KC10 FATboy

Plus you forget, people can use their cellphones and computers during the entire trip.

johnso29

Hey ACL65, how are the future bookings looking? Are this summers bookings still good? What about Sept-Dec? Thanks

Martin404

Or the Big 80's band DEVO... "Remember to do nothing when you don't know what to do". ("Love without Anger" from: New Traditionalists)

Remember DEVO?

MARTY!

Martin404

I've lived in DC for 14 years. There is a big difference between BWI and DCA. I don't see the shuttle losing much. Business people are the bread and butter of the shuttle and business types don't want to go to BWI. (I'm former USAir and commuted on both shuttles)

buzzpat

Are We Not Men? We Are Devo!

iaflyer

And with a data card for your laptop, you can send emails and do lots of work on the train. I would think that Amtrak can compete with the shuttle on Office-to-Office time - then when you throw in the additional productivity on the train....

KC10 FATboy

I think the Shuttle is a losing brand.

Even when we have irops, the passengers come up to us and ask "it probably would be best to just go the train station wouldn't it?"

Also, regular shuttle paxs are sick and tired of the cancellations or delays. Routinely, not exaggerating, routinely I hear passengers say that we cancel the flights because they aren't full.

Ironic they say that, because rarely are they full.

iceman49

The problem is more than just gate agents, pax want a reasonable price...don't want to be gouged, they should be able to check in quickly with software that does not take 3x longer than the competitor. When you get to the gate...why can't the agent just pick up the mic and announce what zone is boarding instead of wasted movement back to the counter to press a button to have a computer make the announcement. Not convinced that the zone approach is the way to go from some studies I've seen.

They want on on time company, not one that waits at the gate ad nausem for weight and balence or late pax, late out late in. Offer the full can of soda, not just the glass.

Have the managment get out with real people...don't let the secretary announce you're coming..."right fleeting" is a great idea, but if you don't get the basics done your right fleeting will need smaller and smaller aircraft. Bigger, doesn't mean better...on time, good price thats what's its about, branding was talked about earlier in the thread....that also works both ways.

We need to make an exponential leap in technology, pax don't like not getting their bags, but if you can get it to them in a reasonable time its ok...we need better tracking software.

Buying people off works if you have good revenue management, eg the majority will not use their "dollars" on later flights...you win.

iceman49

Sorry had a double post

captjns

Given the state of the economy, and at a cost savings of about 18%, you’ll probably see more executives taking the train from Manhattan rather than the jet.

Yeah the jet gets you there quicker, but factor the taxis, traffic, and death marches though the terminals, on both sides… how much time do you actually lose by taking the train?

For a shareholder of a publicly traded corporation, does the Shuttle justify the 600% cost factor over the train?