LordMontenegro From United States of America, joined Jul 2008, 32 posts, RR: 0 Posted (4 years 3 months 2 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 1701 times:
Hey Airlines.net!
I just saw a thread about someone who was was asking for help with a thesis, and that finally reminded me to post here to ask for some help and advice on my own project. It's for my Research for Writers class and I may submit it as a project proposal for the Honors program. Here's the basics:
I wanted to research Pittsburgh International's (relatively) recent history, focusing specifically on US Airways downgrading it from a hub to a focus city. I want to examine why, after basically building a new terminal for the airline, US Airways pulled out to Philly, and the changes Pittsburgh underwent through it. Then I want to show the difference in airlines, destinations, prices, traffic, the businesses inside the terminal, and the airport itself's changes that came about their decision to reduce service so much, including their current operations and perhaps plans for the future.
I would also like to set up interviews with people who've worked at PIT before, during, and after the US Air reduction, because one of the things our professor constantly talks about is for us to build good interview skills. Plus, it may give me an excuse to go to the airport, something I'm always happy to have an excuse to do .
If anyone out there can recommend books, articles, or people to me, I'd greatly appreciate it. Like I said, I'm doing my own research as well, but nothing beats first-hand experience and you all probably know better where I could find information than I do!
Thank you in advance, I really appreciate any and all help!
- Matt
P.S.: A while back someone posted a thread that listed the PIT flights at the height of US Air's presence there, and I had it favorited but my hard drive crashed and I lost it. If someone could link me to that, I'd be very grateful for that too!
Tooluther From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 286 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (4 years 3 months 2 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 1632 times:
Let's try and limit this discussion to only one "the Airport Authority Sucks Ass That's why US pulled out". While it may be (at least) partially valid, I don't know how much help it will be to Matt
Wow, looking at that really just sent me into a depression!
Haha, but never the less, a very good view of PIT's past.
That is probably the most honest information on the web about PIT's downfall. Unfortunately, US doesn't provide A/C info in their schedules, but from I remember, the bulk of PIT's capacity was older, inefficient aircraft, like F100s, F28s, 732s, 733s, DC9s, and BAC-111s, all of which have been subsequently retired from USAir/US Airways. PIT was the odd man out in Wolf's plan. Just like at RC, he never gave the full details, just the gist of the plan. The rest was to be deciphered by his successors.
LordMontenegro From United States of America, joined Jul 2008, 32 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (4 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 1501 times:
AeroHero128 From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 28 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (4 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 1450 times:
Wow, looking at that really just sent me into a depression!
Haha, but never the less, a very good view of PIT's past.
Quite. The slow (but VERY steady) drop off from 500 to 100 daily dep's (prolly close to 10 by now, *sigh*) is a real heart-wrencher. Anyway...
I had JUST read a wee bit of Pitt's past with USAir, but I cannot cite the exact source off the top of my head. However, I promise this IS out there, somewhere. Apparently, as was slightly alluded to earlier, PIT's landing/operating costs were notably high, and USA didn't even get any breaks for being the hometown carrier. It doesn't take much math to guess how much money went out the window of an otherwise brilliant 500-departure hub just 'cause of some high rates.
Despite many appeals and complaints from the carrier, PIT more or less told USA to suck it. Vulgarity aside, that's the truth. The debate eventually boiled down to a threat from the airline to transfer all PIT hub ops to PHL, if they saw no discounts in fees. Not so much a threat as an eventuality, as they were seriously losing too much money from this proven, viable hub city. Sure enough, as PIT remained stubborn, USA lopped off much of their hub flights and turned their hub to a focus city. Further flight cuts persisted to the present day, where PIT is little more than any other USA (now AWE) spoke destination.
Like I said, even though I can't cite the exact work that mentioned this, I can almost guarantee its validity. Hope this helps, and G/L with the research.
PITops From United States of America, joined May 2007, 1442 posts, RR: 4 Reply 7, posted (4 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 1443 times:
Quoting AeroHero128 (Reply 6): Quite. The slow (but VERY steady) drop off from 500 to 100 daily dep's (prolly close to 10 by now, *sigh*) is a real heart-wrencher. Anyway...
I had JUST read a wee bit of Pitt's past with USAir, but I cannot cite the exact source off the top of my head. However, I promise this IS out there, somewhere. Apparently, as was slightly alluded to earlier, PIT's landing/operating costs were notably high, and USA didn't even get any breaks for being the hometown carrier. It doesn't take much math to guess how much money went out the window of an otherwise brilliant 500-departure hub just 'cause of some high rates.
Despite many appeals and complaints from the carrier, PIT more or less told USA to suck it. Vulgarity aside, that's the truth. The debate eventually boiled down to a threat from the airline to transfer all PIT hub ops to PHL, if they saw no discounts in fees. Not so much a threat as an eventuality, as they were seriously losing too much money from this proven, viable hub city. Sure enough, as PIT remained stubborn, USA lopped off much of their hub flights and turned their hub to a focus city. Further flight cuts persisted to the present day, where PIT is little more than any other USA (now AWE) spoke destination.
Like I said, even though I can't cite the exact work that mentioned this, I can almost guarantee its validity. Hope this helps, and G/L with the research.
-- Ace
Yeah this is pretty true. Pretty much the reason why FL didn't go forward with their focus city plans and the same reason WN has yet to add more flights. PIT could have about 50 or so WN flights daily right now if the ACAA would've cooperated.
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3266 posts, RR: 8 Reply 9, posted (4 years 3 months 1 week 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 1337 times:
Glad the site helps you out! It was a lot of work but it was DEFINITELY an interesting project!
Greg
As sad as the pulldown has been for us, it's still great to see the actual numbers of daily departures. I only wish US would list their aircraft types with their skeds, because that does tell part of PIT's story, IMO. If there's anything I've learned about the business because of these cutbacks, it is this, airline management is very, very fickle. One day, they love the facility and want to grow it, the next day it costs too much and they have to close it.
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