Cranky on the Web (February 13 – 17)

Feb 18, 2012

More Reading on This Topic: Government Regulation, Hawaiian

“Cranky Flier” Explores Decline in Small City Airline Service – Part 2 of 2 – ExpertFlyer Hot Topics
In part two of this series, I look at the government programs to help keep small service, primarily Essential Air Service. The conclusion? These aren’t going to cut it – and in fact, can do damage.

Don’t be Fooled by Hawaiian Air’s “Stellar” On-Time Performance – Conde Nast Daily Traveler
Hawaiian consistently finishes at or near the top of the on time charts, but this is really a tale of two airlines. The overwater operation isn’t so great.

In the Trenches: Working From Home with a Child – Intuit Small Business Blog
Turns out that working from home with a child is a challenge. Who knew? Hah.

Brett

10 responses to “Cranky on the Web (February 13 – 17)”

Dan

Feb 18, 2012 at 7:17 am

Hey Brett,

Are you not writing for CNN anymore? Haven’t seen any updates in a couple of weeks. If not, why did that column get bagged so fast?

Reply
1. CF
  
  Feb 18, 2012 at 8:17 am
  
  I’m still writing for CNN. A couple months ago it went down from weekly to a couple times monthly because they wanted to expand beyond air travel and have others write about hotel, etc. We started to ramp back up again this month, but they’re down an editor and that’s caused delays. I had a column that was supposed to go live this week but it didn’t get edited in time – should be up Monday.
  
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Jason H

Feb 18, 2012 at 8:55 am

Brett –

Is there anyway on the Hawaiian on-time issues if there is a difference on the A330 versus B767 routes? I know that one of your past articles (or comments by someone) focused on the relative age of the 767s. Just wondering if the A330s were showing a similar delay percentage; thereby pointing to non-aircraft issues with Hawaiian’s mainland/international operations.

Reply
1. CF
  
  Feb 18, 2012 at 12:23 pm
  
  It did look like the A330 markets of LA and Vegas performed better, so maybe Hawaiian will get its act together once the 767s are gone. But that could just be coincidence.
  
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  1. Sanjeev M
    
    Feb 18, 2012 at 6:53 pm
    
    Does this mean that 737’s will have even better on-time performance on LAX-HNL because they don’t need as much separation in the airspace so will get quicker clearance to land?
    
    @David My guess is that US gets hit the hardest on on-time ratings due to its longtime concentration in the Northeast and relatively small ASM’s compared to the Big 3.
    
    Reply
    1. Fred
      
      Feb 19, 2012 at 7:56 am
      
      I think that the lower delays are more due to fewer maintenance issues rather than airspace separation. 737s are also a little slower than widebodies which would offset that (in theory).
      
      Reply
    2. CF
      
      Feb 19, 2012 at 9:44 am
      
      I don’t see why airspace separation has anything to do with it. There are no airspace issues on this route – it’s simply an issue of Hawaiian not getting its airplanes moving on time.
      
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David SF eastbay

Feb 18, 2012 at 3:21 pm

I’ve never thought Hawaiian being at the top of the on time list was anything to care about for the reasons you give. They are not a ‘real’ airline flying in all kinds of weather or congested air space. Maybe they need to group airlines by the number of flights for on time stats, that seems more logical.

Compare UA/CO/AA/DL/US together and so on, that would give a better picture of who really does better.

Reply
biscuitfarmer

Feb 19, 2012 at 5:30 pm

What percentage of Hawaii’s operations are inter-island/over-water?

Reply
1. CF
  
  Feb 20, 2012 at 9:05 am
  
  I don’t know the exact breakdown, but looking at today, here is how Honolulu departures (where most of them are) break down. There are 80 interisland departures operated 717s. There are 17 overwater flights operated by 767s (11) and A330s (6).
  
  Reply