Programs: Delta Gold Medallion,AA,USairways,Midwest Airlines, National Emerald Club
Posts: 1,439
Quote:
Originally Posted by WIRunner
I just re-read the article. As well at the one that was on USA Today. SkyWest will be operating under its own brand. I can't see how this could be good for SkyWest... unless they're jealous of Republic.
Skywest just posted great 3Q earnings,they must know what they are doing.
Let's not sugar coat this. AirTran is breaking faith on the marketing messages that they have sent ever since they stopped the JetConnect service a few years ago. On AirTran, you had instead first class, XM radio and now wi-fi on every flight to everywhere.
And now you don't again. You have asterisks instead.
For all the talk about the SkyWest brand, when you go to their website and press the button for this service, it just takes you to the AirTran website. I would say a large minority of my "normal" commuter flights on legacy carriers are now on planes with interiors and people wearing uniforms that are branded only by the commuter carrier. I don't see how this is special or different from the standpoint of the customer, except that if there is liability, AirTran might try to somehow bail on me (or my heirs) a bit quicker that Delta or United might be able to.
I've always thought a feeder operation at any/all of FL's hubs/focus cities was a smart idea, with the right a/c of course. It would allow them access to smaller markets - better saturation in a given region, and bring sane airfares to these markets strangled by scant competition and high fares.
I've always thought a feeder operation at any/all of FL's hubs/focus cities was a smart idea, with the right a/c of course. It would allow them access to smaller markets - better saturation in a given region, and bring sane airfares to these markets strangled by scant competition and high fares.
I agree. It's definitely an experiment and may not work out at all. But you have to give them credit for trying to make it work.
Here's some perspective:
Look back at what happened when FL was trying to acquire YX back in 2007. Many people on this board commented that FL should simply leave YX alone and just grow organically in MKE. Well, that's exactly what they did. They went back to the drawing board and identified some route opportunities out of MKE. They acted by adding that service.
More recently, some armchair CEO's said FL's small hub at MKE won't work because there is not enough feed and they need to get more flyers into the network from the midwest/upper midwest. Well, that's exactly what they're doing via the SkyWest agreement. This isn't a bad thing to try if you are trying to build a small hub. Yes, it's CRJ service, but it's still an option that might work. After all, YX used crappy CRJ's fairly effectively over the past couple of years.
Of course, AirTran isn't making these moves because they saw a few people on message board making the case. But it appears that they are still serious about building this hub. They are not ready to back down and are instead ready to fight to earn this business.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, whether you agree with FL or not, you've gotta give them credit for trying to make MKE work. It will be fascinating to see how how all of this, and all of MKE, turns out in the next year or two.
Speaking of which, when 2009 began, many of us thought that there would have been a shake-out at MKE by the end of 2009. Well, it hasn't happened yet. Now, some are saying that 2010 will indeed be the "year of decision" at MKE. We'll see...
At the very least, speaking as an MKE-based flyer, this is a fascinating ride to be on right now. I hope it lasts.
I agree. It's definitely an experiment and may not work out at all. But you have to give them credit for trying to make it work.
Here's some perspective:
Look back at what happened when FL was trying to acquire YX back in 2007. Many people on this board commented that FL should simply leave YX alone and just grow organically in MKE. Well, that's exactly what they did. They went back to the drawing board and identified some route opportunities out of MKE. They acted by adding that service.
More recently, some armchair CEO's said FL's small hub at MKE won't work because there is not enough feed and they need to get more flyers into the network from the midwest/upper midwest. Well, that's exactly what they're doing via the SkyWest agreement. This isn't a bad thing to try if you are trying to build a small hub. Yes, it's CRJ service, but it's still an option that might work. After all, YX used crappy CRJ's fairly effectively over the past couple of years.
Of course, AirTran isn't making these moves because they saw a few people on message board making the case. But it appears that they are still serious about building this hub. They are not ready to back down and are instead ready to fight to earn this business.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, whether you agree with FL or not, you've gotta give them credit for trying to make MKE work. It will be fascinating to see how how all of this, and all of MKE, turns out in the next year or two.
Speaking of which, when 2009 began, many of us thought that there would have been a shake-out at MKE by the end of 2009. Well, it hasn't happened yet. Now, some are saying that 2010 will indeed be the "year of decision" at MKE. We'll see...
At the very least, speaking as an MKE-based flyer, this is a fascinating ride to be on right now. I hope it lasts.
Great post! I'd like to add something to the discussion... When AirTran was trying to merge with Midwest, I believe they were going to keep flying the small markets with regional jets. So you can say that AirTran is growing organically the way they envisioned a merger with Midwest. It's just happening in stages, not all at once if the merger with Midwest would have happened.
Programs: United 1k, Midwest Miles, VX eleVAte, Hilton Diamond VIP
Posts: 1,225
Quote:
Originally Posted by newsmanhoss
At the very least, speaking as an MKE-based flyer, this is a fascinating ride to be on right now. I hope it lasts.
I'll second that!
Great post, newsmanhoss While I strongly believe this whole experiment with the regional jets will flop, AirTran does deserve credit for thinking outside the box on this one.
Hopefully this MKE roller coaster ride will continue for awhile because I'm certainly enjoying it.
__________________ If you don't know where you are going, you might end up someplace else.
While I strongly believe this whole experiment with the regional jets will flop, AirTran does deserve credit for thinking outside the box on this one. 
