SmoothOnTop

Small group of formerly KPIT based, current US Airways employees drumming up interest for investment presentation to start new airline based KPIT.....hmmm

Slice

Just what the industry needs... With all the talk of consolidation, doesn't seem like a venture I'd put any money into.

__________________
Will fly for...$

tomgoodman

Some ex-EAL employees tried unsuccessfully to start one in ATL -- it was called KIWI Airlines. If you want to start an airline, do not use your own money.

SmoothOnTop

Might consolidation present opportunities to fill the vacuum left behind in markets dropped (KPIT) when established airlines marry?

Another question: A certificated airline needs a core structure/framework of key personnel. What percentage of *standard wages/compensation do you provide 110, 100, 90, 80, 70, 60 % so that you attract and retain the top talent, build a customer base - without draining your pockets and withering away?

* I realize standards are subjective, different, some flourishing and many recipes for multiple Chap 11 filings.

Comments, please...

CactusCrew

Sky Train ?

Wasn't that a failed PIT start-up YEARS and YEARS ago ?

SmoothOnTop

Flying KPIT East Coast, PR, some islands.

The narrow bodies are hard to come by.

What would it take to get financing for 10 CRJ-1000s?

How would you outfit them?

What would you pay pilots?

Cabin crewmembers?

Dispatchers?

Others?

JetPiedmont

Well, there was this man.....



Sir Freddie Laker. Lovely "chap", as they say over there. Known best for starting Freddie Laker's "SkyTrain" in England. He was previously a contractor for the Berlin Airlift, and started Laker Airways in the 1960's using 727's (see pic). Next he flew DC-10's as "SkyTrain" between Britian and the US starting in 1977 (Jimmy Carter helped facilitate the approval; his "warm up" for US deregulation later on). Fares were 35 pounds one way, and of course it went bankrupt in 1982 after about 5 years (all those mean legacy carriers trying to protect their turf no doubt. Also those problems with "The Ten"). Largest corporate bankruptcy in Britian's history at the time to the tune of 250 million pounds. Said he "wanted to bring air travel to the masses". He was knighted by the Queen the same year he started SkyTrain. Royality loves a little populist theater every now and then.

He died in 2006 after a couple more failed startups. Richard Branson considered him a mentor, named one of his first 747's after him. Freddie encouraged Branson to sue Brittish Airways in the early 90's for predatory pricing, a case which they won. JP

SmoothOnTop

Maybe I should try this software out:

http://pc.gamezone.com/gamesell/p21384.htm

III Corps

Group with more money than organization tried to get a DC-9 airborne. It had a locomotive on the tail and the airline got about as much flying time as a locomotive.

The manuals submitted to the FAA were very poor if not farcical according to sources. The airplane sat at the FBO for quite some time before it chug-chugged off somewhere into oblivion.

SmoothOnTop

Anybody interested?

I've got a verbal commitment from my finance team for half of my 401k.

We can go simple - a sole B1900 flying nonstop KPIT to the Islands - you know Coney, Long Island, LaGuardia (Riker's).

Or regional, crj-1000s KPIT to Bermuda, etc.

Or big time, take 1/2 of the 401k and put it all on red.

Any takers?


Aw -c'mon - Most aircraft would have a difficult time maintaining flight if there was just a sub-compact car on the tail.