Siegel - "Fully prepared to exit Pittsburgh" [Archive]

pitflyer

Jun 10, 03, 8:37 pm

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/03162/191102.stm

Updated URL

Speaking on the eve of critical talks with state leaders, US Airways Chief Executive Officer David Siegel warned that the carrier is "fully prepared to exit Pittsburgh" if a way cannot be found to lower its costs here.

"We have contingency plans," Siegel said in answer to a question during a question-and-answer session following a speech today to the Merrill Lynch Global Transportation Conference in New York. He added, however, that he was "optimistic we'll find some way to resolve" the issue.

[This message has been edited by pitflyer (edited 06-11-2003).]

trvlr64

Jun 10, 03, 9:29 pm

You'd think this guy would learn to shut his mouth. Or at least not make comments before meeting with state leaders. Oh, but somehow I think that Roddey, Rendell and the ACAA have already assumed the bent over and grab your ankles position. Dave loves to make grand statements so he has this appearance of a "great" business man. HA!

Hey Dave, rewatch your interview on CNBC. Watch the CEO of JETBlue and his comments then look at yours.....excuses, excuses, excuses. Seems JETBlue values their employees and their customers. Do you??

HPTunco

Jun 10, 03, 9:29 pm

Merely saber rattling. I think that the state of PA should BUY controlling interest in USAirways. Those hicks from Alabamy bought control for $240M........Dave wants $300M in concessions from PIT and PHL over the next three years. It'd be a bargain!

deelmakur

Jun 10, 03, 9:40 pm

These guys ought to lower the rhetoric. More illuminating was Siegel on cable the other night with Neeleman of JetBlue. Once again, the geniuses at USAirways, obviously thrilled with the security that derives from meeting with themselves, have it all figured out. JetBlue only makes money because they have new planes, and repairs are done on warranty. Just wait until they have to pay for those oil changes. And, we're going to order a ****load of regional jets. Don't tell anybody, but Albania is starting an aircraft industry, and they are planning one that can go nonstop from Albany to Shanghai. And don't worry about long flights on tight planes, with passenger health issues. We're adding the Mayo Clinic to our frequent flyer benefits. And those jerks at JetBlue. While they're waiting at JFK to pick up passengers, we're going to send our RJ's all over, and grab those people before they ever get to them. What's that?? JetBlue just ordered a bunch of RJ's also? They're going to undercut us at the source? They can't do that. We didn't discuss it at our last meeting. That's not fair. Screw PIT. Next to the customers, it's the second biggest reason why we went broke.

ClueByFour

Jun 10, 03, 9:55 pm

Pittsburgh to Siegel "Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

Dave wants reduced operating costs, a hanger and training facilities for (mostly) Embraerer regional jets, and eventually a new hanger for Airbus 320 series aircraft.

If I were the governer and county executive in PIT, I'd postpone my meeting with Seigel for about a month while I made that same exact pitch to JetBlue who could probably use a nice place in the midwest to build a focus city and train their new regional jet pilots, fix their A320 series jets (and probably hire some of the existing group of people in PIT who have already been trained to fix the Airbii on US' dime), etc.

I give up. I'm elite on AA and can't really get excited about US leaving anymore. I wish the local politicos in PIT would learn to strike a better deal.

------------------
Saving the world, one clue at a time.

HPTunco

Jun 10, 03, 10:38 pm

Yes, let's get the best deal at PIT that can be made. If it's JetBlue, then fine. No matter the consequences, I've never felt comfortable with a party that I can't trust....which is certainly the case with US and "Bugsy" Siegel.

What a coup for PIT and PA if a low cost carrier can come in on US's coat tails! Jet Blue could put US out of business with expanded operations out of PIT.

WebTraveler

Jun 11, 03, 5:15 am

You guys are all bad mouthing this, but the fact is that PIT as a hub is a detriment. PIT is on the road to nowhere, and while great as a connecting destination (because it is not crowded), it simply cannot produce the local traffic and local revenue desired. However, if the cost structure was lower the net would be better, making it a potentially viable option.

The goal of the airline is to make money. US Air needs to make money to survive.

pitflyer

Jun 11, 03, 8:23 am

Let's not count chickens before they hatch but I for one am now looking forward to the day that USAirways leaves Pittsburgh. Good riddance to bad rubbish. Yes, more hours connecting, but even if a 'big' low-fare airline doesn't come in, it'll mean lower fares and at least some increased service from all the other majors since the 10% of flights that's not USAirways right now can't handle our current O&D, let alone if it goes up due to lower fares, etc.

But from the comments I've seen from Roddey, and from speaking to him on the phone once when UA wanted to buy US (seems like light years ago!) I think he'll bend over and take it in our collective arse for US.

Skip Middleton

Jun 11, 03, 9:03 am

Originally posted by WebTraveler:
You guys are all bad mouthing this, but the fact is that PIT as a hub is a detriment. PIT is on the road to nowhere, and while great as a connecting destination (because it is not crowded), it simply cannot produce the local traffic and local revenue desired. However, if the cost structure was lower the net would be better, making it a potentially viable option.

The goal of the airline is to make money. US Air needs to make money to survive.

Agreed...

tpowaleny

Jun 11, 03, 4:45 pm

Originally posted by Skip Middleton:
Agreed...

Ditto...

trvlr64

Jun 11, 03, 4:51 pm

Originally posted by WebTraveler:
You guys are all bad mouthing this, but the fact is that PIT as a hub is a detriment. PIT is on the road to nowhere, and while great as a connecting destination (because it is not
crowded), it simply cannot produce the local traffic and local revenue desired. However, if the cost structure was lower the net would be better, making it a potentially viable
option.

--->Unless you live in Pittsburgh you have no idea how they (USAirways brillant management) have raped this airport and it's flights. I can live with connecting all the time no matter which direction I have to fly, but they have removed too many flights from PIT. Recently another 146 flights were moved to PHL or CLT. This effects my ability to get to work and get home. The threat of exiting PIT is as old as the threat of liquidation. It seems Dave just loves to threaten until he gets his way. You need to know the history of how this man does business. He's a winner.

The goal of the airline is to make money. US Air needs to make money to survive.

--->rationalize the fares and they will make money. Seems America West, Southwest and JetBlue already know this. Why doesn't Dave?

pitflyer

Jun 11, 03, 5:37 pm

I do think my fellow PIT fliers shouldn't take it so personally.. USAirways is a business and they are making a business decision. I'm of the younger generation and I never believed in company loyalty to anyone, employees or otherwise, but I guess others grew up differently.. and are still shocked when the steel mills sold them down the river, or whatever...

In any case, article in the Trib about it:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/news/s_139173.html

Get outta dodge, USAirways.

usairways85

Jun 11, 03, 6:17 pm

I also think that this is not management's effort to backstab the PIT operation. I think it's just a matter of continue to operate and at this point they feel PIT is not a money-maker, regardless what they do it, adding 200 flts or taking them away.

They'll be low-fare carriers that come to PIT. While i dont think you'll see many JetBlue 320's, you might see some of their EMB's down the road. I think Airtran will really benefit in this situation. They will probably add more flts to MCO, plus PIT-FLL, PIT-LGA, PIT-TPA, and maybe try PIT-PHL again.

landspeed

Jun 11, 03, 6:43 pm

Not surprisingly, he's also belly-aching to the DC crowd:

"In the past week, David N. Siegel, US Airways president and chief executive, has gone public with the airline's lobbying efforts. At a forum in Washington on Saturday, Siegel struck a Rodney Dangerfield pose, insisting that Congress and local Washington officials gave him no respect."

"Siegel complained in a speech to Washington business leaders last week that local officials still did not support the airline, even after it emerged stronger from bankruptcy. "We got the braces off our teeth and the acne has cleared up. We've got a new hairstyle and wardrobe. We're starting to look good to people," he said, referring to the airline's exit from bankruptcy in March.

But, he added, "if we had died, rather than successfully restructured, would the community have come to the funeral?"

Siegel again suggested that other areas, such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Charlotte, where US Airways operates a larger number of flights, have encouraged the Arlington-based airline to relocate there. He said that officials in Alabama, home of the airline's largest investor, Retirement Systems of Alabama, also have shown interest."

Source:
US Airways To Congress: Where's the Love?
By Keith L. Alexander
Tuesday, June 3, 2003; Page E01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5820-2003Jun2.html

WebTraveler

Jun 11, 03, 7:23 pm

Originally posted by trvlr64:

--->Unless you live in Pittsburgh you have no idea how they (USAirways brillant management) have raped this airport and it's flights. I can live with connecting all the time no matter which direction I have to fly, but they have removed too many flights from PIT. Recently another 146 flights were moved to PHL or CLT. This effects my ability to get to work and get home. The threat of exiting PIT is as old as the threat of liquidation. It seems Dave just loves to threaten until he gets his way. You need to know the history of how this man does business. He's a winner.

The goal of the airline is to make money. US Air needs to make money to survive.

--->rationalize the fares and they will make money. Seems America West, Southwest and JetBlue already know this. Why doesn't Dave?



I disagree. You already say you don't mind connecting, so why not do it? There are many other airlines that fly into PIT and they all can pretty much get you where you need to go.

What you are complaining about with the reduction in flights is your convenience factor. People say "hub" airports pay more. That is true to some destinations, but a non-stop flight is always worth more than a connecting, or series of connecting.

For a city its size PIT has been spoiled for years with its air service! Fares higher, maybe, but there have always been alternatives.

Bottom line is that PIT is a loser of a hub. Plus US Airways does not need so many hubs (PIT, PHL, Charlotte) and a mini-hub (National) so close to each other. This has always been the ridiculous part of US Air. To be effective hubs need to be spread out. Bunching them is silly.

So, PHL can generate a ton of local traffic, plus spillover from the vast NY/NJ area. Logical.

Charlotte seems to be a hub for banking industry, and for a city its size, has an incredible amount of corporate HQs close.

National is right in the heart of our nation's capital. Fares are somewhat higher than the norm based upon the restriction on flights.

PIT is smack in the middle of steel country and a former big MFG powerhouse. These industries have died or are dying slowly.

So of all of these three in the area, which one would you cut?

Also to be considered is United's hub at Dulles. United is also considering some ideas to eliminate it as well.

You say the CEO is a "winner." Maybe you meant something else. I'd simply say he is making competent business decisions based upon real facts, real numbers, and the needs of the majority of its customers.

Unfortunately, PIT is the odd man out in this equation. It has been a great ride, but the end is nearing and it is real.

Now if I lived in PIT, I wouldn't like it either. Sometimes reality and the truth hurt.

pitsheel

Jun 11, 03, 7:26 pm

http://www.postgazette.com/breaking/20030611apusairwaysp1.asp

trvlr64

Jun 11, 03, 9:18 pm

I disagree. You already say you don't mind connecting, so why not do it? There are many other airlines that fly into PIT and they all can pretty much get you where you need to go.

--->I already do, I've made gold status on NW in only 3 months. I'm planning on trying out AA towards the end of the year to gain status there.

For a city its size PIT has been spoiled for years with its air service! Fares higher, maybe, but there have always been alternatives.

--->very true but competition has always been trampled by USAirways. Look at the loss of AirTran. Now they are targeting America West by lowering airfares to the west coast until Feb 2004. Some people call this move by USAirways as smart. YES and NO. They know us very FF will stay with them because of loyality and perks of being elite. But HP welcomed every US elite with equal status. So I've taken advantage of flying HP too.

Unfortunately, PIT is the odd man out in this equation. It has been a great ride, but the end is nearing and it is real.

--->that may be true, but Dave should have come to the ACAA and the state of PA during the BK and asked for help. Not during the last 21 minutes before emergence announce that they would not honor the lease agreements. That's sneaky. It's funny how CLT officials during the BK refused his request to terminate the leases and they wanted gates returned to the CLT airport authority if USAirways did terminate the leases. Dave hasn't hit them again for lease consessions since.

And the winner comment was "sarcasm". He's screwed his employees and he'll screw anyone else so he can get a better deal. That's business in the 21st century I guess.

Do I have the loyality for USAirways like I did 5 years ago? NO. I have lived all over the country and made sure that I continued to fly USAirways since they were my "hometown" airline. Today, if they disappeared, I wouldn't shed a tear. They are my mode transportation and nothing more. If they are going to leave PIT, do it now so the city and residents and employees can move on too.

[This message has been edited by trvlr64 (edited 06-11-2003).]

IndustrialPatent

Jun 11, 03, 10:04 pm

There's a greater chance for US to order A380 than B6 to hub at PIT should US vacate...

HomeToPit

Jun 11, 03, 10:18 pm

Like any other business, USAir is in it to make money. I agree with that.

I've been very loyal to USAir over the past 15 years, up until last fall. I've been flying a lot of United flights this year, connecting thru ORD and I'm getting used to it.

I've flown on USAir's really low fares out to the west coast like a good cockroach and have been crediting the miles to United. I'm about halfway to making 1K so far this year.

I think that I'm just fed up with entities like USAir looking for concessions from the government. Unlike Pitflyer, I witnessed the change in Pittsburgh from a manufacturing powerhouse to a more research/academic based economy.

My father worked in the steel industry and during it's decline(and when management was looking for lots of government subsidies) he made a remark that I'll always remember...

"Son, when the government gives a company money to save jobs, to stay in the same location, etc. it's just like prostitution, at least one person gets scr**ed."

It's taken me a long time to figure that one out. Gosh, do I miss him and his wisdom. But, the steel industry collapsed anyway.

I was out making customer calls in the Pittsburgh area today and was reflecting on the whole USAir thing. I drove down my street, past the newly renovated high school with a new stadium, then down a new 500 million dollar highway, to Pittsburgh's Northside (two new stadiums), past the antiquated Mellon Arena (Penguins want a new one), and listened to one of my customers complain about business for an hour. He's a small business that makes money by EARNING it, not by making threats. He understands that he has to offer his customers a good product at a fair price or his competitors will replace him in a heartbeat.

Maybe I'm getting sarcastic about the whole thing, but I'll echo Pitflyer's comments... BUH BYE USAir.

PurdueFlyer

Jun 11, 03, 10:52 pm

Having grown up in Pittsburgh and grown up on US Air as well, It would be sad to see them go. Lots of fond memories of family vacations and trips home from college for Thanksgiving.

Alas, its a business decision. They need to make money. From the consumer standpoint, US Airways provides a product, just like every other airline. If you like their product, you buy from that company. I'll continue to fly US Airways regardless of what becomes of PIT because I believe they have a vastly superior product. Great planes. Great caribbean & European destinations. Great customer service in the air and on the ground. Point being, even if they dont fly nonstop from PIT to (pick a city) next year...I'm still going to approach my decision to travel the same way I do with US now: look at who has the best product to offer. Fly them.

As for the city, we'll get on with life. Forget about discount carriers for a moment. Do you realize how paltry the service is to this city with the airlines that already fly here? Geez, maybe Northwest will finally give us an airbus or two to MSP instead of those god-awful DC9's. How'd you like to see United finally start PIT-DEN nonstop? Or America West adding Las Vegas service? Or how'd you like to see AA's gates right up front on B concourse by the AirMall? All speculation of course, but NONE of those scenarios are likely if US stays put. One thing's for sure...the winds of change are blowing our way in the 'burgh.

Au Revoir, US Airways

jkzahn

Jun 12, 03, 6:53 am

Here's a bit more on the offer PA made to US yesterday:

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/s_139424.html

My two cents: I love Pittsburgh, but I have to say that having a full service hub really does seem ridiculous for US given our size and the presence of the main hub a mere 300 miles accross the state. At best, it would make sense to me to have the regional airline based here, if for nothing else than just as an alternate location for those times when PHL is closing down for some east coast storm that we manage to escape.

Bottom line is that the government should not incur more debt for PA and PIT taxpayers to keep something that is not critical to our region (it is too bad about the local employees, but it isn't the role of the government to subsidize jobs). US is not an idiot and they will stay if we throw a billion dollars at them. Other airlines will come. Everything will work out fine.....

pitflyer

Jun 12, 03, 7:35 am

I think most of us 'Burghers would love if a low fare airline set up show lock stock and barrel in Pittsburgh, but it's unlikely with or without USAirways. But its very likely if USAirways severelys cuts their prescence we'll get some better connections on other airlines, and I'm ok with that. I know AA started service to MIA on weekends, maybe that would go daily. Who knows.

If one thing all of us Pittsburghers should know is that trying to stick with the status quo (like the steel industry) can kill a town. We all need to move on. We can't support USAirways and they can't support us, so it's time to part ways.

Unfortunately based on latest press releases it looks like we'll be putting another million dollar bandage on the bleeding wound, only to have to revisit this scenario in a few years again, I'm sure.

ClueByFour

Jun 12, 03, 12:55 pm

Part of PIT's problem is perception.

The MSA population, tho declining, is still double what CLT is, for instance. And the O&D levels are still higher than CLT. CLT did not get nailed with 21 seconds to go in BK. Why?

They already prosituted themselves to US. Note the per pax cost to board a plane in CLT. It's not "cool southern efficiency." A taxpayer somewhere is footing that bill, and US effectively wants PIT to do the same.

PIT has to stop smoking the proverbial crack, and end the practice of "relying" on a particular employer or industry. I would rather have a non-hub airport with decent fares and more frequent service to everybody else's hubs than a situation with the "half hub" and crappy service from OAs who still won't come into an existing "hub" for US.

As (up until the end of this tax year) a Pennsylvania taxpayer, I have no desire to give any more money to a losing business, particularly one whose CEO seems to think that his personal feces are not ororific because he worked for Gordo the Liar at one point and managed to beat up on organized labor under Chapter 11 (I can send a monkey to a third rate business school and train it to beat up on labor in Chapter 11--it's not that impressive). What will happen to US once UA and AA lower their CASMS to the level that US is projecting? Or when Jetblue (who has a lower CASM to begin with) invades US core markets with lower fares and RJs? It's a losing proposition. I am somewhat happy that Rendell has decided to tie the fates of PIT and PHL together, such that US won't get any breaks at PHL if they decide to leave PIT.

I've decided that the US frontline employees are the best there are, and that the current US management is different that past losers, but only in the sense that they are smoking a different brand of mind altering substance. I still fly the $200 R/Ts to the west coast and the $600 upgradeable fares to Europe, but my high yield "business" traffic that B-Ben and Gordo Junior love has all gone elsewhere. I'll continue to "bang" US out of a cushy seat for less than it costs them to move my big butt from point A to point B, and give the $600 PIT-ORD walkup fare to somebody else.

------------------
Saving the world, one clue at a time.

geo1005

Jun 12, 03, 1:33 pm

The pro- and con- arguments surrounding US and PIT are really a moot point.

The reality is that PHL is the clear winner as US's most important hub and international gateway. CLT is the second most important hub if for no other reason than its geographical location. First, connecting in CLT is a viable and acceptable option for the entire Southeast USA. Second, for the most part, the Southeast does not get the crippling Northeast winter storms. PIT comes in third even though its stand alone O&D is stronger than CLT's. And even though PIT almost NEVER EVER shuts down because of winter snow and weather, the rest of the NE and upper Midwest are not so lucky so all the passenger feed (and planes) get stuck.

trvlr64

Jun 12, 03, 10:03 pm

Originally posted by PurdueFlyer:
Having grown up in Pittsburgh and grown up on US Air as well, It would be sad to see them go. Lots of fond memories of family vacations and trips home from college for Thanksgiving.

Alas, its a business decision. They need to make money. From the consumer standpoint, US Airways provides a product, just like every other airline. If you like their product, you buy from that company. I'll continue to fly US Airways regardless of what becomes of PIT because I believe they have a vastly superior product. Great planes. Great caribbean & European destinations. Great customer service in the air and on the ground. Point being, even if they dont fly nonstop from PIT to (pick a city) next year...I'm still going to approach my decision to travel the same way I do with US now: look at who has the best product to offer. Fly them.

As for the city, we'll get on with life. Forget about discount carriers for a moment. Do you realize how paltry the service is to this city with the airlines that already fly here? Geez, maybe Northwest will finally give us an airbus or two to MSP instead of those god-awful DC9's. How'd you like to see United finally start PIT-DEN nonstop? Or America West adding Las Vegas service? Or how'd you like to see AA's gates right up front on B concourse by the AirMall? All speculation of course, but NONE of those scenarios are likely if US stays put. One thing's for sure...the winds of change are blowing our way in the 'burgh.

Au Revoir, US Airways

PurdueFlyer you've restated what I've been complaining about for years. The other airlines do not service the PIT airport enough. Why? USAIRWAYS!! They have run the competition out of town numerous times. What is the response from the ACAA about this? They accuse us customers that we don't support these other airlines enough!!?! I loved that line in my email from them a few months ago. I think we need a new crew at the ACAA also. But if the other airlines would start more service out of PIT, I'm not saying make it a HUB, but more frequency, you'd see those other airlines making a big dent in USAirways profits.

WebTraveler

Jun 14, 03, 12:03 am

Originally posted by trvlr64:
But if the other airlines would start more service out of PIT, I'm not saying make it a HUB, but more frequency, you'd see those other airlines making a big dent in USAirways profits.



What profits are you referring to? Isn't that what started this all? USAirways isn't making any money. CHANGE needs to happen. Perhaps PIT is one of the main reasons they are being pulled down?

Maybe PIT doesn't produce enough local traffic and this is why the other airlines leave? It is just too odd that all these other airlines come and go with frequency and fares (as you say) Maybe the frequency is not there because there is not a need for it? Just a possibility.

If PIT loses USAir it will greatly affect PIT's convenience factor, no doubt. Any airline that has hubs all bunched together is not making the best use of its resources, period. How can you have a hub in PIT and in PHL? Then one in Charlotte and then a mini-hub at National?

PineyBob

Jun 14, 03, 2:09 am

I think US will stay in PIT and the ultimate payout from the state will be in excess of 300 million.

Call it a gut reaction but I think all of the hard work will start to payoff about 6 to 9 months from now. A lot of stuff is due to fall in place then. Siegel is like his mentor in that he is single minded and not to particular who he runs over in his quest. If you work for a guy like that at a high level that's a good thing, otherwise it tends to suck being you. Right now PIT is in his gun sight. National is next.

My prediction is old Davey boy is gonna give a whole new look to the Rodney Dangerfield of the Sky and some (hopefully competitors) aren't gonna like it.

trvlr64

Jun 14, 03, 6:05 am

Originally posted by WebTraveler:

What profits are you referring to? Isn't that what started this all? USAirways isn't making any money. CHANGE needs to happen. Perhaps PIT is one of the main reasons they are being pulled down?

Maybe PIT doesn't produce enough local traffic and this is why the other airlines leave? It is just too odd that all these other airlines come and go with frequency and fares (as you say) Maybe the frequency is not there because there is not a need for it? Just a possibility.

If PIT loses USAir it will greatly affect PIT's convenience factor, no doubt. Any airline that has hubs all bunched together is not making the best use of its resources, period. How can you have a hub in PIT and in PHL? Then one in Charlotte and then a mini-hub at National?

Well Web since you don't live in Pittsburgh you don't understand the local history we have with USAirways. This community is a very loyal bunch. Since USAirways is the "hometown" airline you'd see us giving our $$ to them 9 times out of 10. It's a weird thing here being a blue collar town. We hate change. That's why this city is dying. But I digress........

And if you know the history of USAirways you'd know why they have hubs so close together. Not a smart move but hey, what is with airlines?

PIT was the crown jewel in the USAirways system when it was built in 1992. All the grand plans that were touted never came about. This entire airport was built to help USAirways mostly. Yes the city did need a new airport, but being the main occupant USAirways had say over everything. At that tme, the city of Pgh was also the most livable city in the country according to those polls they do yearly. This helped to boost USAirways and the city's value for this area. Businesses were moving in and this area grew. But during this entire time USAirways made it known that PIT was theirs. Whenever another airline started up at PIT or one of the other current occupants started to increase service, USAirways squashed them. The ACAA likes to lay blame on the area residents that we didn't support the other airlines. That was expressed to me in a recent email from them. I say the ACAA just like the city laid their eggs in 1 basket named USAirways. And now we are paying for that mistake. So the blame lies on our airport authority and county commissioners. Us customers use whoever gives us a better deal and unfortunastely USAirways knows that they give us that most of the time.

I've been flying the other airlines that service PIT since BBB tried to screw us. As a whole, USAirways lacks in a lot of areas. The only thing they have going for them is their front line employees. These men and women bust their collective azzes for this airline. Too bad their boss doesn't see this. He's to busy threatening everyone with liquidation or eliminating service. So if he is going to leave PIT, do it. Quit the saber rattling and get out. I'm afraid that the recent reports that the state of PA is giving Dave a few hundred million dollars is not going to be enough to satisfy his needs. If CHANGE needs to happen then do it now. Quit threatening.

ClueByFour

Jun 14, 03, 10:37 am

Seigel can muscle someplace like PIT because PIT has placed too many eggs in the US Airways basket, and will lose jobs if US leaves.

If Boy Wonder tries to muscle Washington, he's going to have his azz handed to him on a silver platter, while the other airlines are collectively laughing themselves silly. What's he gonna do: leave DCA? Somehow I doubt it.

Seigel has only made any ground under the guise or with the support of the Chapter 11 hammer. I can send a monkey to a correspondance school for MBAs who can cut costs like that with the BK code on the monkey's side. It's simply not impressive from an execution standpoint. In other words--he has not done anything yet that is of any note.

I fear, watching this crap unfold WRT PIT and now with his latest "woe is me" crap to the DCA business community that Seigel is like a schoolyard bully--he's a "big man" when he's got a baseball bat to your head, but worthless as mammaries on a bovine when the playing field is level. His recent suggestion that BBB is a "great executive" is proof positive of this.....

------------------
Saving the world, one clue at a time.

pitsheel

Jun 15, 03, 6:05 am

WebTraveler... just out of curiousity- do you fly US Airways? Since they don't fly to Portland, it seems a little odd that you would be in on this discussion... as for your comment on not having enough local flyers, Charlotte has less than we do... OK so the airports are close together... but if someone needs to go from, say LGA to SFO, do you fly them LGA-PHL first? I think that almost everyone on this board prefers connecting through Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, it seems maybe you've never experienced it.

[This message has been edited by pitsheel (edited 06-15-2003).]

WebTraveler

Jun 15, 03, 4:48 pm

Originally posted by pitsheel:
WebTraveler... just out of curiousity- do you fly US Airways? Since they don't fly to Portland, it seems a little odd that you would be in on this discussion... as for your comment on not having enough local flyers, Charlotte has less than we do... OK so the airports are close together... but if someone needs to go from, say LGA to SFO, do you fly them LGA-PHL first? I think that almost everyone on this board prefers connecting through Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, it seems maybe you've never experienced it.

[This message has been edited by pitsheel (edited 06-15-2003).]

Yes, I do fly them when it works out. I actually really do enjoy this airline and was disappointed when the planned Portland flights didn't happen as scheduled. USAir does fly out of Seattle, which I fly out of quite regularly. Additionally, I make several east coast trips a year and use USAirways as a carrier within points in the east.

I was also disappointed that none of the United Express flights from Portland to Seattle ended up with US codeshares. I am still trying to understand why these are not shared. USAir controls the carribbean, which I've been to several times, all courtesy of SEA-PHL (or sometimes PIT)-Carribbean

I agree with you on connecting through PIT. I said that it was much more convenient - look back several posts. What I did say was that the local traffic was not there. Perhaps at one time it was. I also understand the history of USAir and why things are where they are. But the history is just that - the history! In order to be competitive in the current economic climate US Airways really needs to elimiate one of these duplicate east coast hubs.