Anyone else notice empty planes?
Nov 28, 2010 | 9:13 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Land of ORD
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My flight from ORD this morning had a lot of empty seats. I had to take a morning flight as my usual 7PM flight was a thousand dollars more as of a month ago. Maybe they guessed wrong about the demand?
Nov 28, 2010 | 9:18 pm
#17
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For other reasons, I'd be worried if the empty planes happen to be one of my favourite airline flying one of my favourite route with my favourite arr/dep timings.
Nov 28, 2010 | 9:24 pm
#18
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 106
MIL's southwest flight LAS to BUF Wednesday, empty seats.
BUF to LAS today - empty seats.
This is good for her from a financial perspective because she traveled with a companion and they purchased a third seat so no one would sit between them. When the flight isn't full, my understanding is they get a refund for that middle seat.
BUF to LAS today - empty seats.
This is good for her from a financial perspective because she traveled with a companion and they purchased a third seat so no one would sit between them. When the flight isn't full, my understanding is they get a refund for that middle seat.
Nov 29, 2010 | 2:15 am
#19
Join Date: May 2006
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All 3 of my WN flights on Friday were empty. One only had 30 people on it. LAX was a ghost town when I changed planes there. Granted I flew on Friday, but last year and the year before my flights were stuffed to the gills. My flights Monday were totally packed.
The airports had a strange feel to them this year. Much quieter and more subdued than normal. But the topic was definitely the scanners. Heard a bunch of people talking about them in PDX, SJC and LAX. Even two weeks ago at MDW they were a hot topic.
All 3 of my WN flights on Friday were empty. One only had 30 people on it. LAX was a ghost town when I changed planes there. Granted I flew on Friday, but last year and the year before my flights were stuffed to the gills. My flights Monday were totally packed.
The airports had a strange feel to them this year. Much quieter and more subdued than normal. But the topic was definitely the scanners. Heard a bunch of people talking about them in PDX, SJC and LAX. Even two weeks ago at MDW they were a hot topic.
Nov 29, 2010 | 2:54 am
#20
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Sunday & Monday are what will matter.
All indications from Wednesday were that air travel was down, highway travel up, but we really need some numbers to confirm that.
All indications from Wednesday were that air travel was down, highway travel up, but we really need some numbers to confirm that.
Nov 29, 2010 | 3:16 am
#21
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granted, IAH-AVL on co isn't exactly a huge route, but there were five empty seats on the rj yesterday (sunday)...i really did expect it to be full, as it has been when i've taken it in the past.
Nov 29, 2010 | 4:00 am
#23
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Nov 29, 2010 | 4:13 am
#24
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Strategically, yes. Tactically and operationally, usually not, as planes need to be at certain places at certain times. That, and the cargo can make up a huge portion of the difference. Though if it's a small outstation with more then one flight a day, and both in/out are empty, and there's another turn-around that day, and all segments combined won't fill the plane (both pax and cargo)... then sure, nothing stopping them from canceling a flight that's under-booked.
Nov 29, 2010 | 4:29 am
#25
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Nov 29, 2010 | 8:17 am
#28
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: IAH/HOU
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IF you read what Michael Roberts posted earlier this morning in the "This is the day/the Michael Roberts Express Jet" thread, the reports he is getting from his inside contacts definetly indicate air travel was down and hopefully according to him down enough that once the numbers are all added up, enough to get the attention of even the most reluctant elected officials^
Nov 29, 2010 | 8:59 am
#29
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Traffic Report
I flew "Toyota pick-up" from Northern Virginia to Upstate NY (~400 miles one way) on Wednesday and drove back Sunday afternoon. The TSA harassment completely killed any inkling of considering flying.
Wednesday was normal-to-heavy in spots.
Sunday night was total gridlock out in the middle of nowhere around the intersection of I-78 and I-81. The gridlock started about 10 miles before I-78 ends at I-81 and continued another 15 miles south on I-81 towards Harrisburg. This was 40 miles from Harrisburg -- not Los Angeles.