ULCC Model in the U.S. - Page 5 - Airline Pilot Central Forums

#41

Rahlifer , 11-06-2019 06:23 AM

Banned

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omniscient

Haha. That’s awesome.

Best part of working at Spirit is my interaction with any back of the house trash, is minimal. 99% is fine and the 1% that isn’t, well there is a person to call for that. The days of leaving the flight deck to handle an issue went the way of the dodo when the social media presence increased on planes

Ironically the only fecal/bodily fluid issues I’ve had the pleasure of having to call cleaners for was from the “comfort animals.”

I saw a “comfort” chicken on a flight that had a little diaper on. It made me feel amused and hungry at the same time.

#42

OOfff , 11-06-2019 06:48 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunrig

Only thing is- WN is a desirable job while FR is a horrible company to work for...

Which means less than nothing in regards to their business model viability

#43

Popeye0537 , 11-06-2019 07:09 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmax757

I just did a search for a roundtrip LAS - MCO . depart 11-14 and return 11-18 cheapest nonstop fare.

Frontier is $220
Southwest is $560

So lets say a family of four traveling. You check one big bag on Frontier for $80 roundtrip and then do backpacks for the flight. Saving over $1200. That's a lot of money you can spend on your vacation.

I have a Delta captain friend that buys tickets on Frontier for his family instead of dealing with non rev fun.

So just saying cheap sells. Id be willing to bet most pilots on here go to Costco or Sams club.

Yes but you forgot to mention that the flight will cancel and then they will have to buy a ticket on another carrier....there goes the saving!!

#44

Sunrig , 11-06-2019 07:37 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by OOfff

Which means less than nothing in regards to their business model viability

I agree 100%. Although my comment didn’t contribute to the topic at hand I thought to point out the difference between the two LCC.

#45

rickair7777 , 11-06-2019 07:48 AM

Prime Minister/Moderator

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesky24

ULCC’s will also see their costs increase over time as their employee groups grow larger and negotiate better contracts and as their aircraft age. The problem is they compete on price and will struggle to increase revenue to match their increased costs. This is my opinion only

Your opinion is valid.

Startup airlines have these advantages if they can get off the ground. Also governments tend to favor startups with slots/gates and other freebies which would never be available to established carriers.

Long term as their costs increase and/or the economy tanks, startups tend to either fail or get absorbed into large carriers where the economy of scale exists.

Jetblue is an unusual startup winner IMO, in that they have achieved product differentiation and do not hinge their entire business model on cheap labor and low Mx costs (which don't last).

#46

TransWorld , 11-06-2019 08:09 AM

Gets Everyday Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rahlifer

I saw a “comfort” chicken on a flight that had a little diaper on. It made me feel amused and hungry at the same time.

Guess I would walk by and say I will take the leg. Don’t need the wing. Already have a pair of them.

#47

HeisenbergBlue , 11-06-2019 08:42 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popeye0537

Yes but you forgot to mention that the flight will cancel and then they will have to buy a ticket on another carrier....there goes the saving!!

Same can be said about any carrier... they all cancel at some point.

#48

Peacock , 11-06-2019 08:59 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeisenbergBlue

Same can be said about any carrier... they all cancel at some point.

Yet you only hear about people getting stranded by Frontier/Spirit/etc. If you’re getting a super cheap fare on a route that only has one flight a day or a few flights a week, you’re taking more of a risk than on a route with more frequent service.

#49

Omniscient , 11-06-2019 09:10 AM

Gets Weekends Off

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peacock

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.policygenius.com/blog/the-most-least-reliable-airlines-in-2019/amp/

Yet the chances of being canceled are lower on a few ULCC vs their legacy counterparts.

So to your point, it’s great American has more flight options because your flight completion is the most questionable in the industry

#50

Arturito , 11-06-2019 09:43 AM

Line Holder

Quote:
Europe has a Southwest. It’s called Ryan Air.

I'd rather say Easyjet is Europe's Southwest. LCC model and a desirable career airline with NB wages not too far behind BA/AF/KL/LH.
Both have very productive days but SW guys seem to have more days off per month.

Cheers