Cranky on the Web (Nov 2 – 6)

Continental, Delta, Labor Relations, United

Cranky Concierge watches your backHartford Courant
More on Cranky Concierge. It’s picking up steam.

Delta Air Lines Rips Into International Association of MachinistsBNET
The IAM has postponed its representation efforts for Delta’s fleet service workers, and Delta is pissed.

United Seems to Be Closer to Buying New AircraftBNET
Word on the street is that United may finally pull the trigger and buy new planes. But what will they be?

getting your guests to your wedding for lessAntiBride.com
If you’re getting married, getting people out there can be pricey. Here are some tips for saving a little cash.

Therapy for delayed fliersHouston Chronicle
A great article on using Cranky Concierge. Check it out and sign up!

Continental Airlines Revenues are 15 Percent Worse Than Last YearBNET
October revenues are coming in, and the year-over-year comparisons look better but the numbers still look bad.

Ontario Airport’s High Costs Showcase Missed OpportunityBNET
A followup on Ontario Airport’s high costs shows that too many employees making too much money are putting a big burden on the airport’s cost structure.

United Airlines Looks Toward Africa for ProfitsBNET
United will start flying to Africa for the first time, and my guess is that it’s not because Africa is looking more interesting. It’s because the rest of the world is looking pretty bad.

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4 comments on “Cranky on the Web (Nov 2 – 6)

  1. United. Buy new planes? Can’t wait for the jingoistic comments to commence re: Boeing vs Airbus! Your analysis is pretty much spot on, Cranky – I hadn’t thought about the lack of provision when the 757’s retire – given that UA have ditched its 737 fleet, I’m presuming they’re not interested in the new generation 737’s as potential replacements for 757. Incidentally, are they ETOP certified (the new 737’s)? This must be a possibility given the they’re flogged as part of the BBJ fleet, and presumably fly across the Atlantic regularly (say, to perhaps move individuals from one country to another with slightly less regard for human rights……ahem).

    Anyway, I haven’t flown a widebodied Airbus in over a decade – I love the 777, enjoy the idea of the 747 but don’t like flying in Y-class on the UA 747’s, but my last trip in an A340 was pretty much okay. Will be interesting to see what they buy (and how they buy it).

  2. Bobber wrote:

    I’m presuming they’re not interested in the new generation 737’s as potential replacements for 757. Incidentally, are they ETOP certified (the new 737’s)?

    Well, the 737 is the only narrowbody airplane that can make Hawai’i right now so maybe they would consider it. But it would be an awfully awkward subfleet if that’s the only reason to fly them. The 737s are absolutely ETOPS capable. Aloha flew 737-700s to Hawai’i and Continental has stepped it up with 737-800s and 737-900s lately as well. Alaska also flies 737-800s.

  3. Crank,

    Interesting find with the ONT airport costs, specifically with the labor. Have you been able to dig into what the different job categories are? Off the top of my head, there’s LAWA Airport Police, ARFF (Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting), and field operations folks. Also, are you sure that the labor costs are actual salaries, or total costs? Total costs would include benefits packages and overtime pay, which would make those guys less overpaid. And yeah, I worked at a LAWA-managed airport for a few years, and knew a bunch of the airport ops folks. None of them complained about their paycheck…

  4. Dan wrote:

    Crank,
    Interesting find with the ONT airport costs, specifically with the labor. Have you been able to dig into what the different job categories are? Off the top of my head, there’s LAWA Airport Police, ARFF (Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting), and field operations folks. Also, are you sure that the labor costs are actual salaries, or total costs? Total costs would include benefits packages and overtime pay, which would make those guys less overpaid. And yeah, I worked at a LAWA-managed airport for a few years, and knew a bunch of the airport ops folks. None of them complained about their paycheck…

    Not sure about specifics on these numbers, but as an average it still seems quite high, even if it does include benefits.

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