04-16-2018Quote:
I guess I'm just looking at the big, long-term picture. I'm talking the next 5 to 15 years and beyond. I see AS getting squeezed on all sides by DL in SEA, UA in SFO, AA in LAX, WN, well, pretty much everywhere, and the only thing that will keep AS alive will be great service and low fares.
And right now AS enjoys a CASM advantage of anywhere from 20% or better over those carriers, meaning we can hang on longer in a low fare environment than they can. In addition, we didn't make the colossal mistake of chasing after premium transcon traffic with a small, expensive sub-fleet of dedicated transcon aircraft that you can't plug into the rest of the network when needed. I really think that is going to be a big leg up going forward.
I also see potential aircraft orders on the horizon that can help; we may keep or even expand the A321NEO fleet, but I see great interest in the MOM project down the line, and possibly even CS300 equipment on mainline routes at some point. I see a future with 100 new mainline aircraft on the property in the next 5-7 years.
But we won't get there if we can't remain competitive while also offering a great product.
I don't think I've actually posted since I flew a Baron. Since you're not a pilot, it's a small twin piston engine plane, usually flown at night solo to build hours in thunderstorms and ice... solo to make less than $20,000 after paying over $100,000 to get the training or dedicating years of service in our military. We do these things to get to where are now because we are professionals,we pride ourselves on being the best, and we love our profession...Not our job, but our profession.Originally Posted by EA CO AS
You're actually being far more civil than many others here, which I appreciate.I guess I'm just looking at the big, long-term picture. I'm talking the next 5 to 15 years and beyond. I see AS getting squeezed on all sides by DL in SEA, UA in SFO, AA in LAX, WN, well, pretty much everywhere, and the only thing that will keep AS alive will be great service and low fares.
And right now AS enjoys a CASM advantage of anywhere from 20% or better over those carriers, meaning we can hang on longer in a low fare environment than they can. In addition, we didn't make the colossal mistake of chasing after premium transcon traffic with a small, expensive sub-fleet of dedicated transcon aircraft that you can't plug into the rest of the network when needed. I really think that is going to be a big leg up going forward.
I also see potential aircraft orders on the horizon that can help; we may keep or even expand the A321NEO fleet, but I see great interest in the MOM project down the line, and possibly even CS300 equipment on mainline routes at some point. I see a future with 100 new mainline aircraft on the property in the next 5-7 years.
But we won't get there if we can't remain competitive while also offering a great product.
To your point about the transcon market. You speak in numbers and power points. Thats good to a certain extent if you're in a meeting.In the real world, especially in SF/LA, those markets don't cater to the Alaska product(no offense) compared to the value a Virgin aircraft offers. Those people will pay a slightly upward premium and I feel Alaska is throwing that away as a result and our people will go to Jetblue Mint, DL lie flat seats etc.
I'm a Virgin guy. I know what I signed up for and I know Im lucky for the chance to join a quality group of pilots at Alaska with their benefits of a new contract.
That being said, we are ALL in this together.
To the second point, we will NOT remain competitive when management overwhelming ****es off their pilot workforce. The workforce that Brad said in his email the other day that are really the Captains of the operation. All their actions in the last year say otherwise in an effort to save a few bucks and undermine what Alaska has built over the years.
Until that changes, my Orange lanyard stays on
