gemac

Some of these comments are other-worldly. As in from Uranus.

Xero

You're right. The tech companies tend to have buy the lowest fare policies. They love WN because there are no change fees there.

Finance companies seem to be less cost conscious when it comes to airfare. I know people in both industries and the difference is very apparent. If high tech companies spent like finance companies on airfare, then SJC would definitely be a hub for some legacy.

FWAAA

And now that its iron-fisted patriarch is gone (sadly), perhaps that company will become fat and sloppy with its air travel budget, permitting its employees to fly often, and anywhere they want, always in premium cabins.

Probably not.

But if there were enough companies in Silicon Valley willing to burn money, then AA and others would listen. Witness AA's buildup at SJC (the second time around) just after the tech bubble popped - with new flights to CDG and TPE and plenty of nonstops to BOS and JFK.

Dieuwer

Another few points in favor of SFO compared to SJC:

1) Money. SFO is much closer to people with deep pockets (only the rich can afford to live in SF).
2) Airport access. SFO is much closer to SF and has excellent mass transport options (Bart). SJC not so much.

eponymous_coward

The only way AA builds up SJC service is if they buy AS. Then there would be a reasonable case to run some planes SEA/PDX-SJC-(AA hub), plus they could use QX Q400s instead of RJs on SJC-LAX, on top of AS's current service. It would be good for utilization.

That being said, I don't think AA is buying AS anytime soon (and there's a sad history involved where West Coast airlines and/or AA purchases get turned into empty gates and beer cans- WA, TW, QQ and so on).

diver858

I have been flying from SAN to SJC for almost 20 years now, gone through the AirCal, Reno acquistions, downsizing to RJ, untimately dropping service to where WN is the only game in town. Fares are up dramatically, often as much as double similar schedules betwen SAN and SFO, where there is competition from VA.

While WN does not charge change fees, standing by for an earlier flight can be expensive - free (for elites) on AA. Personally, being able to get home early is a valuable benefit.

I find it odd that AS / Horizon have added service from SAN to FAT, STS and MRY, but not SJC - would make me happy.

albutt27

Not true. Cupertino, Palo Alto and Los Altos are just as expensive as SF and closer to SJC.

I would love it if AA were to build a stronger presence at SJC and the Bay Area. Unfortunately, the writing is on the wall that they don't care about SJC. It's really hard for AA to compete in the Bay Area as there are too many dominant players in the market and AA hasn't done much to seperate itself from the rest.

FYI
SJC is the first to get the Dreamliner flight, however it's ANA.
http://blog.sfgate.com/cmcginnis/201...mliner-flight/

brp

Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Menlo Park, Atherton. And, in general, typically more expensive than SF. Where do you think Larry Ellison, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, ... live/lived?

Of course, Robin Williams does live in SF, but that's not the same net worth ballpark.

I'll also add that San Jose is quite a bit larger in population than SF, so there are more people close to SJC than to SFO.

The BART option to SFO is nice although, last time I checked, it involved a change of trains at Millbrae.

Cheers.

mvoight

In addition to EQM, AS also gives AAdvantage elites 2 free checked bags and priority boarding.

mvoight

Yep, I like the ad's mention of the 1991 expansion in SJC. I moved to SJC from AUS in 1991, and due to the new terminal and AA's expansion, I switched my flying from CO (which still used stairs in the old Terminal C) to AA's shiny new terminal A. I was happy when AA added QQ (Reno Air), then they stop flying where I needed to go. I remember AA calling me last year to ask why I wasn't flying them much anymore... LOL.

mvoight

Let's not leave out the LA's... Los Altos, and especially Los Altos Hills

brp

Los Altos was in the original post I quoted. And Los Altos Hills goes without saying

Cheers.

mvoight

?? Stanford is closer to SJC than SFO. Also, SJ has major league hockey and soccer, and Santa Clara is the home of the 49'ers. Their offices are their. Their practice field is there. They just play regular games in SF. Soon they will play in Santa Clara. Also SJ is trying to get the Oakland A's to move.
With new planes and pay likely to be more in line with competitors. I don't understand why AA shouldn't be able to compete at SFO or SJC.

Upgraded!

The tech guys seem to be lower maintenance in terms of things they want on a plane vs the finance guys. I bet 9/10 would take an all-coach flight with wifi over F on a plane without any. They like the convenience of WN and its somewhat quirky style of doing things probably appeals to that personality.

I also don't think they do the same kinds of long-distance travel as bankers do (since, surprise surprise, they make the bankers come to them), hence less concern with things like premium cabins and lounges.

It's also worth pointing out that there is a significant amount of finance activity in Silicon Valley as well; the tech bankers and VCs all tend to be on/around Sandhill Road which last I checked was closer to SJC than SFO (if only by a half mile or so)...

brp

Silicon Valley tech guy here and...uh...no. This is probably true of the rank-and-file, but not the case for the management, even those who are from tech backgrounds. Trust me on this one

Cheers.