The Future Of Express

[Art at ISP]

I am wondering if anyone had heard anything as yet as to the future of PDT, and other small aircraft operators. At one point, I heard about a number of Dash 8's being returned, now I heard a rumor that they are looking to get more, about 20-30 updated 300Q's or even the 400Q. Is this in fact a possibility?

At the same time, I wonder about my great little home station of ISP. While I love the people at LGA, the drive is getting to me, especially at rush hour. Since DL has cut their presence by 50% there (no more CVG), I wonder if it would be a good time to get some service to anywhere but PHL...loads have been excellent from what I have seen, and business yields are up.

Any thoughts, comments?

 

[av8or]

I am wondering if anyone had heard anything as yet as to the future of PDT, and other small aircraft operators. At one point, I heard about a number of Dash 8's being returned, now I heard a rumor that they are looking to get more, about 20-30 updated 300Q's or even the 400Q. Is this in fact a possibility?

Any thoughts, comments?

[post="305658"][/post]​

hey art, rumors abound around here, but i wouldn't count on 400's just yet, or rather, i'll believe it when i see it, there are some of our old allegheny 100's supposedly coming back into service, and returning 200's(really, really dumb decision imho...lets take a plane that can actually take a full load of pax, bags and fuel out of service for one that sometimes can't :down: ) don't get me wrong, i like the 100's well enough (at least their better than the cromagnon 100's pdt had in their fleet) but to replace 200's with them doesn't seem to be a sound operational decision....
haven't heard anything about any 300's but who knows what tempe has up its sleeves once they go thru everything else in the company and finally turn their eyes towards our little operation....

 

[BoeingBoy]

Art,

I think you'll see Express, in the generic sense, playing an increasing role in the "new" US. As for the wholly-owned carriers......

My guess (add $5 and have a Starbucks!!!) is that you won't see any new airplanes quickly - with fuel prices being what they are, hoarding cash will be important.

Despite the claims to the contrary ("the best capitalized airline in the U.S.", no - wait, "the best capitalized for it's size", no - wait, "the best capitalized for it's size except Southwest"), look at cash on hand - that's what it takes to acquire airplanes. And actual spendable cash on hand is going to be a lot less than that $2.5 billion (or whatever the latest number being bandied about is).

Just off the top of my head, here's some of what you need to consider when thinking about that "$2.5 billion" number:

* Eastshore's $125 million - already spent as DIP financing.

* Airbus' $250 million - it appears over half is going right back to Airbus as make-up payments for the deferred A320/330's and deposits for A350 orders.

* "Synergy" $600 million - all either anticipated cost reductions or revenue enhancements - neither cash now (and how much is going to go out the tailpipe in the form of higher fuel costs).

* $525 million - the minimum unrestricted cash requirement of the ATSB going forward.

Just those 4 items account for about half of that "best capitalized" pot of money. With some time to dig around, I could probably come up with a few hundred million more....

Jim

 

[Light Years]

US Airways Express, operated by outside employees, IS the future US Airways. Big planes, big stations.

Good luck.

 

[WSurf]

Something is gonna happen at PDT soon! Either good or bad! (usually bad if you look over the past four years)
So everything right now is strictly rumors!!! The Dash's seem to be the cash cow for the express division!! I am sure the 300's are really doing well.. 50 seats and operating cost of almost half the 50 seat RJ's
We are losing 4000 hrs of flying, however there are no plans for a fleet reduction. There is a strong rumor that 8-10 Dash's will head out to PHX and start opening more markets. 'The Dash' from Mr. Parker's mouth is highly profitable and flexiable, meaning we can take it too all kinds of places to try and build a market without having it be a risk.
Only time will tell, I do hope our little Dash Company keeps on tickin... And maybe we can get some newer stuff to keep the FO attrition down.

 

[robbedagain]

does anyone what may or may not happen to the cities that are currently PI and PSA cities such as ABE and MDT for PI and I think DAY for PSA? Will Doug keep it like that or what?

 

[chichi]

US Airways Express, operated by outside employees, IS the future US Airways. Big planes, big stations.

Good luck.

[post="305740"][/post]​

 

[FM2436]

'The Dash' from Mr. Parker's mouth is highly profitable and flexiable, meaning we can take it too all kinds of places to try and build a market without having it be a risk.

[post="305968"][/post]​

That's exactly what Parker said about the dash-8s and he mentiond the Turboprop would play a role in the new US Airways. Here in Salisbury employees I've spoken to are cautiously up beat. However, apparently there are still some problems with baggage connections through PHL.

 

[28yrsnojob]

looks like small cities will be either psa or piedmont inside and out .
which ever is cheaper. cross train so agents can sell ticket and then load or at
least help load and unload . Just like all the other airlines do in small cities.this
elimates contractors on the ramp or inside.saving 500000.00 to 1 million a yr
per small station.

 

[BlackOps]

The Piedmont turboprops at Airways might have a chance if the AAA mainline ALPA geniuses are kept sedated. They are their own worst nightmare.

Friends of mine at other carriers have asked me what it is like doing business with the AAA MEC. I tell them it goes like this:

You're walking through a terminal with two arm loads of bags, and you ask an Airways MEC member if he can give you a hand. He tells you to hold on a second, then pulls out a 45 automatic, cocks the hammer, then proceeds to blow a hole in his own foot. He then holsters the weapon, and then while bleeding profusely, informs you: "Gee, I'd like to help you, but as you can see, I'm injured!" Unfortunately for him, now the poor bast-rd t he can't carry his own bag.

Hopefully the AWA group can de-program the AAA group.

The next six months of fences, etc, will be a bloodbath.

 

[vsi0]

BlackOps:

It dosen't get anymore accurate than that! There are a few things wrong with the airline industry - AAA MEC ranks right up there with the worst of them.

 

[FM2436]

Words gone out through Salisbury that on Tuesday, the big-wigs from PHX are to make their first visit to SBY since the merger.

 

[JS]

I am wondering if anyone had heard anything as yet as to the future of PDT, and other small aircraft operators. At one point, I heard about a number of Dash 8's being returned, now I heard a rumor that they are looking to get more, about 20-30 updated 300Q's or even the 400Q. Is this in fact a possibility?

At the same time, I wonder about my great little home station of ISP. While I love the people at LGA, the drive is getting to me, especially at rush hour. Since DL has cut their presence by 50% there (no more CVG), I wonder if it would be a good time to get some service to anywhere but PHL...loads have been excellent from what I have seen, and business yields are up.

Any thoughts, comments?

[post="305658"][/post]​

Southwest operates a sizeable number of flights out of ISP. If your destination is a WN station, then you wouldn't have to drive to LGA nor fly on a small plane.

 

[Art at ISP]

JS,

I am not going to open a can of worms again, but Southworst is not an option for me.

I will never fly the big brown bus.

 

[LGA Fleet Service]

Southworst is not an option for me.

I will never fly the big brown bus.

[post="309007"][/post]​

Then enjoy the drive to and from La Guardia, especially at rush hour...