N808NW From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 374 posts, RR: 5 Posted (8 years 9 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 2778 times:
NW Has to be one of the most talked about airlines on this site. So I thought why don't you share your ideas for the airline if you could be the CEO of NW.
This is what I'd do,
1. Put the new A330 coach seats in the 744s.
2. Replace the DC-9s with a mix of A319s, A318s, and EMB 170s.
I'll have more ideas later. Now its your turn.
Have fun!
-Jason
All flights have great IFE...get yourself a window seat, thats something no PTV can beat! flew 808 Pacific an Atlanic
ArmitageShanks From UK - England, joined Dec 2003, 3366 posts, RR: 16 Reply 2, posted (8 years 9 months 3 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 2734 times:
I would resign as quickly as possible, because I'm a kid that knows nothing about running an airline.
Luv2fly From United States of America, joined May 2003, 11957 posts, RR: 51 Reply 3, posted (8 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 2725 times:
Well lets see they presently are making money, so I would leave the management that is there in place and let them keep doing what they are doing, as it is working. The DC9's are doing fine and best feature they are paid in FULL! Why buy new planes when the old ones still work.
N808NW From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 374 posts, RR: 5 Reply 4, posted (8 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 2704 times:
Very good Luv2fly. Its great to see your keepin it real.
All flights have great IFE...get yourself a window seat, thats something no PTV can beat! flew 808 Pacific an Atlanic
Tasha From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (8 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 2700 times:
If I were the CEO of NW...
1. I would cancel all remaining contracts with Airbus for new aircraft.
2. I would immediately return the A330's
3. The DC-9 would remain in service INDEFINATELY
4. DC-10s and MD11's would be brought back out the the deserts
5. There would be "classic" B747 service between several points
6. I would immediately try for an even closer coperation with Continental Airlines. Continental is the shiny new airline with their new aircraft, my Rustbelt Northwest is the hand-me-down airline.
7. Second or third hand aircraft would be the norm
8. NW employees would be encourage to "procure" supplies and materials from other airlines.
9. I would give myself a pay freeze, as the CEO makes suffecient anyhow to live on, but I would have my offices in Biloxi where it's cheap (and warm).
N6376m From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (8 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2686 times:
I would declare bankruptcy - discharge a whole bunch of debt, get rid of my pension liability, stick it to the unions, renegotiate every airport lease I have and make A and B aggressively compete for my business.
Oh - wait, I thought the question was what if you were the CEO of Delta
Pizzaandplanes From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (8 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 2686 times:
1) Imeditaly buy 777's
2) When the first dc-9 crashes, (hopefully not at all) buy 717's to replace them
3)Expand internatonial service
4)Food onboard
5)Start service to my home airport ttn or 39n
AGrayson514 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 396 posts, RR: 2 Reply 10, posted (8 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 2646 times:
I would try to break into a few new markets, Perhaps MAN or DUB, try a few Carribean destinations and extend into South America. I would pick up a few 744's from UA, and I would look into the EMB family, as a replacement for some of the DC-9-30's and the few -10's that are left and as expansion to use on more point to point operations.
I would also work to improve the quality of the domestic economy and first class, as that seems to be one of their major failing points. Meanwhile all of the foreward movement and expansion would raise morale which is good for any business especially the customer interactive airline buisisness.
If things go well for a few years (constant profit, that is) I would talk to Boeing about the 747ADV and the 777 family, and with Airbus about the A380 and A340 family and beat them to their floor competeing for my order.
Oh and I think I'd upgrade the facilities at MEM after a few years, assuming that MEM remains profitable.
Tasha From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (8 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 2638 times:
"I would look into the EMB family, as a replacement for some of the DC-9-30's and the few -10's that are left and as expansion to use on more point to point operations."
Much cheaper to keep the DC-9's because they are paid for, and perhaps purchase more DC-9's because they are relatively cheap. Also purchasing DC-10's is great because the existing ones are paid for and the "new" ones will be relatively cheap.
"If things go well for a few years (constant profit, that is) I would talk to Boeing about the 747ADV and the 777 family, and with Airbus about the A380 and A340 family and beat them to their floor competing for my order."
Too expensive - more DC-10's, and classic B747s. Forget the new aircraft, Northwest is Rustbelt cheap.
"Oh and I think I'd upgrade the facilities at MEM after a few years, assuming that MEM remains profitable"
Memphis will remain very profitable, and become more so because it is cheaper than Detroit. Therefore.... lets close NW operations at Detroit and move them to a far more favorable airport: Memphis International. Good weather and local attractions (lots of Casinos in Tunica). The more central location of Memphis is also a plus, as MSP could still be kept as a base of operations.
COAB767 From Guam, joined Nov 2003, 1377 posts, RR: 9 Reply 12, posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 2580 times:
If I was the CEO of NW, I would do the following.
1. Return all Airbus aircraft to Airbus.
2. Order 777s and 767-400s for international routes.
3. Open NW Orient a version like CO Micronesia.
4. have more crew's on board
5. better meal/ife service.
6. more attention to the passengers.
Continental Micronesia: "Fly With The Warmth Of Paradise"
N808NW From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 374 posts, RR: 5 Reply 14, posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 5 days 3 hours ago) and read 2569 times:
Good ideas. I agree the 777 would have been nice for NW.
Tasha; funny, the airline would fail in a few years if you had it like that. The mx costs and delays would destroy the airline.
All flights have great IFE...get yourself a window seat, thats something no PTV can beat! flew 808 Pacific an Atlanic
NWADC9 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 4862 posts, RR: 10 Reply 16, posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 2544 times:
1. Keep the DC-9's and bring back the ones in storage
2. Bring back the MD-80's
3. Put the new A330 coach seats into the 747-400
4. Send some DC-9's to NRT to keep the 757's company
5. BUY OUT US AIRWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Flying an aeroplane with only a single propeller to keep you in the air. Can you imagine that? -Capt. Picard
Jafa From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 782 posts, RR: 4 Reply 18, posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 2517 times:
I would do all the same things that the current CEO is doing. In addition I would try to increase aircraft utilization through dehubbing and, redeye flights for aircraft that would normally be sitting.
Or anything else that doesn't cost money which would improve revenue.
If it was my wish list then I would add lobster thermidor, steaks, PTV's, and super model flight attendants who would be issued a shot (of liquor) before each flight.
NWA From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 1200 posts, RR: 3 Reply 19, posted (8 years 9 months 2 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 2501 times:
I would stop all airbus orders and replace them with cheap DC-9 and MD-80 orders. I would Like to cancle the A330 and replace with the 777, but I would say the A330 is more cost effective. I would buy more 744 for replacement o the 742 once I thought it would make snese to do so...not yet though. I would, when the time comes, phase out the older dc-9's, in 20 years or so, with 717's.
23 victor, turn right heading 210, maintain 3000 till established, cleared ILS runwy 24.
Delta767300ER From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 2559 posts, RR: 14 Reply 20, posted (8 years 9 months 1 week 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 2459 times:
1. Sell all the Airbus aircraft and replace them with 737-700's/737-800/767-300's.
2. Close the MEM hub and move ops to MSY.
3. KEEP THE DC-9's!!!!!
4. Establish a major west coast hub at SFO.
5. Expand routes out of FLL and MCO.
WGW2707 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 1197 posts, RR: 38 Reply 21, posted (8 years 9 months 1 week 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 2445 times:
If I was the CEO of Northwest I'd do the following:
*Determine what was causing Northwest to outperform the other US airlines and make sure whatever it was we continued doing it, and indeed worked on doing more of it.
*Order 5 Airbus A340-500s and 5 A340-600s. The -500s would enable new ultra-long haul service, primarily across the pacific, in competition with similiar services now being launched by Asian airlines. The -600s would enable the conversion of the remaining passenger 747-200s into freighters, and would also enable an expansion in total passenger capacity.
*Launch a premium transcontinental service on a northern axis, from Seattle to New York, Boston and Washington, using either the 757-300 or perhaps the A330.
*Continue to accept delivery of A330s enabling the retirement of the DC-10 fleet from passenger service.
*Expand the Cargo division, by having some of the newer DC-10-30s converted to MD-10 standards and added to it to it and developing new global cargo partnerships.
*Investigate creating a leisure division to take over a few additional DC-10s for charter operations (not sure if this would work but it would be worth looking into).
*Completely redo the Y class cabins. In going with NWA's "Now You're Flying Smart" theme the new Coach class would be branded as SmartCoach. The main feature would be extended legroom, winged headrests and outlets for laptop computers at every seat. Currently to my knowledge NWA provides no domestic IFE, under this plan it would be introduced, but only very slightly, on the premium transcontinental services and perhaps on the 757-300 and maybe the 757-200 or A320 fleets. IFE would consist of drop-down LCD screens in Y class and PTVs up front. IFE would still be minimal, but as my plan would see NWA adding some longer stagelengths to the network and working to develop an improved product, it would be logical to install it on some aircraft. All aircraft would be equipped with outlets at every seat however, that would be the key enhancement for the SmartCoach product.
* Over the long run, 717-200s, Airbus A318s and ERJ170s/190s would be considered as DC-9 replacements. The ultimate decision would be made after a very long period of evaluation, testing and competitive bidding. In addition, a long term replacement of the 747-400 fleet by A380s would be considered. If that plan were to be executed the 744s would over the long run be transferred to the NWA Cargo Division, perhaps replacing the 747-200s or enabling additional growth.
Moving to an all Airbus fleet over the long run could be logical for NWA's instance, replacing the 757-200 with the A321, but only if Airbus can come out with a viable replacement for the 757-300 fleet.
If the A318 was not viable for DC-9 replacement, one radical plan could see pressure put on the pilot's union to extend the scope clause to 120 seats, with all routes currently DC-9 operated being transferred over to Mesaba and Pinnacle, which would operate them with 717-200s or E-170-190s. If that were to occur, it would be timed to coincide with the retirement of many mainline pilots, while remaining mainline pilots left high and dry could be moved over to larger aircraft, facilitating additional growth of medium to long haul services. Also if this plan was to occur NWA would itself become a primarily medium & long haul airline, with the short haul routes operated as NW Airlink by regional airlines with lower cost structures, and consequently SmartCoach would have to be further enhanced in terms of IFE and in-flight service quality.
In general though the main objective would be to strengthen NWA's position by ensuring continued passenger loyalty, by improving the quality of Northwest's product, integrating NWA into the SkyTeam global alliance, and working on in general maintaining NWA's pre-eminance in its key markets such as Detroit, MSP, and the Pacific.
AirTran737 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3644 posts, RR: 12 Reply 23, posted (8 years 9 months 1 week 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 2440 times:
If I were CEO of Northwest I would;
1. Get rid if all of the A319's and A320's, replace them with 737-700's and 737-800's
2. Send the A330's back and replace them with a 7E7, or the 767-400ER
3.Start Northwest Orient for all of my service in and out of Asia. The Northwest 747's would bring the people in and out, but any connecting traffic would be run by Northwest Orient using 757's and 747's where needed.
4. Order the 777-200LR to get into a MSP/DTW to SYD run, as well as other ultra long haul routes.
5. Convert DC-10's to MD-10's and put them into Northwest Cargo, and then dramatically grow the cargo division.
6. In flight entertainment, be it XM radio of Live T.V.
7. Protect the market share, and stop any new carriers that infringe on the markets, for example Indy Air.
Nice Trip Report!!! Great Pics, thanks for posting!!!! B747Forever
AGrayson514 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 396 posts, RR: 2 Reply 24, posted (8 years 9 months 1 week 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 2435 times:
Looks like maybe the real CEO is thinking along the lines of the 7e7.
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