Us Airways' May On Time Performance

[tadjr]

While on the subject, I would like to make a relatively simple suggestion which could improve the PAWOB situation significantly. Stop offering 30 minute connections!!! I am sorry but minimum connection times in this system should be 60-75 minutes. 30 minutes, even 45 minutes for a connection at any major hub, ESPECIALLY PHL, is not realistic. It would cost little, and would result in fewer missed bags and fewer ticked off customers.....

[post="275183"][/post]​

Agree with that one. If the plane is flifoed 10 minutes late, you are busting connections and having to reroute by hand (still not kiosk qualified to do this.).

Also 50 minutes for an international conx in PHL (especially during the summer) from Florida is ridiculous (ATC and thunderstorms on both ends almost daily). If they start boarding 45 minutes before departure and want everyone on 20 minutes, if you are late at all, you are again busting connections. We had a plane last week with 60 international connections with a PHL ATC hold. Swap program was unavailable due computer problem. We finally got clearance to board and tried our best, but about 55 busted. If there had been more than a 50 minute conx, they would have made it. It is hard this time of year getting people to Europe on US or anyone and if they misconx, there isnt a lot we are able to do. This is one area that needs to be addressed immediately.

I can tell you marketing people who keep telling us people want a close connection so they dont have to sit in the airport all day, baloney. They want a REASONABLE connection so they dont have to run or worry about a little delay. Try getting someone to Ashkabat, Turkmenistan or Chennai, India next time your flight takes an hour ATC hold and they misconx. It wasnt a pretty picture I can tell you that. :down:

 

[MarkMyWords]

Art -

I can't speak to Managers closing up airplanes with bags on the gate or enroute. You have a much better seat to those events then I do. But I will say this: With the February schedule change, we reduced ground time in a lot of stations. The idea was to maximize the productivity of the airplanes and crews. Take a 733 that is supposed to operate PHL-RDU-PHL and is full in both directions with a 30 minute turn in RDU. A 15 minute hold in PHL eats up 1/2 of the ground time in RDU and returns the airplane late to PHL and continuing the ripple effect. Please don't get me wrong - I do not advocate leaving bags, but I understand the reasons for the push for on time.

I agree that there are additional steps that can be taken to help reduce PAWOB's and longer connecting time is a perfect example. Just as hiring additional staffing and adding additional equipment were great first steps, perhaps the additional check-in time in PHL is a good second step. Perhaps there are additional steps in the works. Adding additional ground time or changing connecting time is not something that can happen over night.

I respectfully disagree that the increased check-in time is a bandaid to a bigger problem. It is a necessity when you run a 500+ flight operation out of 4 concourses that span nearly a mile versus someone like NW or WN that run out of 2-4 gates. The real PHL issues are finally being addressed - one at a time. I have seen more improvement in PHL in the last 3-4 months then I have seen in the last 8 years. It can't all happen overnight.

 

[USA320Pilot]

MMW:

MMW said: "I respectfully disagree that the increased check-in time is a bandaid to a bigger problem. It is a necessity when you run a 500+ flight operation out of 4 concourses that span nearly a mile versus someone like NW or WN that run out of 2-4 gates. The real PHL issues are finally being addressed - one at a time. I have seen more improvement in PHL in the last 3-4 months then I have seen in the last 8 years. It can't all happen overnight."

USA320Pilot comments: Another great point and post. PHL is improving its operation with increased staffing, the rolling hub, more use of runway 17/35, improved coordination with TSA, the new additional check-in time initiative, more GSE, and now the terminal boarding demolition that has started like in Charlotte.

Much more needs to be done, but management is taking important steps to improve the hubs performance.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[MrAeroMan]

MMW,

I can't deny that the addition of people to the operation certainly has helped and the new employees are doing a pretty good job despite the turnover numbers but you have to acknowledge the management by intimidation continues with this management team. Operating on time certainly helps making a connection but you're right it won't guarantee your bag will make it. That's one of the reasons so many pax have stopped checking bags. The ones that travel US frequently, especially through PHL, know not to check a bag if you absolutely don't have to.
Lastly since when does it have to come out in USAirways today for an accolade to be given? Why does the upper management continue to brow beat the lower level management on the floor in the hubs about delays and things that are totally out of their control? They do this all the time without any idea of how the operation really operates and what it really takes to make a flight go out on time. That's the problem and will always be the problem with senior management. They're holed up in CCY and protecting their little corner of the airline making their numbers look better than Billy Joe and Bobby Jean so when the time comes for their conference call they don't have to answer for things they don't know how to answer for. It's ridiculous and ignorant and was taught by people like Al Crellin. The front line employees are doing a great job but you wouldn't know it if you heard a morning conference call. Ask to listen in at 9:30 am anyday of the week and you'll hear it for yourself. Bring a little white bag with ya though.

 

[diogenes]

MMW, instructions have been given to leave bags if necessary, to get flights out OT.

Of course, that should help with the W&B on the mini-jets, shouldn't it?

 

[BoeingBoy]

Just to be sure there are no misunderstandings, this is not meant as an insult to the rank & file employees. As far as I'm concerned, they performed their jobs as well in March (68+% on-time arrivals) and April (80+% on time) as they did in May (84+% on time arrivals). It's more of a comment on senior management, but more of that at the end....

It seems like June is starting off somewhat badly on-time wise...

From the Hub:

-----
Stormy weather brings out the best in employees

Severe weather on Monday meant difficult operating
conditions for US Airways and its employees. But as
usual a number of employees went beyond the call in
order to assist customers with the inconveniences.

System performance results were impacted by rain
showers and thunderstorm activity across the Ohio
Valley, Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Gulf
Coast regions. Atlanta, Boston, Washington (National
and Dulles), Newark, LaGuardia, Philadelphia and
Pittsburgh operations were subject to ground stop and
ground delay programs due to the weather. There were
numerous route restrictions in the Northeast, and
lightning meant ramp closures in Charlotte, Pittsburgh
and Philadelphia.

In Charlotte Monday night, as his full flight was
boarding, first officer Walter Tickler stood at the
door with a stack of baggage tags. "Like all full
flights, this one had more bags than space," said
Steve Kingsley, director of inflight product and
dining and cabin services. "First officer Tickler was
assisting the flight attendants in an effort to get
the flight out as quickly as possible and explaining
very professionally the need to check any large bags
and doing so for any customer who would allow it. This
assistance clearly saved significant time and more
importantly conveyed a level of cooperative spirit."

Meanwhile, in Atlanta, several customer service agents
volunteered to work into the night and morning in
order to oversee late arrivals and departures. Leading
night owls included Janice Evans, who worked baggage
services until 7 a.m., and Michelle Ketterer, who
worked until 3 a.m., to greet final arriving flights.
Both women worked seven and a half hours later than
scheduled. Also, Martha Quinn worked until 5:30 a.m.,
in order to greet a flight that arrived seven hours
late.

In Boston, "It was a good team effort," said Station
Manager Mike Bashar. "Everyone just pulled together."

In Philadelphia, with a number of weather fronts and
five ramp closures due to lightning, Station Director
Suha Arkan said, "Everyone -- especially the evening
shift -- worked their tails off to meet our customers'
needs and to make the operations work."

Weather delays over the past few days have affected
all airlines. The FAA reported 4,400 delays over the
weekend, mainly due to thunderstorms in the Midwest
and east, Aviation Daily reported today. This month,
through June 5, daily system delays averaged more than
1,400, almost 500 more than in May. On Saturday, there
were close to 500 delays in Chicago O'Hare alone and
approximately 175 in Philadelphia, where the Air
Traffic Control tower experienced a power outage and
an evacuation due to smoke from a faulty elevator
motor.
-----

Kudos to the employees who, as usual, go "above & beyone". Now, the Aviation Daily piece mentioned:

-----
Bad Start For June Delays After Good Spring Numbers
06/07/2005 09:27:47 AM
By Adrian Schofield

The FAA reports that delays are climbing back up to normal summer levels so far this month after very low delay numbers through April and May.

There were 4,400 delays this weekend, mainly due to thunderstorms in the Midwest and the eastern seaboard. The daily delay average for the month through June 5 is 1,421, compared with a daily average of 995 for May. Traffic levels have routinely been above seasonal averages. Delays were down 20% in April and 35% for the first three weeks in May, FAA officials said (DAILY, May 26).

Friday saw 1,814 delays systemwide, with Atlanta, Philadelphia, Newark, New York Kennedy, and New York Teterboro the worst offenders. Controllers were forced to contend with demand for 66 arrivals at Kennedy during one hour despite an arrival rate set at 45. This was one of the airports highlighted by U.S. Transportation Dept. Inspector General Kenneth Mead as a potential delay trouble spot this summer (DAILY, May 27).

Saturday saw the worst of the thunderstorms hit, with a few equipment problems also causing delays. There were 934 delays overall, with 468 at Chicago O'Hare alone. Also high on the list were Philadelphia and Atlanta. The Philadelphia air traffic control facility experienced a power cut, and smoke from a faulty elevator motor caused an evacuation; the two events caused 134 of the 174 delays at Philadelphia. There were 1,719 delays on Sunday, with Atlanta and O'Hare again at the top of the list.

Aviation Week, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies.
-----

Lastly, from the Hub, the month to date statistics for June through the 6th:\

-----
Mainline:

Fleet launch S+00 57.2%
Departures S+00 57.2%
Arrivals S+14 75.6%
Turn S+00 60.5%
Completions 96.9%

Express:

Departures S+00 67.1%
Arrivals S+14 73.9%
Completions 94.2%

Especially for PineyBob, PAWOB thru the 3rd:

Mainline 6.3
Express 9.8
-----

I guess you could call this a cautionary tale. Historically, only about 4-6% of delays are directly attribitable to the airline. Another 4-6% are due to "late arriving equipment" (meaning the plane) which could be the airlines fault or due to WX/ATC issues. So at the absolute most, only around 10% of delays are within the airline's control, and more than likely only about 7-8%.

Reducing those 7-8% of delays is certainly a worthwhile goal for the reasons mentioned in this thread. I guess I have a couple of questions. Should VP's of this or that proclaim "dramatic success" of their new program when the vast majority of that success is out of their, and every employees, hand? Or maybe more to the point, will they also be so lavish with their praise when WX/ATC (responsible for the other 93+% of delays) conspire to reduce on-time performance below "acceptable levels"?

Jim

 

[USA320Pilot]

Last night was very difficult from an operational and weather view. I believe June and July will be problematic with chromic crew shortages and severe weather that will exacerbate the summer travel problems.

The crew shortage will begin to mitigate itself in August and September when 15 aircraft (4 A319s and 11 B737s – the B757 on the pilot 05-03 scheduled for removal is coming out of service for scheduled maintenance and will be returned to flying) are removed from service and the mainline fleet is reduced to about 250 aircraft.

Regards,

USA320Pilot

 

[BoeingBoy]

the B757 on the pilot 05-03 scheduled for removal is coming out of service for scheduled maintenance and will be returned to flying

Regards,

USA320Pilot

[post="275944"][/post]​

I hope you're right but have some misgivings for two reasons.

- In the 15+ years I've been working with the bids there has never been a case where an airplane reduction was listed as a driver of the bid when the airplane was only out for maintenance - they're not out of service long enough to justify the staffing change. (Excepting the obvious seasonal reduction in European flying where I understand some of the planes have heavy maint performed in the "off" season)

- I mentioned quite a while back that the company had filed to reject a number of airplanes - including 757's - with the rejection date TBD (To Be Determined). So far every rejection has come from that list except one - the most recent was a GE/Snemca bird.

Jim

 

[tadjr]

Last night was very difficult from an operational and weather view. I believe June and July will be problematic with chromic crew shortages and severe weather that will exacerbate the summer travel problems.

[post="275944"][/post]​

Didnt we talk about this same problem last year, and the year before? The company press release will always say "unexpected weather problems leading to crew shortages" when we all know better. :down:

 

[BoeingBoy]

I thought it was time to update this, so here's how we're doing this month compared to April and May. I guess you could call this "What Mother Nature giveth, she can taketh away". May was the start of "All together on time", and the success was widely heralded. June - same "All together on time", same employees, different weather - speaks for itself.

Mainline systemwide operating statistics:
..........................................Apr29..May27..Jun20
..........................................MTD%....MTD%....MTD%
Fleet Launch--S:00.............74.3,,,,,,83.8,,,,,,77.4
Fleet Launch--S:05.............86.2,,,,,,92.0,,,,,,86.7
Departures--S:00 minutes..57.8,,,,,,64.9,,,,,,55.0
Departures--S:05 minutes..72.3,,,,,,77.9,,,,,,68.2
Arrivals--S:14 minutes........80.0,,,,,,83.7,,,,,,74.8
Turn Performance--S:00.....61.5,,,,,,67.2,,,,,,58.6
Turn Performance--S:05.....78.5,,,,,,82.6,,,,,,75.0
Completion (departures)....98.8,,,,,,99.1,,,,,,97.8

Express operating statistics:
Departures--S:00 minutes..67.0,,,,,,73.9,,,,,,65.6
Departures--S:05 minutes..71.9,,,,,,78.4,,,,,,70.4
Arrivals--S:14 minutes........74.8,,,,,,81.4,,,,,,73.5
Completion (departures)....97.7,,,,,,97.8,,,,,,95.6

MTD as of..........................Apr26...May27...Jun12
mainline PAWOB*.. ............8.3,,,,,,,,7.3,,,,,,,,,8.0
Express PAWOB*.............14.9,,,,,,12.9,,,,,,,13.1


Jim

 

[diogenes]

Actually, Jim not all of the employees were the same.

Many rampers in the out-stations got outsourced in the May/June timeframe.

Here's a nice 'lil anecdote that provides insight.

During the time frame in question, at one on the stations in question, all of the local bags went down the departure belt, destined for LGA.

Where they were promptly driven around to the arrival belt, and sent back upstairs.

You cannot make this stuff up.

 

[BoeingBoy]

Actually, Jim not all of the employees were the same.

Many rampers in the out-stations got outsourced in the May/June timeframe.

[post="278152"][/post]​

I know, diogenes - I thought about phrasing it some other way but decided that system wide most of the employees are the same as last month and left it the way I did.

I love your example of outsourcing, however. Sorta like the credit card commercial - outsourced employees - $xxx savings, experience gone out the door - priceless.

Jim

 

[diogenes]

And as long as we're on PAWOB's, not all of it can be attributed to staffing.

MUCH of it can be placed on RJ W&B limitations.

No need to re-flog this horse; y'all know RJ's frequently can't carry all the pax, bags and fuel. Bags get left behind.

More RJ's/less mainline = more PAWOB's.

Even though some crews, flight and ground, are using creative means to move the bags.

And now with newbies at the out-stations, they don't even know it.