AA Question
 

Anyone from AA:

Has the company announced the retirement schedule for parking the MD's?

(or has it even been planned yet?)

Not a flame.

Just curious, as I heard something from a friend who claims to be in the know.

No schedule for parking MDs yet. In fact they actually brought one or two out of the desert recently due to fuel prices dropping. Ditto for the Airbus. My guess is that as long as fuel prices stay low, their schedule for parking airplanes is up in the air (pun intended. ;))

73

OK, thanks.

I heard that 200 MD's to be parked by end of 2009.

The slower the better, I love those things...especially as a passenger.

They AMR works, they'll probably start pulling the 72's out of the desert. Then when fule goes back up they'll lose so much money they'll need ask for concessions....:rolleyes:

Obviously their long term goal is to replace the MD-80 with a similar aircraft. Right now they are using the 737-800. I don't see them bringing 300-400 737s on property though. They are probably going to order a bunch of the 737 replacement that will come out someday with the 787 technology and efficiency.

I jumpseated on them in the back. Three hour flight, no music or movie system. It was as fun as riding in the back of a C-141, but warmer and less noise. Flight attendants were the same. ;)

Being that you can't even get new A320 or 737 orders before 2018 the MD-80's make even more sense.

Then they should buy used ones. Oil prices will be back on the rise in another year, sooner if the Middle East goes up in flames. If memory serves, once oil goes over $80/barrel, flying MD-80's becomes economically unfeasible against more fuel efficient aircraft. Isn't this the primary reason Midwest is now parking their little fleet?

Aircraft that have been paid for long ago that burn a little more fuel are still less expensive than fuel efficient aircraft with huge lease payments.

A number of the MD-80s they picked up from TWA were among the newest out there.

You have got to be kidding, do you think there is a pool of used or pre-owned 737-800s and A320 with CFM-56 motors (the good engine) just sitting around? NO.. Were not in Kansas anymore and other countries are buying their own domestic capacity as fast as it pours off the assembly lines. The MD-80s are gonna have to pull their own weight for a few more years.

Fuel efficient, what is fuel efficient about E-145s carrying 50 pax (assuming they are even full or not weight restricted) at 2400 pounds an hour? The Maddog can carry just under 150 on 6000 pounds / hr and their bags too!!! The RJs will be the first to get the boot.

Agreed but how efficient is the MD-80 when it is only carrying 50 pax to and 75 pax back from?

Face it, neither are fuel efficient. Time to trade the E-145s in for Q400s and park the MD-80s. Are you a Delta pilot or a regional feeding Delta?

Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner! Think they know something most of our MD-80 pilots don't?

Not sure what motors they have, but a friend out at Phoenix Goodyear sent me this tonight:

http://i402.photobucket.com/albums/p...cember2008.jpg