Great Lakes flight loads?
11-04-2008, 02:28 AM
#11
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Posts: 86
Was anybody else a little surprised when they learned how EAS routes are funded? I know that kind of flying creates jobs, but EAS needs to go away. Why is a community entitled to air service if it can't be made profitable? If there is a road to the city it should be disqualified form EAS funding.
According to the Wikipedia page about Essential Air Service, total annual subsidies are more than $146 million.
According to the Wikipedia page about Essential Air Service, total annual subsidies are more than $146 million.
11-04-2008, 04:35 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: Couch-Horizontal
Posts: 467
Originally Posted by timeless
Was anybody else a little surprised when they learned how EAS routes are funded? I know that kind of flying creates jobs, but EAS needs to go away. Why is a community entitled to air service if it can't be made profitable? If there is a road to the city it should be disqualified form EAS funding.
According to the Wikipedia page about Essential Air Service, total annual subsidies are more than $146 million.
According to the Wikipedia page about Essential Air Service, total annual subsidies are more than $146 million.
11-04-2008, 06:19 AM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2005
Posts: 203
Den-fmn
LOW FUEL,
DEN to FMN is a crapshoot. The loads are generally pretty high, and there is often a weight restriction. Add to that several NRs that travel regularly.
If you go to the Great Lakes website and input the city pair, you can get a general idea of the load based on what fares are available. If there are any "Non Refundable" (cheap) tickets still available, then the load is pretty light.
Otherwise, give GL a call, and they will give you the loads, including the number of NRs that are listed. (Obviously you won't be able to figure the NR number from the website.)
Great Lakes Airlines
The res number is 800-554-5111. To list, they want you to call 5112 during business hours. This is the NR number. Leave a message, they are very good about calling back.
Be sure to list.
Cheers,
Hog
DEN to FMN is a crapshoot. The loads are generally pretty high, and there is often a weight restriction. Add to that several NRs that travel regularly.
If you go to the Great Lakes website and input the city pair, you can get a general idea of the load based on what fares are available. If there are any "Non Refundable" (cheap) tickets still available, then the load is pretty light.
Otherwise, give GL a call, and they will give you the loads, including the number of NRs that are listed. (Obviously you won't be able to figure the NR number from the website.)
Great Lakes Airlines
The res number is 800-554-5111. To list, they want you to call 5112 during business hours. This is the NR number. Leave a message, they are very good about calling back.
Be sure to list.
Cheers,
Hog
Last edited by Groundhog; 11-04-2008 at 06:21 AM. Reason: added website
11-05-2008, 07:13 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: 75/76 FO
Posts: 217
I agree that EAS is a huge waste of money. For example, ZK operates into multiple cities in Kansas that are within 90 minutes DRIVING distance from each other.
Garden City to Dodge City: 52 miles
Garden City to Liberal: 68 miles
Lakes serves all three cities. Why not just serve GCK and make people from Dodge and Liberal drive there?
Or example two:
Manhattan (KS) to Salina: 68 miles
Hays to Salina: 98 miles (almost entirely on I-70, about a 90 minute drive)
Same deal, just fly into Salina and cut out the other two cities. There are suburbs in major metropolitan cities that are further away from their airport than this. There are countless other examples.
So I wouldn't say that EAS needs to go away completely, but the program could be easily reduced by 50% or more.
Garden City to Dodge City: 52 miles
Garden City to Liberal: 68 miles
Lakes serves all three cities. Why not just serve GCK and make people from Dodge and Liberal drive there?
Or example two:
Manhattan (KS) to Salina: 68 miles
Hays to Salina: 98 miles (almost entirely on I-70, about a 90 minute drive)
Same deal, just fly into Salina and cut out the other two cities. There are suburbs in major metropolitan cities that are further away from their airport than this. There are countless other examples.
So I wouldn't say that EAS needs to go away completely, but the program could be easily reduced by 50% or more.
11-06-2008, 09:19 AM
#16
Portuguese Troubleshooter
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: Burrito Bomber
Posts: 370
EAS also helps grow small town economies. There have been a handful a communities that have seen passenger traffic increase enough that EAS subsidies are no longer needed. Granted, its not the majority but I do think it provides an important service.
I do agree with Trogdor though, there is way too much redundancy in certain areas (*cough* Kansas) and if the contracts were consolidated you would see a better chance of non-subsidized air service.
I do agree with Trogdor though, there is way too much redundancy in certain areas (*cough* Kansas) and if the contracts were consolidated you would see a better chance of non-subsidized air service.
11-20-2008, 06:06 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: propjob teacher
Posts: 224
just got an email from GL and they want me to call them. Anything i should know before i call?? I would love to go out there and check it out, do the interview at LEAST for interview experience. I have minimal bills, and I'm still thinking theres no way I could afford to live. At least not for 15 months, because sallie mae is gonna start knockin at my door soon. Any word from a Laker would be awesome! (as mentioned before, theres a lot of GL bashers out there so i want to hear something from somebody who IS there)
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