancellations. Nobody overbooks by 15.9%.

 

[Squonk]

I don't believe that's a case of deliberate overbooking but rather the effect of previous cancellations. Nobody overbooks by 15.9%.

Are you drinking Kool-Aid? B) You better take a closer look at the bookings.

 

[USstew23]

I don't believe that's a case of deliberate overbooking but rather the effect of previous cancellations. Nobody overbooks by 15.9%.

Ok, well 2 days before the flight it was already at 12/156 (which was the auth.) and the other flights for the next 4 days were at or just below auth. as well. I actually purchased a ticket on this particulare flight 2 weeks before and it was at the time at 8/147 so let's not go there. They book them without considering that it's the holidays and the people ARE for the most part going to show up and when they do there is nowhere to put them.

 

[USstew23]

Are you drinking Kool-Aid? B) You better take a closer look at the bookings.

I was thinking the same thing!! You know, that's part of the problem around here I think, too many people making excuses for a poorly run operation.

717, Im sure they're not sitting up there thinking "ooh let's screw everyone over and make life absolutely miserable" I'm just saying that it's either a) operational inexperience B) a disregard for customer service and performance or c) We know more than everybody else so leave us alone and do as your told. If you've watched the news or picked up a newspaper you'll see that something (alot of things) needs to change and quick. I know the constant B!T@#!NG is way old, but on the other hand if people didn't stand up and demand change I think we would be in even bigger doodoo right now and absolutely no vision of where it's headed. At least now it seems like though steps, at least maybe change for the better is on the horizon.

 

[phlus2]

I don't believe that's a case of deliberate overbooking but rather the effect of previous cancellations. Nobody overbooks by 15.9%.

There does appear to be a disconnect somewhere in the system - on several occaisions I have been told by a ticket counter agent that a flight I want to switch too is already full. All I have to do is boot up my laptop - got to the website - and it will sell me a ticket. This has happened to me several times.

The funniest one was at DTW once - agent said the flight was full - I booked a ticket on the web site - and then she offered me a free ticket to volunteer. Go figure!

 

[YVINTERN]

What we do know from Yield Management and Revenue Management...It's better to oversell than undersell but "by how much is enough" is the question.

I have managed to make it out of hubs on "20+ overbooked" flights when their connections go to hell so thank god for that but still...Yield Management WAKE UP!

 

[88 B.T.D.]

quote usstew23 "717, Im sure they're not sitting up there thinking "ooh let's screw everyone over and make life absolutely miserable" I'm just saying that it's either a) operational inexperience a disregard for customer service and performance or c) We know more than everybody else so leave us alone and do as your told. If you've watched the news or picked up a newspaper you'll see that something (alot of things) needs to change and quick."

Sometimes I get that sneaking suspicion that these things are happening on purpose.(unusual weight restrictions, extreme overbookings, etc) Like a setup for late in the year when they can say, "We tried, but it didn't work so we must sell out in parts, sorry for the job loses."

 

[USstew23]

quote usstew23 "717, Im sure they're not sitting up there thinking "ooh let's screw everyone over and make life absolutely miserable" I'm just saying that it's either a) operational inexperience a disregard for customer service and performance or c) We know more than everybody else so leave us alone and do as your told. If you've watched the news or picked up a newspaper you'll see that something (alot of things) needs to change and quick."

Sometimes I get that sneeking suspicion that these things are happening on purpose.(unusual wieght restrictions, extreme overbookings, etc) Like a setup for late in the year when they can say, "We tried, but it didn't work so we must sell out in parts, sorry for the job loses."

Some days I actually think "Go ahead and get it over with, end the pain so we can all stop stressing ourselves and move on"!!!

 

[tadjr]

A couple comments on this issue.
1) 735pm flight to PHL tonight was a 757 holding 8/185 with an au to 8/206. (21 over) Thank goodness we werent full, but one day its going to (again) bite us in the you know what.
2) 330pm CLT flight today was already over by 2. Had an au to sell about 7 or 8 more seats. Had customers wanting to moveup and it was showing to sell, but we hate to oversell the gates and advised that it was standby which is what we are supposed to do with the moveups. One customer somehow got a seat and then told their traveling buddy (Silver to a Plat and she was not thrilled that I wouldnt confirm her when he got a seat). Decided to call inventory to drop au since we knew we had 3 others in front of us wanting to change. Inventory said that wasnt a good enough reason to drop the au. So, we sold the move ups, changed the Preferreds no charge and proceeded to take 3 oversales on the flight. If no one else wants to help out, maybe taking DBS will get their attention. Stupid rules.
3) I saw a QIKFIX request that we drop inventory aus to actual sometime before the flight dept (it was mentioned that CO did this 6 hours before flight time) and saw they were passing it on to the appropriate dept. I know you dont want to undersell, but if you are already full day of, and continue to sell seats and then have to give out compensation to people who were already going to be on later flights anyway, what are you accomplishing? Even if day of you drop it to 2-5 over it would still allow for some noshows, but not slam the airport if something happens. We made $75 in moveups and gave out 3 $200 vouchers. How is that making money for us? I think they may have the book smarts, but the common sense isnt there.

 

[hp_fa]

I seriously hope you took the time to fill out an irregularity report to document that you had the chat and they would not drop the AU, and then took three DB's because they didn't listen to you. Send a copy to Revenue Management and another copy to the VP of Operations, which is probably the lowest level where the customer service folks meet the revenue management folks in the corporate tree.