Dan Webb on Aviation
Now that I’m semi-recovered from my trip, here’s my trip report on the flights. If you want to read about the cruise I took, then go here.
As much as I love planes, I only get to fly about once a year. This year was different, though, as I was able to fly to Europe in April. But this was the first time I’ve flown out of my local airport, T.F. Green (PVD), since last year. So let’s get to it.
Continue reading ‘My Recent Trip on Southwest’
Ok, I’m back from a great vacation, and I’m working on a trip report now. I have one more thought, though, on Continental’s intent to join the Star Alliance, and I’m not sure if anyone else has pointed it out. Last week I mentioned that Continental’s hub in Newark is good for the Star Alliance.
Remember when Lufthansa bought 19% of JetBlue? Many started to wonder what Lufthansa planned to do, and if a partnership would emerge. At that time, a partner at JFK was very attractive to the airline. I wonder if Contienental’s intention to move into Star changes any plans.
Note: This is an article that was written before I went on vacation that my good friend Jon Heckman graciously offered to post for me. I will return to normal posting on June 29.
…at least they are according to Joe Brancatelli of Conde Nast Portfolio. His article was written recently after the Southwest safety issue, and he does make a few points that are worth arguing. But this last bit annoyed me:
One more thing to worry about: Pilot pay has been slashed so drastically that airlines can’t find qualified candidates to fly commuter aircraft, the entry-level flying job. With pay for commuter flights starting not far above minimum wage (some pilots have left to drive trucks), airlines are hiring pilots with as little as 500 hours of flight experience. That’s about half the old minimum requirement.
The claim that the pilots are commuter aircraft aren’t qualified is especially annoying. I know a few people studying at places like Embry Riddle. Recent college graduates often fly the smaller aircraft. These students are quite prepared by their instructors and are, if anything, over-qualified for their jobs in my opinion.
Also, the requirements have changed as technology has changed. GPS units have made navigation much more accurate. the introduction of TCAS units into more and more aircraft mean that pilots can more esaily monitor the air traffic around them. Also, simulators that can be customized for special situations are more common in training.
He is right that the pay at first is pretty horrible, though. But it does improve over time, especially when one makes the leap to mainline aircraft.
So I’d have to say that the pilots on the regional airlines, even if they’re young and fresh out of school, are qualified for their jobs and are perfectly safe pilots.
Note: This is an article that was written before I went on vacation that my good friend Jon Heckman graciously offered to post for me. I will return to normal posting on June 29.
The 737 classics are having a very rough year. United, Continental, US Airways, Southwest, and now Lufthansa are cutting back or eliminating their fleets of these aircraft. Lufthansa will be replacing its 737-300s and 737-500s the next few years with A320s.
In other news, the carrier has also started certifying its pilots for the A380, which is certainly exciting! The pilots are coming from the A330/A340 fleet. Does anyone know if there is any commonality among the aircraft?
In addition, the 747-8s, if there are no delays, are slated to move into service by 2010.
Note: This is an article that was written before I went on vacation that my good friend Jon Heckman graciously offered to post for me. I will return to normal posting on June 29.
This soap opera just won’t end! The Air Force is reconsidering its tanker bid, even though it had previously awarded the contract to Northrop Grumman’s plan based on the A330. Basically, the Government Accountability Office says the decision was not made by the correct standards. Now maybe it really didn’t follow its own standards and this is legitimate. I may just like conspiracy theories, but let me speculate for a bit. Take a look at some of the comments from members of the House and Senate on this issue:
Greetings from sunny overcast and warm Fort Lauderdale! The flight was very good and I’ll share my thoughts on Southwest and their recent changes (I haven’t flown them in a year) when I get back.
Well this has been rumored ever since Continental turned down a merger with United, and it has finally happened. Continental will be launching a codeshare program with United, though the airlines will cooperate in many ways other than a simple codeshare, as the press release says. More importantly (I think), Continental wants to join the Star Alliance.
Honestly this move isn’t too shocking because of events going on in Skyteam. With the Northwest-Delta merger and their partnership with Air France and KLM, Continental probably felt a bit left out.
Continue reading ‘Continental Wants United Codeshare and Star Alliance Membership’
I know, this is the second time a change has occured this week. I’m leaving for a cruise tomorrow morning. I’m flying down the day before the ship leaves, so I will be writing tomorrow’s post from the hotel. The cruise lasts a week, but I do have some posts on tap. A friend generously offered to put them on the site for me. There will not be a new post every day, but expect a few.
Anyways, I’ll be back in action June 29!
Today marked the beginning Merrill Lynch Global Transportation Conference, where basically all of the majors make big presentations to investors. At this event Northwest CEO Doug Steenland announced how they were planning to cut capacity.
A forum member on Flyertalk pointed out this article from Bloomberg about the good position Southwest is in. Basically it says how Southwest can adjust its fleet growth plan fairly easily in response to the cutbacks made by other airlines. It also mentions the Southwest ad campaign on how the airline doesn’t have the fees the other airlines are adding. I think Gary Kelly describes the success of this campaign perfectly:
“Every company wants to differentiate itself from the pack,” said Kelly, 53. “This is a great opportunity. It’s been handed to us on a silver platter.”
So we will all have to watch and see what Southwest does. But either way, the plan to not retire 10 planes and add 14 more is certainly different than plans from a few months ago. Anyways, take a look at the article if you have the chance. It’s a good read.
But I’d also like to point out another quote from the article:
Michael Boyd, president of consulting firm Boyd Group in Evergreen, Colorado, expects “zero” opportunity for Southwest as other carriers cut back. Large airlines aren’t dropping any major markets, and “only marginal capacity is going away,” he said in an interview.
I strongly disagree, though I do realize that Michael Boyd is an experienced respected analyst and I’m just a fresh high school graduate. While I do understand his point, I think Southwest has more than “zero” oppurtunity, and I don’t think only “marginal capacity” is being cut. Just look at United. I wouldn’t consider the grounding of the entire 737 fleet “marginal” by any means. And look at Denver. While Frontier has been getting the most attention because its in bankruptcy, United is cutting back there because of Southwest’s presence.
The two posts below are for Monday and Tuesday, as I have college orientation those days. As a result, I won’t be able to write posts or moderate comments. Sorry!
See you Wednesday!
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