RJ insanity
Jun 6, 2002 | 12:29 am
#1
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RJ insanity
Was looking at trips that might work as weekend mileage runs later in the year. CO is matching AirTran for $118 RT for ATL-MKE. Hmm...tempting. Prices to $141 after taxes and junk fees.
Started working on possible routings and found that both IAH and EWR were allowed connections (looks like I can route through one of the other, but not both).
Then the dealbreaker: All routings through either hub brought up only RJs for the last segment. EWR-MKE in an RJ, or IAH-MKE (!) in an RJ. Geez Louise. I guess MKE is the long-distance RJ capital.
Good thing they bought a lot of 737-800s or we could be headed for transcon RJs.
Started working on possible routings and found that both IAH and EWR were allowed connections (looks like I can route through one of the other, but not both).
Then the dealbreaker: All routings through either hub brought up only RJs for the last segment. EWR-MKE in an RJ, or IAH-MKE (!) in an RJ. Geez Louise. I guess MKE is the long-distance RJ capital.
Good thing they bought a lot of 737-800s or we could be headed for transcon RJs.
Jun 6, 2002 | 6:35 am
#2
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It will only get worse.
Currently CO has 137 jungle jets versus 352 planes in its mainline fleet. By the end of 2004, they plan to have 273 RJs versus 390 planes in the mainline fleet.
CO's 70% RJ/mainline mix will be the highest in the industry. The industry (U.S.) average is projected to be 42% at the end of 2004.
FWIW, CAL has 83 737-8/9s as of 12/01 and plans to have 106 by the end of 2004.
Happy trails.
Currently CO has 137 jungle jets versus 352 planes in its mainline fleet. By the end of 2004, they plan to have 273 RJs versus 390 planes in the mainline fleet.
CO's 70% RJ/mainline mix will be the highest in the industry. The industry (U.S.) average is projected to be 42% at the end of 2004.
FWIW, CAL has 83 737-8/9s as of 12/01 and plans to have 106 by the end of 2004.
Happy trails.
Jun 6, 2002 | 7:30 am
#3
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Hey RustyC -
Does NW match the fare? Maybe even via MSP for max miles?
Does NW match the fare? Maybe even via MSP for max miles?
Jun 6, 2002 | 7:34 am
#4
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Don't forget that 75 of those new Jungle Jets are gonna be the 2, 
nautical mile range ERJ-145XR, with options for 1 more!
snake just loves long skinny airplanes.
nautical mile range ERJ-145XR, with options for 1 more!snake just loves long skinny airplanes.
Jun 6, 2002 | 7:47 am
#5
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Hmm.....since there will be no FC cabin in any of these jungle jets, methinks it may be good to consider a switch in airlines??
Why bother to try and get elite status if you can't upgrade on jungle jets??
Why bother to try and get elite status if you can't upgrade on jungle jets??
Jun 6, 2002 | 8:42 am
#6
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I don't know about you guys, but I'd much rather ride in FC on a 30-year old NW DC9 (and probably at a cheaper fare) than a brand new RJ for anything over an hour.
Jun 6, 2002 | 8:50 am
#7
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by sgopal2:
Hmm.....since there will be no FC cabin in any of these jungle jets, methinks it may be good to consider a switch in airlines??
Why bother to try and get elite status if you can't upgrade on jungle jets??</font>
Hmm.....since there will be no FC cabin in any of these jungle jets, methinks it may be good to consider a switch in airlines??
Why bother to try and get elite status if you can't upgrade on jungle jets??</font>
Jun 6, 2002 | 1:20 pm
#8
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H53Epilot: Expect 'em also to crow about the lowest % of middle seats in the industry, since there aren't any on the RJs.
I think iah-plat and sgopal2 hit it on the head. Am a CO plat (probably gold next year) & am thinking seriously of trying a roundabout comp to NW status & making them my main airline with CO for occasional trips. CO really kept me in the fold last year with the mileage sales & bonuses, but they don't seem to have the same edge this year.
One would think the pilots would have to say "Enough!" at some point on these RJs, since a big reason for the substitutions are to do more planes with the lower-paid guys flying.
I think iah-plat and sgopal2 hit it on the head. Am a CO plat (probably gold next year) & am thinking seriously of trying a roundabout comp to NW status & making them my main airline with CO for occasional trips. CO really kept me in the fold last year with the mileage sales & bonuses, but they don't seem to have the same edge this year.
One would think the pilots would have to say "Enough!" at some point on these RJs, since a big reason for the substitutions are to do more planes with the lower-paid guys flying.
Jun 6, 2002 | 1:24 pm
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by iah-plat:
I don't know about you guys, but I'd much rather ride in FC on a 30-year old NW DC9 (and probably at a cheaper fare) than a brand new RJ for anything over an hour.</font>
I don't know about you guys, but I'd much rather ride in FC on a 30-year old NW DC9 (and probably at a cheaper fare) than a brand new RJ for anything over an hour.</font>
Jun 6, 2002 | 2:14 pm
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For their marketing campaign, CO could also bring in Lou Reed....."hey, it beats walking". 
Jun 7, 2002 | 5:22 am
#11
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JonNYC:
Well let's not get carried away here</font>
Well let's not get carried away here
</font>
Jun 7, 2002 | 6:34 am
#12
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RUSTYC:
The CA pilots' contract comes up for renewal in October 2002. Currently the only restriction re RJs is that they have no more than 60 seats.
The CA pilots' contract comes up for renewal in October 2002. Currently the only restriction re RJs is that they have no more than 60 seats.
Jun 7, 2002 | 8:21 am
#13
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MileKing:
For their marketing campaign, CO could also bring in Lou Reed....."hey, it beats walking".</font>
For their marketing campaign, CO could also bring in Lou Reed....."hey, it beats walking".
</font>
Jun 7, 2002 | 10:21 am
#14
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by socrates:
Get carried away???? I agree with iah-plat...Given the way CO has "enhanced" their employees (ie they can't do anything) and their fleet (heading towards the 50% RJ point) I'll take a 35 year old 9 anyday (especially since I'll be in F)...seat 1a on an RJ just doesn't quite compare...but then maybe I'm being too hard on RJ's....but then again it's my choice who gets my $$$</font>
Get carried away???? I agree with iah-plat...Given the way CO has "enhanced" their employees (ie they can't do anything) and their fleet (heading towards the 50% RJ point) I'll take a 35 year old 9 anyday (especially since I'll be in F)...seat 1a on an RJ just doesn't quite compare...but then maybe I'm being too hard on RJ's....but then again it's my choice who gets my $$$</font>
Jun 12, 2002 | 12:17 am
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How do you find out when pilot contracts are up?