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Virgin America starting flights to Philly this spring


NEVER underestimate Sir Richard Branson.


1. He's a better businessman asleep than Doug is awake
2. He's a better leader of people than Doug
3. He has a successful track record
4. As a start up they are dangerously close to turning a profit.
5. Coach amenities are better (so I'm told)
6. First Class is supposed to be significantly better

Only time will tell, US has Star Alliance in their favor and a good loyalty program which should keep the higher yield business traveler around. My prediction is that VX & US will co-exist and compete heavily for market share. US's secret weapon is Mr Nocella and his ability to price competition out of markets. From a consumer perspective this will be a good thing.
Blah blah. Once again, straight out of your butt and onto this board.

1. Wrong
2. Deal with USAPA and get back to me
3. Don't remember that charter outfit that failed?
4. LMAO. Unless you mean never
5. They are. They're gimmicks that cost a lot to implement and maintain
6. Same as 5
 
Flew LAX-FLL r/t recently. They offer the only Easbound daylight service in the market, with everyone else - NK, AA, B6 offering red-eyes.

Now, in-flight service compared to US is much better. They do 1 run through the cabin with the beverage and BOB cart, after that it's order via RED or call button. The F/A's were constantly in the cabin on both flights. If you want a beverage it asks if you want it with or without ice. When a food or snack option runs out it is removed from the RED options. Food options vary by route and airport. You can start a tab and only swipe your credit card once for all food and IFE purchases, however, each purchase is an individual charge. There's a wide selection of movies, music and games. There's standard plugs and USB ports in between each and every seat on the plane

The flight deck does not make cabin PA's. The captain makes an announcement from the 1L interphone before shutting the door about flight time, altitude, any turbulence, etc. That's all you'll hear from them except Cabin crew prepare for takeoff and prepare for landing. I found both crews to be very liberal with the seat belt sign.

Seat pitch is very good and although it's only 32, with the slimline seats it felt like more, and I'm 6'2".

We had an issue with checking bags during online check-in and got overcharged. Not only did they refund, but they gave each of us $$ for the travel bank. While phone hold times have been long, I posted a comment on their Facebook page about this and got an email within 15 minutes from a rep. All funds in the travel bank can be used for tickets, baggage and I think RED purchases.

Both flights they were selling F at check-in, and sold it too. The price to UG to F on LAX-FLL (and probably to PHL too as it's based on distance) was $249. If you purchase Main Cabin Select (exit and bulkhead) you get one free bag and free food/beverage/IFE. All bags are $25.
 
Blah blah. Once again, straight out of your butt and onto this board.

1. Wrong
2. Deal with USAPA and get back to me
3. Don't remember that charter outfit that failed?
4. LMAO. Unless you mean never
5. They are. They're gimmicks that cost a lot to implement and maintain
6. Same as 5
Hi there FLY BOY! HOW IS MY FAVORITE GLORIFIED BUS DRIVER DOING? LOL LOL LOL
 
The flight deck does not make cabin PA's. The captain makes an announcement from the 1L interphone before shutting the door about flight time, altitude, any turbulence, etc. That's all you'll hear from them except Cabin crew prepare for takeoff and prepare for landing.
I've seen a few captains at US and a few OAs do that during IRROPS, and it's amazing what a difference that makes in people's minds.

People also don't want to listen to a guy that's in love with his own voice throughout the flight. We had a DC-9 captain in PIT (Eddie) that would make bloviating spiels that lasted several minute long. I actually had a guy in F ask me if he did that on every flight. I handed him my trip sheet and said, "See all those flight numbers? That how many time the rest of us have to listen to this the next three days." :wacko: Last time I saw him he was on the 75 in PHL; I think someone in the CP's office told him to shut his piehole because he only made normal announcements on that flight.
 
I heard the same words from the CEO of PSA, Paul Barkley, back in 1983. At an all hands company meeting someone asked, "What about that new airline that's starting up over in PHX, America West?"

His answer was, "they only have a couple of old 737's....they won't last 6 months!"
Yeah, but how long did US Air last out west when they bought PSA?
 
Thats because US made PS and PI mirror image US instead if seeing what made PS and PI successful and adapt. They made both carriers do everything the US way.
 
Thats because US made PS and PI mirror image US instead if seeing what made PS and PI successful and adapt. They made both carriers do everything the US way.


In all fairness to uncle Ed and the rest of the CCY gang; Yes, they blew the PSA merger. But so did Bob Crandall and the rest of AA's leadership with the AirCal merger. Bob Crandall has been called many things; "slouch" is not one of them. Both carriers failed to understand the intra-California market. It was not long before the routes of the absorbed carriers were abandoned, much to Southwest's gain.

(And then AA did just about the same with Reno Air. And TWA)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE_5ptxmg3Y&feature=related
 
It seemed like Mirror Image was to make a smooth transition of combining three airlines in just a couple of years, but as a RustHead based in PIT my perception is probably off. I know we PO'd a lot of PI customers, but the PI FAs were glad to transition over to our bidding system, for example.
 
It seemed like Mirror Image was to make a smooth transition of combining three airlines in just a couple of years, but as a RustHead based in PIT my perception is probably off.
You're right. Every merger entails "mirror image" since the two carriers have to be operating the same (same checklists, procedures, manuals, etc) before the FAA will grant a single certificate. I doesn't matter what it's called, the purpose is the same - have the two operations operating the same. Many have confused "mirror image" - a necessary component of any merger - with the process of coming up with the common checklists, procedures, etc. For the US/PI merger the latter was usually summed up with one question - "Is that how PI did it?" followed by what was interpreted as "You hillbilly's don't know as much as we do so it's going to be the US way."

Jim
 

NEVER underestimate Sir Richard Branson.


1. He's a better businessman asleep than Doug is awake
2. He's a better leader of people than Doug
3. He has a successful track record
4. As a start up they are dangerously close to turning a profit.
5. Coach amenities are better (so I'm told)
6. First Class is supposed to be significantly better

Only time will tell, US has Star Alliance in their favor and a good loyalty program which should keep the higher yield business traveler around. My prediction is that VX & US will co-exist and compete heavily for market share. US's secret weapon is Mr Nocella and his ability to price competition out of markets. From a consumer perspective this will be a good thing.


How profitable has VX been?
 
"Is that how PI did it?" followed by what was interpreted as "You hillbilly's don't know as much as we do so it's going to be the US way."

Sounds familiar, but this last time it was "We are going with best practices" and everyone got together and decided those, some east some west and then when presented the hue and cry from the East about changing things was "We are a big international airline" so we usually went with the squeaky wheel on most decision making.
 
You're right. Every merger entails "mirror image" since the two carriers have to be operating the same (same checklists, procedures, manuals, etc) before the FAA will grant a single certificate. I doesn't matter what it's called, the purpose is the same - have the two operations operating the same. Many have confused "mirror image" - a necessary component of any merger - with the process of coming up with the common checklists, procedures, etc. For the US/PI merger the latter was usually summed up with one question - "Is that how PI did it?" followed by what was interpreted as "You hillbilly's don't know as much as we do so it's going to be the US way."

Jim

In the case of HP-US, they were supposed to analyze and implement BEST PRACTICE of the two airlines. I think what we ended up with was
best practice unless they saw potential for pushback, then it became least path of resistance with an employee group.
 
How profitable has VX been?

They flirt with profitability regularity which I think I mentioned. They are essentially a start up whose numbers have gotten steadily better.

Not that I think it wrong but US Law has gotten in the way a bit. Sir Richard is a formidable businessman and competitor. It took Spirit a while to find their niche and hit their stride, now under the guidance of the "Killer B's" they are cruising along nicely.

One thing US does extremely well is protect what it considers "Bread & Butter" routes. This is especially true on anything coming in/out of PHL.

What I'm saying is NEVER EVER under estimate an enterprise run (Directly/indirectly) by Sir Richard Branson. I can see a protracted battle on these announced routes and that's good for customers. Lower fares, more choices is always good unless you're the one losing Money & Market Share.
 
. For the US/PI merger the latter was usually summed up with one question - "Is that how PI did it?" followed by what was interpreted as "You hillbilly's don't know as much as we do so it's going to be the US way."

Jim


"Cool Northern Efficiency"?
----------------------------------------------
http://airlineforums.com/topic/37248-catchphrase-needed/

A posting in the above thread asked for a catchphrase along the likes of "Cool Northern Efficiency". Four years later, let's give it another try. :unsure: 😛
 
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