Sink r8

What's your source for this? I missed the term "commuter slots" in the press releases, which stated larger/mainline aircraft.

FlyinPiker

I think the majority of these routes will be started with 50 seat jets either getting tossed out of CVG or being replaced by DC-9's down in ATL...then we'll go from there as the market dictates.

I don't buy that we would take a mainline jet off of a route that is already making us money and place it on new routes that were previously being operated by a SF-340, DH-8, or ERJ/CRJ.

No need to come in there guns a blazin into a new market that is just being developed. With upgrades to all jet-equipment, our terminal, and the chance to build miles to use toward a variety of destinations we will already be offering a much more enhanced product.

If demand calls for it, then maybe I can 50 seaters being phased out.

That being said there was an increase of 42 narrowbody positions in NYC on this latest AE, and the articles do state there will be some mainline expansion in addition to connection service...the roots are there to grow grow grow!

Razor

Careful now. That attitude may fly in the regional forum but around here we treat each other with respect. Talk like this will get you ignored pretty quickly.

Sink r8

Piker,

If I understand correctly, Delta can't indiscriminately add more 76-seaters in the system. The 76-seaters they have already are currently used elsewhere. So even if we assume that all of this LGA flying is 76-seat RJ's, then you have to conclude that many, if not all of the markets currently served by 76-seaters need a replacement aircraft (since they were important enough to see the use of a limited number of 76-seaters).

The only options, with 76-seat aircraft being limited, then is to a) downgrade, or b) upgrade. If those markets deserved two-class service yesterday, it seems that it would be a poor move to field 50-seat or single-class 70-seat aircraft to replace them today. I would think one way or another, this helps DC-9 flying, and all narrow-body flying. In LGA, or elsewhere.

So, I'm optimistic as well. Optimistic for mainline.

FlyinPiker

The exact wording from press release put out directly from DAL is:

Delta expects to more than double the number of nonstop destinations it serves from LaGuardia by adding or preserving service to more than 30 small- and medium-sized communities. The airline plans to add new flights to more than a dozen cities not currently served by US Airways. In every slot where US Airways operates small turboprops today, Delta will operate larger jets.

A CRJ is a jet, and it is larger.

BigGuns

This is the USAIR spin on the subject. They say the slots are "currently used..." as commuter slots ...
US Airways | US Airways announces slot transaction with Delta Air Lines

Transaction highlights

• US Airways will obtain 42 pairs of slots (roundtrip flights) at Washington, DC’s Reagan National Airport and will acquire the rights to expand to Sao Paulo and Tokyo.
• US Airways will transfer to Delta 125 pairs of slots currently used to provide US Airways Express service at LaGuardia.
• US Airways will maintain a significant presence at LaGuardia Airport including the popular, business-friendly US Airways Shuttle. No changes are planned for US Airways' mainline flight levels at LaGuardia.
• US Airways expects the transaction to improve its profitability by more than $75 million annually.

Tempe, AZ, August 12, 2009 – US Airways (NYSE: LCC) today announced a transaction with Delta Air Lines that will allow US Airways to expand service at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), and enter key business centers in Brazil and Japan. US Airways will obtain 42 pairs of Delta's slots at DCA and acquire the rights to expand to Tokyo, Japan and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Simultaneously, US Airways will transfer 125 pairs of its slots to Delta at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA). One slot equals one takeoff or landing; so one pair of slots equals one roundtrip flight.

US Airways will retain a significant presence at LGA. The reduction in flying necessitated by the transfer of LGA slots will be accomplished through reductions in US Airways Express flying. The airline does not plan to make any changes to mainline flight levels, including its popular US Airways Shuttle service with hourly flights from New York to Boston and Washington. After the transaction is complete, US Airways will be the third largest carrier at LGA (based on peak day departures) and will operate up to 72 peak-day flights.

“We are very excited about today's announcement which presents an excellent opportunity to strengthen our network while bringing more jet air service to smaller communities from our nation's capital," said US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker. "This transaction will improve US Airways’ near and long-term profitability to the benefit of our employees, our customers, the communities we serve and our shareholders.

The transaction is structured as two simultaneous asset sales and is expected to be cash neutral to US Airways. US Airways estimates the transaction will improve profitability by more than $75 million annually.

Sink r8

Piker,

Looks like we typed at the same time. We offered two different views about 50-seaters, obviously.

One thing to keep in mind: we also have slots. We surely also have slots for large aircraft that we've been holding with smaller aircraft. We can substitute with larger aircrat into our own slots, assuming there really are two kinds of slots and assuming you're right about LCC giving us only "Commuter" slots.

Sink r8

Thanks. I guess the question is whether a slot "currently jused to provide UsAirways Express service" is the same as a slot that can only be used by RJ's. I recall there were additional slots given at LGA to spank majors and promote new entrants, but I didn't know they were designed to limit aircraft size. In fact, at the time, there was a lot of noise about legacies using aircraft at LGA that were "too small".

acl65pilot

I am here and sir 757 stated it best. I live and breathe this stuff and can connect most dots. IMHO this has rjet written all over it. I think they owned most of those gates.
Also I bet rjet gets lcc's 190's. I personally think this is the first of a few changes up in NYC. Burn is correct we are doing a lot of work there. More to come. I bet this will be both rj's and Mainline. This AE should give some insight to that.
Also not sure it is connected but Boeing has 61 orders for 73n's that they will not announce customers for. It is two orders the 700 would play nice. I am not inferring these are ours, just pointing to some of my dots an the wall. I just hope they do not move Mesa back in!

This should put us at staffing neutral at worst! I would not say hiring quite yet.

BigGuns

I would not be surprised to see some of these t-prop/50 rj routes discontinued, or sent through DTW CVG & ATL. Then see the slots free up to do some more profitable longer flights west and south. Who knows? But I guarantee that Hauenstein already has a plan.