Originally Posted by
iaflyer
You mean stuff like Nashville to Boston (biz pax) or Tulsa to Orlando (vacationers, ala Alliegent)? Alliegent wins in those markets because they sell a lot of extra services with the flight, like car rentals and hotels. I think we've tried with CRJs, I know I saw a Nashville to Orlando flight in the past, but I think high oil killed it.
I actually mean GSO-GSP-ATL or ROC-ERI-DTW.
You could do the first with 88s and the second with 9s and still keep every frequency and at least in the first case with a few direct flights have a near wash in inventory.
Originally Posted by
iaflyer
CRJs - a quick answer is how many companies do you see flying just CRJs? Ehh... zip. Indy Air tried it. Failed. ExpressJet tried it. Failed. I am pretty sure (but no data to back it up since no one will release the figures) that RJs are subsidized by mainline - can't see how they would still be around otherwise.
I hear ya.
The argument for CRJs and I guess if LM's quote was accurate, RJ's are good for Delta pilots because they give us reach into markets and those people connect on our larger jets to go elsewhere.
Why can't we do that connection flying? Sure CRJ900s may have the same if not better CASM than an 88 but why is having 2 airplanes do the same job better? I don't care about the CASM when it's so close as to not make up the total cost of having 2 jets fly from 2 cities rather than a SWA style 1 jet hitting 2 cities. After all 2 jets is 2 blips is 2 gates is 6 rampers is 2 $9/hr gate agents is another or maybe 2 contract airlines to manage is 4 pilots is... and so on.
And yes I get it, 2 jets is 4 pilots and 1 jet is 2 pilots. But that's when you're looking out for everyone but yourself. Right now it's 0 Delta pilots doing some of these routes and 4 RJ pilots. How about 2 Delta pilots and hire 2.5 RJ pilots?
And how is it better to have someone else do our primary core job? How is it better that passengers get off a jet that they thought was Delta, hence Delta Con, but was some regional airline they've never heard of and the FO is wearing a I LUV SOUTHWEST laynard as they say goodbye. What the hell is that?
And I get that story from someone who posted on here about their experience on a ASA flight btw, the "hometown" regional airline. But as long as they're not Delta employees they're not Delta employees and don't have to be if they don't want to be.
Originally Posted by
acl65pilot
Bingo.
I was able to coast for the last few years on the sale of a previous investment, but before I pi$$ it all away, I want to reinvest it. I agree, I make 5K a month net from this job sitting on reserve on the ER. (give or take) It is not enough to provide the quality education for my kids, nor can my wife be a stay at home Mommy, which is where she wants to be. We all have choices to make.
Reality is that those that are not paycheck to paycheck can hold out longer than those that are barely making it when the contract talks get ugly. I prefer to be in the position that I do not have to take what "may" be offered.
I too want this job to pay what it should. It would be nice to make a respectable living doing it. I know how I will vote, but I am one of 12K.
Having a small business is just plain smart. If you can run a bunch of expenses though the LLC and have it sustain you and your family, the money made here can be saved. With all of the extra flying we are doing in today's world, the long term effects on our health and the ability to maintain a class I medical have not been tested. The last thing I want is to lose my medical and not be able to provide for my family.
I'm down 89% of my cash savings since taking this job.
Stuff happens, kids happen. We're building it back up but this job is paycheck to paycheck and has been for almost two years now and that's significant budget cuts and a 11 year old truck and 6 year old van. I'm not back to the pay I had before I was hired here in 07 and started in 08... but, I'm so happy I'm here. Do not get me wrong. Very happy. Would do it again in a blink of an eye. Feel extremely lucky to be here because I see what's out there. And yes I bid down to reserve but most months I wouldn't have a choice but I complain to nobody. Not even here. Not going anywhere. Hope to fly jets for this airline for the full 35 years.
Just chiming in on what % I started with and where I am now.