Ok. A couple things here... First, how a topic called What to do about CMH got into discussions of opening focus cities at PHL and/or IAD is beyond me. Frankly, nothing about how to fix CMH has been noted, other than it is supposed to lose money every year of the publicly available 7 year plan. I have to think there must be some profit-making ability there because otherwise it would not be in the 7 year plan, yet nobody here has any ideas on that topic?
Secondly, I don't see these great opportunities at PHL or IAD. Two to four gates which may or may not be available is hardly enough to mount an operation even the size of CMH. They have 10 gates or so at CMH right? And why would you move in on a carrier in BK. If US was still struggling outside BK or on the verge of collapse, maybe I could see it. But everyone knows the worst competitor in the airline business is a bankrupt airline. Why? Because they don't have to pay all their bills like the non-bankrupt airlines. Execs at UA, AA, DL, NW etc have all complained about the competitive disadvantage they face compare to an airline in bankrupcy over the last 20 years, particularly those that linger on. The AWA/N7 issues at LAS is one example. So why should AWA volunatarily take on an airline that can undercut them and yet is stronger than them, and incur some expense to do it?
Ok, so for a moment lets assume that for whatever reason, AWA decides to take on US at PHL. Where does AWA fly? Transcons against US and UA? AWA will lose to the other frequent flyer programs. Regardless of the new ticketing policies, AWA cannot offer the kinds of rewards UA and US can, like Europe, Caribbean, Asia, etc. Not to mention that UA has a huge FF presence in LA and US has a huge following in PHL. Not too many AWA FF's at either end. Should they fly PHL-BOS vs US and AA? Don't see that. Or maybe PHL-Florida vs US and FL. Nope that won't work either, AirTran already has AWA's niche. PHL-ORD vs. US, UA, and AA. God help them. With 2-4 gates, you cannot create effective connecting banks, so places like BDL, ORF, YUL won't work without the flow traffic.
So this big opportunity at PHL is based on p-o-ed pax about the FF and ticketing restrictions. They will probably get over it (I know, hard to imagine right now, especially the US FF's), or it won't last when someone (like AWA and LUV, or even NW since they haven't been going with the other majors on fare increases) don't match the policy anyway. In the mean time, AWA comes in, lowers fares, and US matchs, so FFs stick with USAir. Just like they did with AirTran on PIT-PHL and PIT-LGA. Just like they did when other low-fare guys tried PIT-PHL and PIT-BOS. Just like they did when Midway was in town. The only reason AirTran works to Florida is because the vacation traveller is going for the fare, not the FF/Hub carrier benefits.
Also, the last time US was challenged at PHL, they sent Midway to bankrupcy. Lets see... Down economy... check. Ambitious expansion... check. In fact, US is stronger at PHL now than they were then with Midway, from a monopoly power stand-point.
And I won't even mention the congestion at PHL as being an added cost to a low-cost airline...
And, I don't think the new management at US is running things the same way the old guys did. To quote a old slogan, This ain't you father's USAir. If Wolf and Co were still at the top of US, this might be a good opportunity. But these guys seem on the ball... More so than the last administration. They have publicly stated that PHL is their best O/D Hub. I've got to think they would vigorously defend it.
And many of the arguments work for IAD.
So, I understand where you guys are coming from, trying to find places for AWA to expand... And I am not trying to rain on your parade, I just think this idea is way too risky, given that you are fighting a loss at CMH (the original topic of this thread) and N7 at LAS (maybe?). And, I think AWA would be more successful fighting UA out west should UA begin to fall apart given their lack of leadership and the fact that AWA has a bit more staying power because they are bit more known out west than fighting US back east. That is, should they run out of ideas for CMH and LAS...
Meanwhile several other hubs have poor low-fare service where low-fare competition can't seem to get a foothold... MSP, DTW, CLE, PIT, CVG I think PHL is similar to these other hubs.
Just my opinion.
14 AM MiAAmi wrote: 
