Airline Pilot Central Forums - Why do People from other regionals Envy Skywest

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Fokker28 (Post 316963)

They're facing the same issues as us at QX: We can't compete with SWA between the big markets up and down the western US. Point-point (non-hub) is the way to maintain your own markets.

I understand that - what I don't understand is how they pick those point-to-point, non-hub markets...Oooh to be a fly on the wall :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExperimentalAB (Post 316976)

Would you expect a low-fare when you're booking a flight for the very next day??? Because that is how you came up with $211. If you would, I might say that you need to do a little homework! Typically, lower-fares are offered to customers purchasing tickets at least two weeks in advance - this is how the vast majority of tickets are sold, and so it is safe to assume that those are "normal" fares.

By the way, your ABQ-ONT fare, when purchased 14 days in advance, comes out to a whopping $91.

Bottom line is XJT is doing better than FLYI ever did so they must be doing something right? I suggest you do a little more homework. Have you ever flown on ExpressJet? Where did you get your expertise on the ExpressJet business model?:cool:

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExperimentalAB (Post 316976)

And do you honestly think in this world of procrastinating people that everyone buys their tickets 14 days in advance? How about a death in the family? Or a new business proposal that just came out? Would you care to show me statistics that the majority of people buy their tickets at least two weeks in advance? You have NO idea that this is how the vast majority of tickets are sold, therefore it is NOT safe to assume that those are "normal" fares.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExperimentalAB (Post 316978)

I understand that - what I don't understand is how they pick those point-to-point, non-hub markets...Oooh to be a fly on the wall :D

Did you ever think that just maybe they hired the same route analysts as Southwest?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExperimentalAB (Post 316978)

I understand that - what I don't understand is how they pick those point-to-point, non-hub markets...Oooh to be a fly on the wall :D

Same thing SWA does, not very hard to see that the idea is. XJT goes to markets not served by anyone else thus Avoiding hubs, thats the idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superpilot92 (Post 316982)

1) I never said XJT wasn't doing well. My post was purely a rebuttal to another's, who said that their branded is not selling low-fares.

2) I have flown on ExpressJet. After all, I did work for them...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExperimentalAB (Post 316987)

Now i know why you have your stance. :cool:

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnso29 (Post 316983)

A death in the family is not a normal, everyday affair. I invite you to informally poll friends and family on their traveling habits. Let me know what you find, because I have a sneaky suspicion that you'll be buying me a beer. :D

You know as well as I do that with the American flying-public, the chance to shave $10 off a round-trip to FLL would easily overcome the allure of procrastination!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExperimentalAB (Post 316992)

Yes, but new business proposals and last minute plans can be very normal. I never said that there were not lower fares, but not all fares are low. And the comparison to Indy is a worn out argument that doesn't hold water. The only similarity is 50 seat jets.

I don't have time to poll though, I have to search for the lowest fare to Vegas for my trip this summer!!:D:D

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExperimentalAB (Post 316943)

Just walked past an ExpressJet billboard in Tucson that was advertising non-stops to GEG and MCI...

I would love to be behind those closed doors when the powers-that-be decide what routes to fly...what a whacky route-structure!

They analyzed dozens of market pairs that had no current airline serving those city pairs. They picked the ones they thought would have the best chance at success.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExperimentalAB (Post 316954)

"Very low fares" is relative...I call $99 El Paso to Ontario, CA a low fare...

I think he meant that XJT doesn't sell the $19 fares that I believe FlyI was selling. There will always be "low" fares in the 21 day bucket to attract traffic to any airline.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExperimentalAB (Post 316978)

I understand that - what I don't understand is how they pick those point-to-point, non-hub markets...Oooh to be a fly on the wall :D

No current service, medium sized cities, X number of people already traveling between the two cities through another connecting city.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExperimentalAB (Post 316987)

XJT is not trying to be a LCC. That is not the model they are pursuing. There will be "low" (probably never anything as low as FlyI had) fares to begin with to attract a customer base. The plan is to get the average fare up about 20%.