Originally Posted by
ForeverFO
If Parker didn't care about service before, I think that will change. We've already made a statement with the Airbii transcon configurations. And despite our service the last few years, AA has traditionally been known as a "premium" carrier.
I don't know about you guys, but I'd like to see us return to that. The public is SICK of the cattle car treatment, they're tired of being treated like meat on a hook. I think the market is there.
I'd like to see the nickle and dime fees go away, but they are with us forever... there's too much money to be made, and less taxes to pay.
Interesting article:
Despite Euphoria, American Airlines Faces Some Harsh Realities - TheStreet
"The team battled Southwest in Phoenix and held it to a draw, but Southwest competed on price, not on domestic or global connections. Is it possible that American is still competing with Southwest, adding seats to three aircraft types? Is that what corporate fliers want? At O'Hare, "there is going to be hard-fought, hammer and tongs battles for corporate contracts," said aviation consultant Bob Mann. "It will be fought contract by contract." "
Ted Reed has some experience with US. He used to work for US and the Charlotte Observer.
I do think things will be at least a little different this time. The fee cat is out of the bag, but I think they are better at targeting them at the right people. If they buy a really cheap ticket, charge them for air. If they are paying for first class, give them first class.
With US/AW, they always said they had a revenue disadvantage and had to keep things tight. SW was the major competitor in PHX. Things are different now, and the main source of revenue isn't the backpack crowd. They might be packing more in the back, but hopefully they will keep the front cabins good, or even make them better.