Originally Posted by
PorkRind
The Signature Service configuration means that there's never any gate checked baggage; you can board whenever you want on a full flight and find overhead space. And while you state that "In many cases to many destinations you will experience Midwest’s “Saver Service”," the number of Saver flights is a small fraction of the number of Signature flights.
The problem is that the number of signature service flights are relatively stagnant and the number of "saver service" / Skyway / Skywest flights will be increasing. Will you be able to find ample overhead space at the last minute and avoid gate checking baggage on the new SkyWest 50 seat CRJ aircraft?
The Signature Service configuration probably does provide an experience that is 100% better most other carriers, but the economics of that configuration makes it extremely hard to provide it economically on just about any other aircraft. Even though I am in favor of the AirTran merger I was very curious to see if YX really had a viable "growth plan" that they have been talking about, and I was even hoping that they would prove me wrong and come up with something innovative (everyone likes an underdog). YX's potential for growth at the same level of service is a
HUGE question (with or without the FL merger). If 15 to 25 SkyWest 50 seat CRJs, 2 used gas-guzzling MD80s, and adding a very insignificant number of signature service seats to their Saver aircraft is their answer to this question, than their brand that they have worked so hard to differentiate along with their airline is in serious trouble.