United — Dropping Regionals in Favor of Mainlines, May Lose Two Hubs

[pete2800]

I disagree that dropping regionals entirely is a great idea.

It's a fantastic idea.

I get that, but when has a mainline proven that they can run a regional well and profitably? I see the side for pilot career advancement...who wants to jump from airline to airline or deal with the frustrating application and interview process over and over, in a career that rewards loyalty, its a horrible situation to wait. It's a double edged sword because you can look at it from a pilot's perspective or from both that and a profitability stance. In the example of ASA at least, was it better before Delta owned them entirely, when Delta owned them, or when they were sold to SkyWest? Delta seemed to run the operation into the ground. I am sure there might be an exception, but regionals wouldn't even exist if it wasn't for the shortfalls the mainlines had with trying to do that themselves.

If they can do it well, I totally agree. If they are prepared to train their pilots from the moment they graduate to the moment they retire, makes sense to me. Less hassle all around. I just am a little skeptical about it being something they can accomplish and still maintain the profits they have become accustomed to. Because ultimately, it is all about the investors. They created that monster.

Why the question about whether or not mainline can do regional flying? Flying is flying, CRJ or A380. Of course mainline isn't going to run a regional as profitably as playing 4 sub-contractors against each other will. But slightly higher unit costs would have the by-product of increased stability which would drive down long term costs... Regionals exist only because pilots have allowed regionals to exist. It has nothing to do with mainline operational incompetence. If you can operate a '47 you can operate an RJ...

 

[bp]

"Furthermore, the FAA is removing Newark International Airport's slot constraints as of this fall. This would allow United to start adding flights there if it wants to -- something that hasn't been an option recently (at least on peak days)."
I glossed over this before. What does this mean, for the ignorant newhire?

 

[BWER]

"Furthermore, the FAA is removing Newark International Airport's slot constraints as of this fall. This would allow United to start adding flights there if it wants to -- something that hasn't been an option recently (at least on peak days)."
I glossed over this before. What does this mean, for the ignorant newhire?

More delays going into EWR.

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[azmedic]

Probably PHX.

Sadly I think you're right. Doesn't make much sense to have PHX as a hub with LAX and DFW on either side of it.


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[Maximilian_Jenius]

Sadly I think you're right. Doesn't make much sense to have PHX as a hub with LAX and DFW on either side of it.


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They built it up though I guess in the meantime. It's a pretty huge 737 base.

 

[Cptnchia]

They built it up though I guess in the meantime. It's a pretty huge 737 base.

CVG was once a pretty huge 737 base.

 

[MikeD]

CVG was once a pretty huge 737 base.

Is CVG on life support now, for your company?

 

[chrisreedrules]

Is CVG on life support now, for your company?

I think CVG is on perpetual life support. Rumors abound that AAG may want PSA to close CVG sometime in 2017 as it has not performed as well as they had hoped.

 

[Cptnchia]

Is CVG on life support now, for your company?

CVG is in hospice. It's only a matter of time now.

 

[Kingairer]

Sadly I think you're right. Doesn't make much sense to have PHX as a hub with LAX and DFW on either side of it.


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Still no plans to shrink PHX. That's what they are saying now which buys us a few more years at least before they close it. LAX and PHX do very different things unlike CVg/DTW.