US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - US Airways Previews Pittsburgh Fall Schedule

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040720/dctu018_1.html

Press Release Source: US Airways

US Airways Previews Pittsburgh Fall Schedule
Tuesday July 20, 12:45 pm ET
Airline Looks to Operate Approximately 240 Nonstop Flights to More Than 65 Cities

ARLINGTON, Va., July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- US Airways representatives met with Pittsburgh-area officials today to reassure them that the airline will continue to offer nonstop service in its fall schedule to the most popular destinations for travel from Western Pennsylvania.

With the Nov. 4, 2004, schedule, US Airways and US Airways Express tentatively plan to continue to operate about 240 daily nonstop departures at Pittsburgh to about 65 markets.

"Customers who originate their travel in Pittsburgh will be able to continue to fly US Airways conveniently to the most popular destinations for local travelers," said Christopher L. Chiames, US Airways senior vice president of Corporate Affairs. "We plan to operate nonstop service in 28 of the top 30 markets served today from Pittsburgh, and will remain the airport's largest carrier."

Chiames said that a detailed schedule will not be available until mid- to late August, when it is filed and the flights are available for sale through the airline and travel agents. Until that time, it is doubtful that the full details will be released. The proposed schedule is contingent on several factors, including the continued delivery of new regional jets, as planned. Furthermore, the decision to maintain turbo-prop service from Pittsburgh to some small cities is dependent on contracted airlines continuing to provide that service. Those affiliate carriers fly as US Airways Express, but they are independent carriers, and may choose to change their service patterns at Pittsburgh.

As US Airways transitions to its new fall schedule, there will be a slight reduction of service for the months August-October, primarily because affiliate carriers are reducing or eliminating service. For example, Shuttle America announced that it would discontinue Pittsburgh-Toledo service effective Aug. 1, 2004, and Air Midwest announced that it will discontinue Pittsburgh-Reading service on Sept. 5, 2004.

Under the proposed schedule in development, US Airways could operate about 70 mainline departures, 80 regional-jet departures, 25 wholly owned turbo-prop departures and 65 affiliate turbo-prop departures. Today, US Airways operates 107 mainline flights, 122 regional jet flights, 53 wholly owned turbo-prop flights and 91 affiliate turbo-prop flights at Pittsburgh, serving 102 destinations with nonstop flights.

"For the October through January period, Pittsburgh will still operate more or less like a traditional airline hub, but with less flying and fewer destinations," said Chiames. "We will continue to transition Pittsburgh in 2005, but we see our service being maintained to the top business and leisure market destinations so that travelers wanting to get to and from Pittsburgh will have convenient options."


Source: US Airways

I assume they are going to keep the Bayer express (PIT - FRA) but don't expect PIT - LGW to return next summer.

I just hope they keep the non-stops out to the west. It would be a MAJOR blow for Pittsburgh to lose non-stop service to SAN, LAX, SFO, SEA etc. Then again, other carriers may pick the routes up, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

What do you folks think about this as an opportunity for some more LCCs? I think the chances for JetBlue and Southwest are practically nothing, but maybe Frontier or another more "lenient" LCC will join the crowd. The current LCCs at PIT (Airtran, America West, and ATA) have pretty good load factors but VERY limited destinations.

I assume they are going to keep the Bayer express (PIT - FRA) but don't expect PIT - LGW to return next summer.

I just hope they keep the non-stops out to the west. It would be a MAJOR blow for Pittsburgh to lose non-stop service to SAN, LAX, SFO, SEA etc. Then again, other carriers may pick the routes up, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

What do you folks think about this as an opportunity for some more LCCs? I think the chances for JetBlue and Southwest are practically nothing, but maybe Frontier or another more "lenient" LCC will join the crowd. The current LCCs at PIT (Airtran, America West, and ATA) have pretty good load factors but VERY limited destinations.

The PIT-FRA (US781) is no longer a 333. :td: :td: :(

It is a 767 :mad: and leaves 10 minutes earlier.

I assume they are going to keep the Bayer express (PIT - FRA) but don't expect PIT - LGW to return next summer.

I just hope they keep the non-stops out to the west. It would be a MAJOR blow for Pittsburgh to lose non-stop service to SAN, LAX, SFO, SEA etc. Then again, other carriers may pick the routes up, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

What do you folks think about this as an opportunity for some more LCCs? I think the chances for JetBlue and Southwest are practically nothing, but maybe Frontier or another more "lenient" LCC will join the crowd. The current LCCs at PIT (Airtran, America West, and ATA) have pretty good load factors but VERY limited destinations.


I am fairly certain that HP will not be moving in. They are still recovering from CMH and as of now are uninterested in an east coast hub.

The PIT-FRA (US781) is no longer a 333. :td: :td: :(

It is a 767 :mad: and leaves 10 minutes earlier.

it goes back to a 330 during the summer...don't fret. also, i wouldn't declare pit-lgw a no go just yet..according to the station mgr in LGW, some deals are in the works...the big issue is that LGW C--A--N--N--O--T get along with 2 flts during the summer, and since they stopped the 2nd PHL-LGW, there are some issues w/ getting it back.

I am fairly certain that HP will not be moving in. They are still recovering from CMH and as of now are uninterested in an east coast hub.

HP is already there. Has been for some time. ;)

Unless you mean as a hub, then yes, I completely agree. I doubt they'll ever try for an east coast hub again.

The PIT-FRA (US781) is no longer a 333. :td: :td: :(

It is a 767 :mad: and leaves 10 minutes earlier.

as much as I love the 330, I will take PIT-FRA on a 767 9 times out of 10 given the option of going through PHL.

I'm hoping this means that US intends to be around until at least the New Year (and the usual suspects are not disagreeing). Good. That means my *A tix on LH for December stand a good chance of being honored. :)

Ugh. Really sad to see the 330 go, but I guess glad to atleast see the route in place. Will sure miss the option of watching my own shows instead of squinting at the crappy no-choice film though..................

I am fairly certain that HP will not be moving in. They are still recovering from CMH and as of now are uninterested in an east coast hub.

I was chatting awhile back with the Continental staff in PIT (CO does the customer service and ground handling for America West there) and they indicated that HP would decide in October if they would even keep the PIT service or drop it altogether. They used to have 3 flights daily PIT-PHX...but now are down to just one daily flight. According to CO, they could make money on one flight, but not on two or three. US Airways just simply undercut them everywhere (sound familiar?). IMO, it doesnt make sense to have a domestic destination with only one daily flight...but HP can do it since they dont have the burden of a fully-staffed station there.

This was before the pull-down of PIT was announced...I theorize that without the feed from the east coast, US will be carrying mostly O & D traffic on that route, and wont be able to undercut HP as much as they have been. I think (and hope) that HP will bring some of that service back up. ^

Without the feeder flights I have to believe that all PIT flights to Europe are in doubt. The PIT market doesn't have the O/D to justify these flights (even with Bayer).

I think back to several jobs that I have been contracted for in the past five years. Living in a hub city with convenient/frequent access to non stops was a big consideration. For future similar situations, I doubt that I will be hired if air travel efficiency is considered.

Like many PITers, I have to decide if I should stay with US. The non stops to LAX, SFO, SAN and SEA are huge for me. Upgrading is the only real perk left since any eastern flight left will be RJ. I won't connect through CLT or PHL for a transcon flight. If I have to go through ORD, why shouldn't I switch my allegiance to UA?

I've got several international flights (on UA) coming up which I would normally use my US DM# for. I still have enough time in 2004 to become GOLD on UA, having already achieved about 70K with US this year.........do I finish up CP, or begin with UA?

Without the feeder flights I have to believe that all PIT flights to Europe are in doubt. The PIT market doesn't have the O/D to justify these flights (even with Bayer).

Bayer is not the only PIT area business with German ties that has a contract for both the cushy seats in front and lots of cargo pallets in the belly.

US is going to suffer on the revenue side from the 333-->762 downgrade on the cargo side more than anything else on this route (well, that and the Bayer shuttle types are going to quickly tire of the 762).

I could see LH running this even if US discontinued it. It's butter for them before a single soul ever sets foot in the back of the plane. Of course, far be it from CCY to make a smart decision when they can really show the ACAA and the PIT based locals who is boss :rolleyes:

Post-Gazette article on issue: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04203/349437.stm

The results showed that 72 percent of the business traffic is being directed to 20 cities -- the cities local economic development officials most want to keep. They include such obvious choices as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington, D.C., and not-so-obvious choices such as Memphis, the home base for Moon-based FedEx Ground's parent company.

Anyone have this list of 20 cities that the Allegheny Conference on Community Development came up with? I'm a business traveller and curious to see if my travel patterns match the rest of the business community here.

Interesting if Memphis is on the list just as USAirways hands over the route to Northwest...

Furthermore, the decision to maintain turbo-prop service from Pittsburgh to some small cities is dependent on contracted airlines continuing to provide that service. Those affiliate carriers fly as US Airways Express, but they are independent carriers, and may choose to change their service patterns at Pittsburgh.

As US Airways transitions to its new fall schedule, there will be a slight reduction of service for the months August-October, primarily because affiliate carriers are reducing or eliminating service. For example, Shuttle America announced that it would discontinue Pittsburgh-Toledo service effective Aug. 1, 2004, and Air Midwest announced that it will discontinue Pittsburgh-Reading service on Sept. 5, 2004.

Is this accurate or an attempt for US Airways to spin its way out of blame for the elimination of air service to small-town Pennsylvania? To what extent are the Express carriers really "independent" affiliates?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's no way Air Midwest, for instance, would drop PIT-RDG without US's OK. I always thought US was responsible for the routing and the planning for its Express carriers, whether wholly owned or independent.

Seems to me that US is trying to pass the buck for the service reduction to the affiliate carriers by using the same strategy it used when a Beechcraft 1900 went down in Charlotte last year and the company repeatedly referred to Air Midwest flight 5481, rather than its US Airways Express designation.

Is this accurate or an attempt for US Airways to spin its way out of blame for the elimination of air service to small-town Pennsylvania? To what extent are the Express carriers really "independent" affiliates?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's no way Air Midwest, for instance, would drop PIT-RDG without US's OK. I always thought US was responsible for the routing and the planning for its Express carriers, whether wholly owned or independent.

Not so in all cases. If US pays the affiliate a "fee per departure", then US controls what the airline does scheduling-wise (e.g., Mesa). If US merely shares in the revenue for a given flight, then that other airline is free to drop a flight if the revenue does not support the flight (e.g., Air Midwest and why they are focusing almost exclusively on EAS routes). Sure, US could keep RDG-PIT if it really wanted to, but then the affiliate would demand more than just a revenue sharing arrangement.

Fact of the matter is many smaller stations, especially those within a "reasonable" distance from a major city, will continue to lose service as US and other legacies adapt to the changing marketplace. I warned about this several years ago, as it's one of the negative side effects of the LCC explosion. Airlines can only make money in smaller stations by charging a large amount. However, passengers won't pay that and are thus driving to a bigger airport. Yet, US can't lower the fares in the smaller stations and make money. So, the service is dropped.

Sorry for the cross-post, but PIT-DEN is now covered:


http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040721/cgw070_1.html

Press Release Source: United Airlines

United to Offer Nonstop Denver-Pittsburgh Service
Wednesday July 21, 4:21 pm ET

CHICAGO, July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Airlines (OTC Bulletin Board: UALAQ - News) today announced it will offer two new daily nonstop roundtrip flights between Denver (DEN) and Pittsburgh (PIT), beginning Oct. 4, 2004. Flights open for sale on Thursday, July 22, 2004.

"United serves more domestic cities from Denver than any other carrier, and launching Pittsburgh service reinforces our commitment to the Denver area," said John Tague, executive vice president of marketing, sales and revenue. "In addition, the new flights complement nonstop service currently offered from Pittsburgh to Chicago O'Hare and Washington Dulles."

United offers mainline service from Pittsburgh to Chicago O'Hare, and United Express carriers Shuttle America and Air Wisconsin operate flights from Pittsburgh to Washington Dulles.

United plans to operate its new Denver-Pittsburgh route using Boeing 737s, with 120 seats including eight First Class and 46 Economy Plus seats. United's schedule for the service will offer convenient times for the business traveler and provide connection opportunities to United's global route network. The flights from Denver depart at 10:10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., and flights from Pittsburgh depart at 9:00 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.

United, United Express and Ted operate more than 3,500 flights a day on a route network that spans the globe. News releases and other information about United may be found at the company's Web site at http://www.united.com .

Worldwide Communications:
Media Relations Office: 847.700.5538
Evenings/Weekends: 847.700.4088


Source: United Airlines

Is this accurate or an attempt for US Airways to spin its way out of blame for the elimination of air service to small-town Pennsylvania? To what extent are the Express carriers really "independent" affiliates?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's no way Air Midwest, for instance, would drop PIT-RDG without US's OK. I always thought US was responsible for the routing and the planning for its Express carriers, whether wholly owned or independent.

USFlyerUS is correct, and it's even simpler. Obviously, US controls all the flying done by the wholly-owneds (Allegheny, Piedmont, PSA). The affiliate RJs (Chautauqua, Mesa, Trans States ERJ) are all fee for departure--US controls all aspects of those flights--schedules, fares, destinations, etc. The affiliate turboprops (Air Midwest, Colgan, Shuttle America, Trans States J41) are revenue sharing--US does not control where these go. Since the affiliate props are usually the ones serving the tiny markets, they're usually the ones to pull out of cities.

Had the 'luck' to come through PIT today...everyone from the state-troopers at security to the airport chaplain (interestingly overheard discussing how many people with the airport authority he would be glad to see let go) at Au Bon Pain Mid-field were talking about the cuts and what affect on the airport would be. And not withstanding the completely clueless speculation (for the most part) that I overheard, one thing was clear to all - PIT is going to change.

PIT will never be a O/D cash cow/gouge point for US ever again.

Smart Money IMHO - PIT 2006 = MCI 2004

as much as I love the 330, I will take PIT-FRA on a 767 9 times out of 10 given the option of going through PHL.

even in coach??!

PIT will never be a O/D cash cow/gouge point for US ever again.

Was it ever?!

even in coach??!

who sits in coach? ;-)

fair point though. bottom line is I refuse to fly through PHL anymore so its not even an option. reason X that I wont be at roachFEST.

Was it ever?!

That was when the mayor said he was driving to CLE to protest the high O/D fares out of PIT.

Was it ever?!

It had been, according to some folks in the US accounting organization, the highest yielding hub, prior to the post 9/11 pulldown (that's on the O&D traffic, of course).

I O&Ded out of PIT the last two days... on my departure on Fri morning, I couldn't believe how quiet it was compared to the good old days. I was on the 7:45 flight to PHL, and most of the stores/restaurants weren't open by the time we started to board. If it's this bad now, how about after all the cuts in the fall?

On a side note, I did get to see a couple E70's parked at PIT this afternoon. They reminded me of the F28 with engines mounted like a boeing or airbus instead.

Or you can have this guy's experience: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04207/350328.stm

That line was now growing so quickly that just getting to the end of it was something of a challenge. At 8:35, I walked past a posted sign advising it was a 35-minute wait from that point to the security checkpoint. My feeling was something like being at Disney World on a peak holiday weekend.

I'm betting his trip was on Monday morning. I've flown on Monday morning a couple of times. Mad house.

will be interesting to see if SW enters PIT. It would sure be a boon to consumers! A roundtrip tomorrow on U from PHL-PIT costs a whopping a $688!!!! Guess U hasn't figured out how to bring GOFARES to that market yet! LOL :) If SW entered the market those fares would drop to $49 each way!!!!!

If LUV did enter PIT, the TSA would still have to fix the monday morning problems, as the O&D traffic would probably rise (and that's what causes many of these problems).

When I return to PIT now and then, I've made it a point to not depart on Friday night to catch an international connection in PHL, or on Monday morning, just for the reason that there is no guarantee I'll make the originator in PIT.

Love the TSA.