Too much competition = pressure on fares. Virgin American just started, Southwest probably soon. Too much investment for what amounts to a couple routes.

Frankly I think all this was foreseeable 6 years ago when they started this.

 

Funny because there's been stories in the press lately about how a slightly used 777 has a list price of $10million, but the Delta CEO thinks they can be had for a couple of million if just a little patient.

 

You realize that ETOPS is non transferable, right? Adding a new or old ETOPS Airbus will require a new ETOPS application. Doesn't matter if they do it today or in 2 years.... It's the same process.

If you listened to JB, the market no longer makes sense for the company in addition to the heavy checks coming due. Those upset over this should be more familiar with how the company operates.

I would rather work for a company that knows how to allocate resources properly than continue to do the status quo just because. G-d knows this is one of the only things we do right.

Sucks for those that moved to Hawaii, but moving to a new base is always risky.

 

Well said.

 

I did not know it requires a new ETOPS application, my bad. You'd think it'd be easier than starting over however. I agree that the company is good at allocating its resources, but I'm tired of working for a company that doesn't value its employees, constantly tries to undermine our union and its leadership, without fail will step over a dollar to pick up a dime and more than anything puts dividends ahead of the operation and MX. As of the late the good is far outweighed by the bad. And before you say to just quit if you don't like it, believe me I'm working on it.

 

I think it was inevitable from the time it started that the Hawaii service was not going to last. They never knew what they wanted to do with it, and they didn't make as much money from it as they thought they should.

I also know they really didn't like following the ETOPs maintenance requirements, because they felt it was too expensive.

I know prior to when I left, they were looking at A321's to do the ETOPs flights. I don't know if there are A321's that can do it that aren't either brand new, or pretty close to it.

 

I'm not going to say that at all.... I agree 100%.

 

The sad thing is that the 757's were great planes when they first came, the company also said they "printed money" but surprisingly its expensive to keep up the etops certificate....

 

Well, congrats on whoever scored a 757 Type out of the deal. Hopefully it helps down the road...

 

I didn't mean why didn't they buy NEW replacement planes for the 757's getting retired. Everyone knows they don't buy new. I meant why didn't they replace them with planes of similar age as was the first group of 757's they bought? If it was a good move and correct decision back then it should be so again. That is their MO, buy low cost well-used planes that still have some decent time left. Not doing so means they have other reasons for pulling out of Hawaii market than just having to get replacement planes. The excuse of ending Hawaii service because they don't want to spend on the expensive recertification doesn't wash, they knew that cost would occur when they bought the planes and they planned to retire those original 757's and buy other used ETOPS aircraft. They said the 757's were very profitable for them, "printing money" as was said earlier. Something changed in their thinking about service to Hawaii, and after that they stayed in it only long enough to get the most value out of the 757's they had already bought before not being allowed to fly them any longer. They must have had unforeseen problems or other costs come up that moved them to abandon Hawaii. They've cut service to other places when profits didn't meet expectations but service to Hawaii was announced with big fanfare, along with talk of adding new routes to just outside USA resorts like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. That was going to be a big leap forward into high profit routes.