Low-Cost Airfare May Mean Longer Delays ("Elite" media propaganda)

ABC News ^ | May. 26, 2005 | Lisa Stark

[Paleo Conservative]

May. 26, 2005 - In anticipation of what may be one of the busiest travel seasons on record, the nation's top aviation regulator today warned of added delays and headaches at the U.S. airports.

"Am I concerned about the fact that our system is just about at capacity and all the flights are full? Yeah, it's going to be a real challenge this summer, there's no question about it," said Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Marion Blakey.

This summer, 200 million passengers are expected to fly -- up 4 percent from last year -- according to the Department of Transportation. Already this year, one in every four flights is delayed with wait times averaging 52 minutes.

The biggest problems, according to the DOT, are expected at Atlanta; Philadelphia; New York's LaGuardia; Newark, N.J.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and Washington's Dulles Airport.

Low-cost air carriers are one key reason for the delays. The companies, which add flights and lower fares, are encouraging more people to fly.

For example, when Southwest Airlines started servicing Philadelphia and began flying to Providence, R.I., the one-way fare dropped from $328 to $54. The number of passengers skyrocketed in three months from 10,000 to more than 100,000, according to the DOT.

At Dulles Airport, Independence Air began operating as a low-cost carrier a year ago.

"We're looking forward to excellent passenger traffic," said Rick DeLisi, Independence Air's director of corporate communications. "Lots of people are looking to fly the new low-fare airlines." To remain competitive, United Airlines increased flights at Dulles and lowered its fares. Overall, according to the DOT, delays at Dulles have now increased more than 100 percent.

At New York's JFK Airport, delays are up 52 percent due to the growth of low-cost carriers like Jet Blue.

"Travel is no longer an elitist thing," said Amy Ziff, editor-at-large of the travel Web site Travelocity.com. "But the other side of it is that we don't have a system that is yet ready to handle all that travel as it continues to come on board."

Airlines and the FAA insist they will be ready for the onslaught, but no one's predicting smooth skies.

ABC News' Lisa Stark filed this report for "World News Tonight."

Click here for tips on how to avoid airport delays.

[Paleo Conservative]

I'm sure the news department at ABC would just love for air travel to be just for the elites the way it was prior to deregulation.

[Paleo Conservative]

Here is the full title. It wouldn't fit in the Free Republic's 100 character limit.

Low-Cost Airfare May Mean Longer Delays

Lines Grow Longer as More Enticed to Travel by Budget Airlines

[Paleo Conservative]

Ping!

If you want on or off my aerospace ping list, please contact me by Freep mail not by posting to this thread.

[MarkL]

I remember the days when flying was something special, and people actually dressed up to travel.

Later, people dressed down...

Now, I think that any time I have to fly, I'm going to wear nothing by sweat pants, a tee shirt, and flip flops, carrying only my drivers license to get through security with a minimum hassle.

Mark

[konaice]

Am I concerned about the fact that our system is just about at capacity and all the flights are full?

You mean all those parked airplanes and dropped flights might have to be put back in service? You mean the airlines might have to re-hire all the laid off air-crews?

The Horrors!!!

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Low cost airfare ?
Well ? as long as the airline is making a profit, servicing their costumers right, maintaining the aircraft right and in a safe manner, and the costumer is getting a low airfare, as long as everyone is happy, I don't see no problem in that.
I always wondered ? after a airline buys a new jet, how many years or flights does it take for them to pay off that jet, and start making a profit in that airframe ?
How much does your large airline make on one of it's flights$ 800,000 ? $ 500,000 on a 747 International flight ? $ 250,000 ?
( I am only guessing on these numbers ).
The average coach economy class seat flying international on a 747 is about? maybe $ 600 to 2000 ?
I can only guess a first class is about $ 5000 and up... so ?
You got 20-30-50 first class seats + $ 5000 = $ 250,000 ... and that's just first class.
30 -50 business class seats X 2000 -3000 between $ 150 to 250 thousand per flight.
You got 300 coach or economy class seats X $ 1000 = $ 300,000.
Add them all together, $ 300,000 from coach/economy, $ 250,000 from business, $ 250,000 from first class....
You get $ 800,000 per flight ( if full ) on a International flight on a 747....
( I am just guessing here... I would have to do some research on the seat configuration on a 747 ) ...
Let's say half of that is for overhead cost i.e. jet fuel, pilots and F/A pay... maintainers.. so on and so on....
( I guess... ) the large airlines are making $ 400,000 on each flight...
The average 747-400 new cost about ( in 2004 dollars ) $ 198 - 200 million ..... so basically, they could have it paid off in 3 - 5 years.... and after it is paid off, they are basically stuffing $ 400,000 ( per flight ) back into the Airline, or in the bank.

[goldstategop]

Oh woe! Air travel should remain a luxury for the well-heeled. It offends the senses to have Joe and Jane Six Pack gasp!> take advantage of low cost air travel. The great unwashed just inconvenience every one else's summer plans and we all know who the legacy media means. ;-)

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Here is the line that gave it away.
"Travel is no longer an elitist thing," said Amy Ziff, editor-at-large of the travel Web site Travelocity.com

[Jimmy Valentine]

You forgot something. All passenger planes carry in addition to passengers i.e. "cattle" extensive amounts of cargo.

Just like the railroads many years ago, the airlines make more money from air cargo than passengers per mile flown.

So next time you fly remember that in addition to your suitcase there are high priority packages, etc. flying too and they don't get drunk and pee on the drinks cart!

Regards,

[Gunrunner2]

TSA = Delays.

[Gunrunner2]

I have flown over 100,000 miles this year. The "average" passenger is just how you describe (dressed down), and TSA goons don't help matters.

Side note: Several gates at my airport. One gate is always backed up and the screeners are awful rude. Other gate is staffed by an excellent team (generally older and more personable). Hardly anyone used that gate. I do to avoid the long lines.

I called the local Airport Directors office and praised the good gate team and basically said the other gate, while doing their job, are not as professional. Received callback from the Deputy Director and this yahoo started to attack my praise because he used to be in charge of the rude gate teams. Finally, and I am not kidding, the next time I flew (which is weekly), the good gate team was no where to be seen. I walked past the awful gate and there they were, scattered throughout the screening area. I asked one of the good screeneres that I know (and he knows me), "What happened." He said their team was broken up and are no longer assigned to the good gate. Typical government action. . .take something that works and break it.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Just goes to show, that you learn something every day.
So it would not be to far fetched to guess, that a adverage 747 on a international flight with PAX and cargo could bring in $ 1 million dollars ?

[Gunrunner2]

>>I can only guess a first class is about $ 5000 and up... so ?<<

Business a little over 5K, First around 10K.

If people want to fly low cost airlines, have at it. However, if they want to fly full-fare/full-service airlines, I think they should a) dress the part, and b) act the part (this ain't Greyhound).

[Gunrunner2]

Pay-off generally takes about 20-yrs. . on average.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

opps,,,, I meant... just goes to show, that you learn something new everyday.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

You mean ? the airlines won't break even on a new airframe and purely make a profit after 20 years ?
Depending on the flight cycles, after 20 years the plane is getting close to retirement.

[chronic_loser]

Let's say half of that is for overhead cost>>>>>

I will never hire you as MY accountant! While you are making up numbers, lets just say overhead is only 10% and we can make even MORE money! wheeee!!!! I never knew business was so easy. I think I will ask our accountant to adjust our overhead down from 2001-2005 from 86% to 30%. When should I expect a check?

[Prophet in the wilderness]

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/prices/

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Your right.... I never was good at accounting or math... lol..
Seriously... I was just guessing these numbers at the top of my head ... maybe someone here has a better idea how much money the airlines are being in on each flight.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Then if their ( average overhead cost ) is 86 % ... then, they are not really making a good profit ( at least it's better than what Amtrak is doing ).