Comments on: US Airways Chooses Simple Goals

By: Mike Smith

Mike Smith — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:44:56 +0000

No airline, whether USAirways or another, will EVER be profitable and give reasonably good service until the airline executives will stop a marketing strategy of “cheap fares” are all that matters to the point the general public feels they are entitled to a ticket for FAR less than the reasonable cost of PRODUCING that seat. Until airlines quit “marketing and selling below cost” the airline industry will continue to be a THREE RING CIRCUS ZOO. The only thing to be seen is whether the airlines will clean up their acts on their own (doubtful) or will Congress have to do it for them in the form of at least limited re-regulation–at least to the extent of prohibiting below cost ticket sales and requiring some minumum standards on lost bags and controllable delays. Buying and selling on “cost and schedule” ALONE will NEVER provide even a RELIABLE airline industry, much less a QUALITY one.

By: The Cranky Flier » Surprised? US Airways Is Doing Things Right

The Cranky Flier » Surprised? US Airways Is Doing Things Right — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:44:20 +0000

[...] executing on quite well. As a refresher, here is the airline’s strategy as explained to us at this year’s Media Day. First, let’s remember that I’m primarily talking about domestic flying here. So, [...]

By: The Cranky Flier » Top 5 Ways US Airways Might Increase Revenues or Reduce Costs

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:08:33 +0000

[...] strategy they’ve laid out, right or wrong. This is the strategy that was outlined for us at media day back in March. In their eyes, all that matters is price and schedule as long as the appearance is clean, the [...]

By: Margaret Nahmias

Margaret Nahmias — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:14:00 +0000

Hey, they have it right. That’s why I have never flown JetBlue and Southwest. . They both have great reputations,but did not have flights when I needed them However, it about what one gets for the price. Ironically, flyers don’t mind paying fees as long as customer service is good according the latest JD Power customer satisfaction survey.
I am glad US management is setting realistic goals instead of making grandiose promises they can’t keep. Parker and company admitted they screwed up and trying make a amends. The only problem they should done this at the beginning of last year instead of chasing after Delta.

By: CF

CF — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:24:33 +0000

VANative – I actually was around US Airways in the late 1990s (going to college in DC and interning with the airline), and I have to agree that it was hardly a stellar airline. But the (empty) promise of being one was there, and that’s why I think you still see a lot of threads in FlyerTalk bemoaning the changes we’ve seen since the America West merger.

But I think most people who grew up with Piedmont (and PSA for that matter) would whole-heartedly agree with you that US Air destroyed the cultures that used to exist at those airlines.

By: VANative in NYC

VANative in NYC — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:28:03 +0000

Guess you could call me one of those FlyerTalkers. Been posting there since 2000.

You obviously were not around; but I was – and I can recall nothing ‘good’ about the ‘old’ USAir, better known as Useless Air since 1990 when Wolfe and Rakesh absorbed and destroyed the Piedmont operations and culture.

Even the original Allegheny (aka Agony) was better than what they did with what they put together.

Then they raped it and moved on, ala Icahn at TWA

By: Yo

Yo — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:16:32 +0000

Great article, the key is getting the militant types out east to either lead, follow or get out of the way. No, its not the old USAirways, that is dead. Having glassware did not make for a profitable airline.

USAirways need to hit that niche that is above Southwest, but is still a high frequency, low cost carrier.

I’d hate to see all this promise killed by a lack of morale.

By: Nicholas Barnard

Nicholas Barnard — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:47:08 +0000

Cranky thank you for doing an entry on an airline that has a special place for me. They used to be the only airline we’d fly when we lived in BGM.

I see strains of Bethune at Continental going through US Airways. If only they could get all cylinders firing at the same time.

By: CF

CF — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:33:04 +0000

Arrggh. Too much editing, I suppose. Thanks, Harr. It’s been fixed.

By: Harr Chen

Harr Chen — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:28:56 +0000

Wow great writeup. Just a small nitpick:

Obviously the airline’s goal is the achieve the latter.

should be

Obviously the airline’s goal is to achieve the former.