Comments on: Cranky on the Web (Nov 2 – 6)

By: CF

CF — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:03:58 +0000

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.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:01:50 +0000

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…

By: CF

CF — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:29:44 +0000

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.

By: Bobber

Bobber — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:57:27 +0000

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).