Spyro

MEM closed a few days ago, and now DL has added flights to all of their other hubs, some are just more flights to existing routes and some are resuming old service. It's not a huge increase, but I definitely noticed some new flights at DTW, MSP, and *gasp* CVG! Of course there's a gazillion flights from MEM to ATL to shuttle those O/D passengers to the mega-hub.

We've beat this dead horse up over and over. I am aware that Delta tried to "make MEM work" in several ways, such as trying to become what DFW used to be for them. However, I can't help but think that they didn't put much effort into trying to get it to work, as they seem to have wasted no time in re-directing their passenger flow.

Oh well, it doesn't affect me too much, but I will miss flying through that airport. Maybe I'll make a trip to visit Memphis just for fun, assuming I can cough up enough money for the ticket price!

Vuelos

huh??

indufan

If it wasn't for the proper direction of their passenger flow, there would be no need for hubs at all. I am not sure about the "effort into trying to get it to work". They aren't playing football, if they don't think it will work then it isn't even worth playing the game....even though they have for a long time since the merger.

sdadept

MEM just never had enough local outbound traffic. I still wish Delta would go back to Dallas.

Spyro

Agreed. The DFW metroplex has a tremendously higher number of local traffic compared to MEM, and many of us Texas-based folk would love the DFW hub again. However I seriously doubt that'll happen anytime soon since AA and WN seem to have that market lock stock and barrel. DL coming back to DFW would be like AA making a hub in ATL. I did talk to a DL DFW employee a month ago and he heard DL was trying to get a few "non-hub" routes from DFW, like some Florida leisure routes and a few others, but that was just hearsay and was certainly not confirmed. If that's the case, then I think DL might be able to support those routes since evidently there's still alot of old Delta loyalty in the area, but they'll probably never make a true hub again.

emrdoc

Judging by the upgrade lists out of DFW, there is definitely some Delta loyalty!

SSF556

Preach it brother....I can guarantee you I am not the only DM flying out of DFW on Delta....

DaveNC

Flew through MEM yesterday, and it was like a ghost town. One of the B wings has been shut down completely. Of course, my travel partner and I had the Sky Club mostly to ourselves. In an ideal world, they would keep RDU-MEM and upgrade the plane to a 717, but that's probably asking a lot under the circumstances.

indufan

That really isn't something I picture in an ideal world.

motytrah

What's the under/over on DL keeping the club open?

cfw

All the more reason to compete in Houston. United has cornered that market squarely, and they don't have the product to back it up. AF and KL are the bulk of the SkyTeam presence there, and would benefit from a better feeder system.

Often1

The more mega a hub becomes, the more fortress-like it becomes and the less choice for consumers, thus higher fares.

It's not that DL did or didn't "try" at MEM, it's that MEM made no sense.

The good news is that the Club is almost empty today. The bad news is that tomorrow it will be empty and the day after that closed.

Spiff

MEM still operates a Cramped Regional Jet (CR2 ) for the 400+ mile flight to ORD. No thanks. It's half-assed "service" like this that results in a negative feedback loop resulting in removal of the route.

motytrah

I agree with that. Business travelers remember that kind of stuff and they usually make up 60% of the revenue.

Anyone have some history on the gate leases? I'm assuming by now DL has abandoned them? I would guess they slow played it to make sure there wasn't an opening while the airport was still viable to other airlines.

DaveNC

Also the 400+ mile route MEM-IAH. Hopefully DL will be true to their statement that the CR2s will be relegated to small markets so that these routes will see an upgrade instead of simply being cut.