Skybus 2
09-02-2008, 09:58 AM
#44
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: md11
Posts: 87
-Why Skybus won't work in Springfield Ohio-
First off I live in central Ohio, Wilmington to be exact, about 40 miles from Springfield.
-The people of Springfield alone could never support enough pax demand to support the loads needed to be profitable. There is only maybe 60K residents in Springfield, and it's by no means a wealthy city.
-Springfield is only easily accessible by one east-west highway (I70). (50 miles from Columbus, about 30 from Dayton). If you live in any of the urban cities in central Ohio (like I do) then it's a pain in the *** to get to Springfield because of all the backroads you have to take. I drive to Springfield to get my ATV's serviced and it takes longer to drive there than to drive down to Cincinnati, Dayton, or Columbus.
-The Employment and Economy in Central Ohio are Taking a huge hit. The biggest is the DHL pullout of Wilmington. Over 10,000+ jobs will be lost by the end of next year. These people live all over Central Ohio, not just Wilmington. This will have a huge trickle down affect on all the surrounding communities, many foreclosures, already a record number of homes for sale (nobody buying though),many people will have to leave the region to find work. Plus the closing of the GM plant in Moraine (Dayton),many job losses in Ohio. Unemployment will be at an all time high in Central Ohio by then end of next year. People won't have money to fly much less pay bills.
-no one from the Cincinnati will drive to Springfield to fly. They will drive to Dayton, Indianapolis, or Louisville. all three have direct highway access with more selection and cheaper prices than Cincinnati.
-The farmers ,even with corn prices at an all time high, are now gonna have to deal with lower harvest expectations due to lack of rain in August. In Clinton county we are looking at a lot of stalk rot. Farming makes up a lot of Central Ohio economics.
-The airport isn't setup for the demand Skybus would put on it. Ramp space needs to be added, Parking is an issue, the roads in and out of there (which are back roads not highways) need to be worked on to handle the increase in traffic,etc.
-Overall the location is bad and the timing is worse.
-just opinions from someone who lives in the region.
First off I live in central Ohio, Wilmington to be exact, about 40 miles from Springfield.
-The people of Springfield alone could never support enough pax demand to support the loads needed to be profitable. There is only maybe 60K residents in Springfield, and it's by no means a wealthy city.
-Springfield is only easily accessible by one east-west highway (I70). (50 miles from Columbus, about 30 from Dayton). If you live in any of the urban cities in central Ohio (like I do) then it's a pain in the *** to get to Springfield because of all the backroads you have to take. I drive to Springfield to get my ATV's serviced and it takes longer to drive there than to drive down to Cincinnati, Dayton, or Columbus.
-The Employment and Economy in Central Ohio are Taking a huge hit. The biggest is the DHL pullout of Wilmington. Over 10,000+ jobs will be lost by the end of next year. These people live all over Central Ohio, not just Wilmington. This will have a huge trickle down affect on all the surrounding communities, many foreclosures, already a record number of homes for sale (nobody buying though),many people will have to leave the region to find work. Plus the closing of the GM plant in Moraine (Dayton),many job losses in Ohio. Unemployment will be at an all time high in Central Ohio by then end of next year. People won't have money to fly much less pay bills.
-no one from the Cincinnati will drive to Springfield to fly. They will drive to Dayton, Indianapolis, or Louisville. all three have direct highway access with more selection and cheaper prices than Cincinnati.
-The farmers ,even with corn prices at an all time high, are now gonna have to deal with lower harvest expectations due to lack of rain in August. In Clinton county we are looking at a lot of stalk rot. Farming makes up a lot of Central Ohio economics.
-The airport isn't setup for the demand Skybus would put on it. Ramp space needs to be added, Parking is an issue, the roads in and out of there (which are back roads not highways) need to be worked on to handle the increase in traffic,etc.
-Overall the location is bad and the timing is worse.
-just opinions from someone who lives in the region.
09-02-2008, 01:32 PM
#46
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: A320 CA
Posts: 31
Why SKB could work in Springfield.
You have to think a little more Macro than Springfield itself. There are 5.2 million people that live within 75 miles of the airport. An equal amount as surrounds DFW. That's the argument.
To say that no one would drive from Cincinnati to Springfield is just not accurate, I would say on virtually EVERY flight out of or into CMH we had some people from Cincy. If the fares are low enough you'd be amazed at how far some people would drive.
Mr. Mulcher your right I don't know jack about you other than what you post. Just like you don't know jack about what it's really like to work for a Skybus, a VA, or anyone else that you've haven't worked for. If your goal is to gloat and kick around the little guy you know the one who makes less than you you do a great job. Assuming of course you make more, maybe you do, maybe you don't.
You have to think a little more Macro than Springfield itself. There are 5.2 million people that live within 75 miles of the airport. An equal amount as surrounds DFW. That's the argument.
To say that no one would drive from Cincinnati to Springfield is just not accurate, I would say on virtually EVERY flight out of or into CMH we had some people from Cincy. If the fares are low enough you'd be amazed at how far some people would drive.
Mr. Mulcher your right I don't know jack about you other than what you post. Just like you don't know jack about what it's really like to work for a Skybus, a VA, or anyone else that you've haven't worked for. If your goal is to gloat and kick around the little guy you know the one who makes less than you you do a great job. Assuming of course you make more, maybe you do, maybe you don't.
09-02-2008, 07:23 PM
#47
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Posts: 69
They were very short handed. Due to alot of sicks because it was so cold and many were doing forced doubles. Throwing a couple of bags isnt going to kill anyone and it was very much appreciated. Ill even carry a stroller up the stairs. Oh the humanity. See thats called working together. Something all you that work at FAILING airlines dont understand. The attitudes of you pre madona pilots is a joke. Maybe thats what got me hired. I have crossed seat belts and picked up trash. Not because I/we have to,but to help out. Plus I like to stay busy. Not look like I am doing that important time consumming pilot stuff. Again very much appreciated. Plus I have gone to get FA's food. Oh no why would a pilot help a FA? See what kind of lazy self centered individuals you are. What a joke. "You would be lucky to not find yourself face down on the ramp if you did that across town in ORD to United's rampers." I wouldnt expect anything else from aUnited employee
Not to mention the paying passengers. You know the people that pay the bills. They noticed what was going on. You have a duty to those people. Plus we wanted to get going. It was cold but we help. It was a handful of bags, bug it was very appreciated. Do I go down so SWA can do it with less people absolutely not. If they said can you go back up. I would have in a heart beat. But they said thanks for the help. You would have sat in your cozy little airplane sipping a Latte, probably laughing about how cold is was. Pretty sad if you ask me. The point of low manning was proven long before we helped the rampers. So that wasnt the issue anymore. Employee groups need to work hard together and get along. Then play hard.
Not to mention the paying passengers. You know the people that pay the bills. They noticed what was going on. You have a duty to those people. Plus we wanted to get going. It was cold but we help. It was a handful of bags, bug it was very appreciated. Do I go down so SWA can do it with less people absolutely not. If they said can you go back up. I would have in a heart beat. But they said thanks for the help. You would have sat in your cozy little airplane sipping a Latte, probably laughing about how cold is was. Pretty sad if you ask me. The point of low manning was proven long before we helped the rampers. So that wasnt the issue anymore. Employee groups need to work hard together and get along. Then play hard.
Almost sounds like an argument TO work at an airline like VA or Skybus. Which of course was my actual point. Maybe if you spent less time assuming and lumping people into groups and more time getting to know real people you may learn a few things and make yourself a better person.
09-02-2008, 08:21 PM
#48
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Capt
Posts: 611
"Michael McDorman, president of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, confirmed that he had had "very preliminary" discussions about a Weikle-backed airline startup." and..... "Weikle did not return calls seeking comment for this story, but says in his e-mails that he is in conversations with investors. However, none has apparently put up money yet."
Am I missing something here? Why are we talking/writing about this??
Am I missing something here? Why are we talking/writing about this??
09-03-2008, 07:09 AM
#49
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Position: CRJ FO
Posts: 35
Springfield, Ohio- The median income for a household in the city is $32,193, and the median income for a family is $39,890. Males have a median income of $32,027 versus $23,155 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,660. 16.9% of the population and 13.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 23.9% of those under the age of 18 and 9.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
It doesnt sound like many people have the money there to go on vacations to florida and california. The entire state of Ohio is in and has been for some time, a sad economic state. One of the main points of the 2008 elections is just that.
I think the business model can work, just find a better state to focus on than one where the company that employs the most people is walmart. In fact, why doesnt walmart start an airline? They can fly RJ's, market themselves as a bottom feeder to the majors and paint "always for less" on the side of each airplane
It doesnt sound like many people have the money there to go on vacations to florida and california. The entire state of Ohio is in and has been for some time, a sad economic state. One of the main points of the 2008 elections is just that.
I think the business model can work, just find a better state to focus on than one where the company that employs the most people is walmart. In fact, why doesnt walmart start an airline? They can fly RJ's, market themselves as a bottom feeder to the majors and paint "always for less" on the side of each airplane
