I took an hour delay in DEN about a month ago because ramp loaded us with bags destined for MCO, and we were going to MCI. Problem was, they couldn't find most of the MCI bags. I didn't hear what ultimately happened, but I assume they went to MCO which left 30 minutes before us.

 

I was in shock... It is amazing what happens when you add an extra 10+ minutes to every turn... Not trying to turn 321neos in 45 mins helps. We have been slightly late departing and usually early arriving, or early departing and early arriving every flight the last couple of days, it has been great.

Also, FWIW. ATL got a new GM for Menzies he came and introduced himself to us when we were turning there. The guy is pretty awesome, former DAL, UAL, etc... He said he is going to work on fixing the staffing issue with rampers, and I have already seen new ones getting trained. Though he did say they have no control over what management tells the agents to do as far as closing flights, not reopening, etc... so there is still room for improvement obviously. I have only had to wait about 2 mins for rampers once in the last week, even though we arrived 15+ mins early each flight through there. Only thing we waited for that took longer than 5 mins was a gate agent to drive the jetbridge, which I understand since we were 40 mins early that one.

DS also said before he left in recurrent last month that they were planning on bringing in gate agents back to the company because of the complaints... so I guess we will see. If we run like this for the foreseeable future, it would be a welcomed and exciting change.

 

Just curious what the load factors have been ? I’ve been less than 50 percent LF on my last 10 flights except for one full one. A buddy flew Cun to PHL in a 321 neo with 20 pax. A lot easier to be on time like that .

 

Lowest I have had was 130. Most were oversold or above 170.

 

I have seen the same. Granted I really prefer to only fly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays which are poor anyway. SWA also had a poor august on the low end of estimates according to a recent Reuters article.

 

Same here. Peak summer travel is clearly over but the loads have been fine. Q3 is typically a leisure airlines worst quarter. Sept/ Oct are the lowest travel times of the year I believe

 

I believe the worst months, at least for the Big-3, are post-Christmas, and before Spring Break.

indeed, Q3 is dead also.

 

I was just trying to point out that with the lower load factors our metrics have improved. The changing of block times has helped also.

I have also noticed there is an actual cleaning crew with vacuums. So that’s a plus for improving the product.

 

Most of our clients feel more comfortable and 'at home' with a fine layer of nacho cheese dorito dust on the seats

 

These are the same dudes that brag about working their ass off and making $750k a year at Frontier while repping the company at the job fairs… should not be surprising.