PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2714 posts, RR: 3 Posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 5526 times:
Here's the latest at PIT over the past month or so:
- First and foremost, Allegheny County has a newly elected Chief Executive, Rich Fitzgerald. His position regarding the most important topic at PIT - Marcellus Shale gas well revenue - is this:
"Fitzgerald said that when considering shale drilling on county-owned land, he would first vet contracts through County Council before holding community meetings.
“For example, let’s say it would occur at the airport. We would go to Findlay Township or Moon Township, hold public hearings, so the public would fully understand what the benefits would be, as far as money coming in that we could use to lower property tax"
This is a continuation of the previous Administration's policy which flies in the face of FAA policy which states all revenue generated by the airport must be reinvested in the airport. Hence, no drilling has yet taken place.
Incidentally, Mr. Fitzgerald's predecessor, Dan Onorato, has stated he wanted to increase airline service at PIT in his final year. Since that statement, PIT has seen the announced drastic reduction in service by WN/FL, the pullout of Frontier Airlines, and the elimination of Asia-PIT cargo flights.
Mr. Fitzgerald's opponent, D. Raja, campaigned that he would direct airport gas well revenue toward business parks to be built on airport land, which in turn would generate revenue for the airport in the form of leases.
- The ACAA and the Pennsylvania Air Service Committee continue to push for a regional airline to offer service from PIT to Altoona-Blair County Regional Airport, Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe, Bradford Regional Airport, DuBois Regional Airport, Erie International Airport, Harrisburg International Airport, Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, Lancaster Airport, Lehigh Valley International Airport, University Park Airport, Venango Regional Airport, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, and Williamsport Regional Airport.
They have submitted a request for consultants to bid for a contract to help lure a regional airline for the service.
Perhaps all the airlines should get together and hire a consultant to advise Allegheny County on how to lower costs which would lure new service.
- The ACAA wasted almost $1 million, about 1/60 of the yearly budget, to rebuild the I-376 Business/Ewing road interchange. They installed a 'roundabout'.
The original interchange was only about 10 years old. I've never ever seen a traffic jam on the original ramps; couldn't a simple traffic light have been installed like what was done on the other side?
"The $950,000 Ewing Interchange Traffic Improvement Project was funded by the Allegheny County Airport Authority which receives no local tax dollars."
In other words, the airlines paid for this via the high user fees at PIT.
- As previously mentioned, Frontier Airlines will be pulling out. This will be the third time in about 10 years that the PIT-MKE route will be unserved. But hey, we're an approved gateway to Cuba (which has yet to see one flight).
- Here is a decent article comparing post hub life at PIT vs CVG and STL. PIT seems to be made out in positive light. What's missing in this comparison are RDU, BNA, and MCI - all of which have done much better than PIT post-hub IMHO.
"Neither was JoAnn Jenny, a spokeswoman for the Allegheny County Airport Authority, which operates Pittsburgh International Airport. "We had asked the community to support those Southwest flights, but passengers weren't choosing them," she said. "The company could not afford to keep operating."
And the company asked the ACAA to reduce the costs at the airport which can easily be done if the previous and next Chief Exec would stop interfering with the gas drilling Ms. Jenny.
"Ms. Jenny warned Pittsburgh travelers that another lower-cost route was in danger if traffic didn't pick up. JetBlue offers service twice a day to New York's JFK Airport.
"If those flights don't fill up, the airline will cease offering that service," she said."
Indeed.
A couple bright spots:
- "Company to lease jet-engine test facility at PIT"
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8852 posts, RR: 19 Reply 1, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 5393 times:
Yep... Different people; same old bullshit...
I never fly US unless I absolutely have to, even out of PHL, and that's saying a lot! I think I'd start courting Delta or American first before choosing the likes of US. I guess the chances of anyone jumping on PIT-PHL are slim to none. I think DL will consider LGA flights. Is DL still trying to build a frequent flyers base at PIT. Me thinks its kind of failing.
I'm going to be traveling to LAS next year with my parents, and my mom mentioned that she has FF miles -- on US AIRWAYS... I wasn't exactly thrilled when she told me that... If I wanted to do the FF program, I'd consider someone other than US...
I'm rather sad to see FL merged with WN. They were doing so well at PIT and then WN came in and merged with them/bought them out. I think WN's retreat out of PIT has more to do with PHL and PIT tho. They're pulling out of several cities from PHL, including BOS and MHT. I saw the latest OAG thread; it looks like WN is dropping some 20 to 25 flights off their PHL schedule next year. They're doing to PHL what US did to PIT. THey're in favor of their 180-flight hub at BWI.
I know it's posted above that you can't blame the PIT travelers, but how can you not? They still think US is the only airline flying in and out of there.
Regarding the traveling circus that is the ACAA and Chief Executive, what the county needs is an outsider, since all Allegheny County seems to spawn is inbred stupidity and ignorance; no new ideas; nothing interesting or ouside the box to keep Pittsburgh and the surrounding region moving forward. If anything, it's stuck in reverse when it comes to the politicians out there. Am I just realizing this? Heck no. In fact, I'm noticing it's only going to get worse...
Why in the hell are they wasting their time with those little regional hamlet towns anyway? Other than MDT, screw that! I'd go after BNA, SEA, SAN, and other top PIT destinations no longer served non-stop...
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
kpitrrat From United States of America, joined Oct 2011, 137 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 5373 times:
So..... at this rate there may eventually be 40 flights daily to approximately 10 - 15 cities (JFK, PHL, PHX, ATL, DTW, CLT, BOS, TPA, PHX, LAS know we love our gambling in W. Pa) out of PIT in the next 5 years...
dumbell2424 From United States of America, joined Apr 2009, 795 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 15 hours ago) and read 5359 times:
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 1): I think WN's retreat out of PIT has more to do with PHL and PIT tho.
Indeed.
Quote: US Airways flights to Philadelphia were about three-quarters full, while Southwest planes were barely half-filled. "Southwest was dying on that route," Mr. Boyd said.
Don't blame Pittsburgh passengers for the loss of that airline's service, he said. They were, at least in the short term, making intelligent decisions in picking the dominant carrier. US Airways offered advance seat selection, early boarding and frequent-flier miles through the Star Alliance system, which could be redeemed on a number of major airlines.
"If fares are the same, you'd tend to go with US Airways," he said. "The Southwest product wasn't competitive with business travelers who want to build frequent-flier miles and know where they are sitting."
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3267 posts, RR: 8 Reply 4, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 5246 times:
I'll never know why the ACAA is trying to use a business plan that went the way of the dodo back in 2002! At least with the AA BK filing, there's something brewing on the US Airways front!
flyguy89 From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 1635 posts, RR: 9 Reply 5, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 5220 times:
Quoting PITrules (Thread starter): - Here is a decent article comparing post hub life at PIT vs CVG and STL. PIT seems to be made out in positive light. What's missing in this comparison are RDU, BNA, and MCI - all of which have done much better than PIT post-hub IMHO.
I read an article similar to this a while back comparing PIT and CVG extolling how well PIT had handled their dehubbing and how it could teach CVG a lesson...you have to be kidding me though! God help us if KCAB takes a page out of the playbook of PIT! I have nothing against PIT and I think it is such a shame seeing it decline as much as it is from years of mismanagement, but as you said, look at RDU, STL, BNA, MCI--all former hub airports that have done decently well after being dehubbed and exceptionally well when compared to how PIT has fared. I wish PIT a better future and hope things change there soon, but CVG has way more going for it than PIT, namely that DL is the one that paid for their new terminal, that it's still a hub with great service for a city it's size, and that it's a large cargo hub...why anyone would suggests they should look to PIT as a post-hub model is beyond me.
And then of course you have Boyd putting in his 2 cents marketing his "harsh, tough love" approach calling the KCAB folks delusional, honestly what does he expect them to do? I've spoken with several members of CVG's airport board and all were equally pragmatic in realizing that CVG will never be what it once was, but as of now for a market Cincinnati's size DL still has a very nice operation without any subsidies...it is what it is, KCAB is talking with other airlines and making more gate space available come this Spring, again what more can they do?
point2point From United States of America, joined Mar 2010, 1964 posts, RR: 1 Reply 6, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 5209 times:
Quoting PITrules (Thread starter): Since that statement, PIT has seen the announced drastic reduction in service by WN/FL, the pullout of Frontier Airlines, and the elimination of Asia-PIT cargo flights.
With the BK filing of AA, and the need for AA to rid itself of the gas-guzzling birds, I see that PIT has AA service to JFK via an ER4, to MIA with an ER4, to DFW with an MD80, and to ORD with a combination of ERJs. These birds are precisely what I believe AA wants to first rid itself of.
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3267 posts, RR: 8 Reply 7, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 5167 times:
Quoting point2point (Reply 6): So where is this AA BK going to leave PIT?
Keep in mind, the only reason AA has mainline here is because of the plethory of platinum AAdvantage members. They were complaining heavily about the lack of F in the CR7. I doubt Eagle is going anywhere anytime soon here. They are the only airline flying to DFW and MIA right now, precisely where AA is making the most money. Also, the Maddogs will be replaced by 738s and A319/A320 models down the road, so I doubt the DFW service is getting cut because of A/C problems. All their flights are full, believe me. The Eagle management's biggest problem in hiring people is getting the prospective applicants seats on their ORD flights, very difficult to say the least.
point2point From United States of America, joined Mar 2010, 1964 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 5136 times:
Quoting USPIT10L (Reply 7): the only reason AA has mainline here is because of the plethory of platinum AAdvantage members.
Just curious for asking this, but how is it that AA would have a lot of FF members there in PIT? US I could see, but AA?
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2714 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 5115 times:
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 1): I think WN's retreat out of PIT has more to do with PHL and PIT tho. They're pulling out of several cities from PHL, including BOS and MHT.
I'm not so sure. Yes, they are doing a large pull back from PHL, but remember they are also dropping PIT-MKE and substantially reducing Florida service from PIT. They are not happy with the situation in PIT at all.
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 1): Why in the hell are they wasting their time with those little regional hamlet towns anyway? Other than MDT, screw that! I'd go after BNA, SEA, SAN, and other top PIT destinations no longer served non-stop...
I actually think there is a market for these flights as long as there is interlining with the majors at PIT, especially with the Marcellus Shale boom in many of these smaller cities. Cape Air and Gulfstream both showed interest in this, but at the end of the day it was the same old story - too costly to operate at PIT.
Resumption of SEA and SAN service is many years off.
Quoting flyguy89 (Reply 5):
I read an article similar to this a while back comparing PIT and CVG extolling how well PIT had handled their dehubbing and how it could teach CVG a lesson...you have to be kidding me though! God help us if KCAB takes a page out of the playbook of PIT! I have nothing against PIT and I think it is such a shame seeing it decline as much as it is from years of mismanagement, but as you said, look at RDU, STL, BNA, MCI--all former hub airports that have done decently well after being dehubbed and exceptionally well when compared to how PIT has fared. I wish PIT a better future and hope things change there soon, but CVG has way more going for it than PIT, namely that DL is the one that paid for their new terminal, that it's still a hub with great service for a city it's size, and that it's a large cargo hub...why anyone would suggests they should look to PIT as a post-hub model is beyond me.
I think there are some things in favor of CVG, and some in favor of PIT. Advantages PIT has are less competing airports (CVG has SDF and DAY nearby), a leg up on developing non-aviation revenues, and time. What I mean by "time", is that you can't transition from a hub to non-hub with decent service overnight. PIT has been in the transition for several years now, while CVG is still holding on to the hub even though it now has less total passengers than PIT. If CVG were to be de-hubbed today, by the time they fully transition to a decent non-hub operation, PIT will have its terminal paid off.
CVG has a HUGE advantage with DHL. I don't think most people know how significant they are to CVG. If I were CVG and had to choose between keeping DHL or Delta, I'd pick DHL in a heartbeat.
Like it or not, CVG will need to make some of the changes PIT has made, such as this news just published today:
Quoting point2point (Reply 6): With the BK filing of AA, and the need for AA to rid itself of the gas-guzzling birds, I see that PIT has AA service to JFK via an ER4, to MIA with an ER4, to DFW with an MD80, and to ORD with a combination of ERJs. These birds are precisely what I believe AA wants to first rid itself of.
So where is this AA BK going to leave PIT?
I think it's way too early to see what will happen. If I were to predict, DFW definitely stays with mainline equipment, while AE service is rationalized - perhaps fewer overall flights to ORD but with a mainline frequency; and the elimination of MIA.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8852 posts, RR: 19 Reply 10, posted (1 year 6 months 3 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 5083 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 9): I'm not so sure. Yes, they are doing a large pull back from PHL, but remember they are also dropping PIT-MKE and substantially reducing Florida service from PIT. They are not happy with the situation in PIT at all
I guess it's two things with PIT. 1) the morons who are running it and b) the morons who still think US is the only airline flying out of PIT. Want an airport where US is pretty much the only airline in town, do what US did; go to PHL or CLT then...!
As for MKE service, I never really understood the purpose of that. Not to mention, I never understood why MKE all of a sudden had THREE airlines with some sort of a hub operation there. That was not sustainable at all for a small market.
Heh, I love those articles about how airports like CVG and STL could take a "lesson" from PIT. Yeah. Here's what I have to say about that:
lesson 1: DO NOT do what PIT did! DO NOT DO IT!!!
lesson 2: repeat lesson one repetitively...!
Let's see what genius Penrod has done as leader of the ACAA. He raped the airlines, causing them to trim service, allowed the Asia cargo flights to discontinue, and mishandled funds necessary for paying back the airport debt, NUMEROUS TIMES, just so he could continue his financial pillaging of commercial aviation! Yeah, good fricking job you gas bag!
So yeah, CVG if you want to bury your airport and have what ever service you have left to flee for greener spaces, and then have the federal government come in and FORCE airlines to be raped financially so they can avoid their crowded, yet PROFITABLE markets, then yeah, PIT is your textbook!!!
Quoting PITrules (Reply 9): CVG has a HUGE advantage with DHL. I don't think most people know how significant they are to CVG. If I were CVG and had to choose between keeping DHL or Delta, I'd pick DHL in a heartbeat
Yep, they have that. They tried to get something going with the PIT-Asia flights. I remember how the PG and Trib stated how important it was for these routes to commence for PIT to become an international cargo hub. Yeah, sooo important that they allowed that service to end...
Granted my arguments may be less than rational, but if something pisses me off to a certain point, I have to tell it like it is; within reason of course... I could reeeaally tell it like it is, but some on here would tend to think I'm transitioning to a professional rapper. I just hate the ACAA for their raping and pillaging of Greater Pittsburgh's air travel and the traveling public. I just wish the feds or somebody could come in and penalize them for their actions. It is against federal law mandated by the FAA to be doing what they're doing.
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2714 posts, RR: 3 Reply 11, posted (1 year 6 months 2 weeks 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 4818 times:
"Pittsburgh International spokeswoman JoAnn Jenny said last week that no airline has announced plans to cut service here because of the move away from small jets. In Pittsburgh, airlines use 37-seaters on routes to and from Toronto and Cleveland and 50-seaters to and from Chicago, Detroit, Hartford, Conn., Miami, Milwaukee, New York, Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and St. Louis."
Umm DL's PIT-BOS? Republic's PIT-MKE? I almost feel bad for this woman.
flightsimer From United States of America, joined Aug 2009, 430 posts, RR: 1 Reply 12, posted (1 year 6 months 2 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 4769 times:
I was gonna start this thread a couple of days ago, but forgot...
I was going through some old bins that had stuff from the 90's in it and found the 1992 Airport Directory and surround area's guide. In it, it had the following pages about the "new" airport that was built but had yet to open up yet.
Edit:Sorry for the size. I was affraid to resize them and thought that the site would make them smaller with the ability to then enlarge them.
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3267 posts, RR: 8 Reply 13, posted (1 year 6 months 2 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 4765 times:
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 10): As for MKE service, I never really understood the purpose of that. Not to mention, I never understood why MKE all of a sudden had THREE airlines with some sort of a hub operation there. That was not sustainable at all for a small market.
Don't ask, MKE is a junk-fare-shopper's haven. Now that F9 is trying to actually cut the bleeding, some sanity comes into that market. There's nothing worse than dealing with passengers paying rock-bottom fares. They don't know or care what the rules are when flying, they just want the dirt-cheap seat. There's no pleasing them no matter what you do.
Quoting PITrules (Reply 11): "Pittsburgh International spokeswoman JoAnn Jenny said last week that no airline has announced plans to cut service here because of the move away from small jets. In Pittsburgh, airlines use 37-seaters on routes to and from Toronto and Cleveland and 50-seaters to and from Chicago, Detroit, Hartford, Conn., Miami, Milwaukee, New York, Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and St. Louis."
Umm DL's PIT-BOS? Republic's PIT-MKE? I almost feel bad for this woman.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2714 posts, RR: 3 Reply 14, posted (1 year 6 months 2 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 4740 times:
Flyguy89 From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 1635 posts, RR: 9 Reply 15, posted (1 year 6 months 2 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 4713 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 9): Advantages PIT has are less competing airports (CVG has SDF and DAY nearby)
This is very true, though I've always said this could eventually become an asset to CVG if fares lower significantly, it's central location could easily bleed all of the surrounding airports, we'll see I guess. With NK at LBE though, PIT could have a potential thorn in it's side.
Quoting PITrules (Reply 9): What I mean by "time", is that you can't transition from a hub to non-hub with decent service overnight.
Of course, but what I was trying to say earlier is that because CVG doesn't have this huge debt hanging over it's head like PIT and a thriving cargo operation, it will likely require less transition time than did PIT and might very well fare better as (hopefully) landing fees won't have to be raised to PIT levels.
Quoting PITrules (Reply 9): If I were CVG and had to choose between keeping DHL or Delta, I'd pick DHL in a heartbeat.
Amen! DHL has been a godsend for CVG and an a.net enthusiast delight with all the 747's and DC-8's they bring in...believe me, this is one guy who does very much recognize the importance of DHL's operation.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8852 posts, RR: 19 Reply 16, posted (1 year 6 months 2 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 4660 times:
Quoting Flyguy89 (Reply 15): This is very true, though I've always said this could eventually become an asset to CVG if fares lower significantly, it's central location could easily bleed all of the surrounding airports, we'll see I guess. With NK at LBE though, PIT could have a potential thorn in it's side.
I have thought about that before, but I think LBE might be far enough east that its effects on PIT might be minimal. How much of PIT's local traffic was coming from Greensburg and east? That's pretty much who flies out of LBE, I don't see NK doing anything all that big out of LBE down the road...
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2714 posts, RR: 3 Reply 17, posted (1 year 6 months 2 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 4591 times:
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 16): How much of PIT's local traffic was coming from Greensburg and east? That's pretty much who flies out of LBE, I don't see NK doing anything all that big out of LBE down the road...
I think you're looking at it backwards. Its not "How much of PIT's local traffic was coming from Greensburg and east", but "How much of Greensburg and the eastern suburbs were using PIT?" The answer is 99% because there were no other options other than the 2.5 hour drive to CLE or CAK.
But now there is a second option, at least to FLL and MYR and probably more destinations in the future.
LBE applied for a SCADS grant to help with marketing future destinations to be served "by an existing carrier." That would be Spirit, as they are the only scheduled carrier at LBE.
"Arnold Palmer Regional Airport (Latrobe) seeks $200,000 in funding matched with $413,000 of local support to provide staff and ground support plus marketing aid for added Spirit Airlines services being considered including to Chicago, New York, Boston and Orlando. Spirit which is the airports only current air-carrier has seen success with its initial two routes from the airport with load factors averaging in the 80-90% range while the community has seen an increase of travelers from a wide region. Latrobe envisages serving up to 400,000 annually and is overjoyed and optimistic at prospects of added air service, all without any established revenue guarantees."
LBE was subsequently awarded this grant, and this grant cannot be used for the existing service.
If NK starts these routes, in addition to the existing MYR and FLL, then they are obviously going for the entire Pittsburgh market, not just Greensburg and that area.
Quoting Flyguy89 (Reply 15): With NK at LBE though, PIT could have a potential thorn in it's side.
Agreed; NK actually served PIT back in the day (to ACY), but chose LBE instead for their return to the market.
Flaps From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 1142 posts, RR: 4 Reply 18, posted (1 year 6 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 4441 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 17): Latrobe envisages serving up to 400,000 annually and is overjoyed and optimistic at prospects of added air service, all without any established revenue guarantees."
That 400,000 is hardly an insignificant number. Considering that all of that potential traffic would be siphoned from from PIT then we are looking at a very large thorn in PIT's side. I say all because while some of this is leisure traffic that might have otherwise driven instead of flown, it is still 100% drawn from the PIT catchment area. Hence it still counts as potential lost traffic.
When I lived east of town in the days of the US hub, I often used LBE even though it meant flying right back over my house enroute to my connection at PIT. The free parking, shorter drive and utter convenience of LBE made it well worth my while.. In terms of time saved there wasn't a significant difference. LBE vs PIT usually ran plus or minus 15 minutes on schedule either way. Sometimes LBE was a bit quicker, sometimes PIT. The utter convenience and cost savings of LBE though were more than sufficient to tip the balance in LBE's favor. Service to a couple of key markets like New York, ORD or MCO could be quite successful..
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2714 posts, RR: 3 Reply 19, posted (1 year 6 months 2 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 4237 times:
Quoting Flaps (Reply 18): That 400,000 is hardly an insignificant number. Considering that all of that potential traffic would be siphoned from from PIT then we are looking at a very large thorn in PIT's side. I say all because while some of this is leisure traffic that might have otherwise driven instead of flown, it is still 100% drawn from the PIT catchment area. Hence it still counts as potential lost traffic.
To add some context, 400,000 people is almost 5% of PIT's yearly total, and amounts to the last two years of passenger growth at PIT.
YNGguins From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 474 posts, RR: 1 Reply 20, posted (1 year 6 months 2 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 4184 times:
Albeit small, Allegiant does quite well in Mercer and Lawrence County in PA on their flights out of YNG. Even the immediate counties to the east of Mercer and Lawrence get a nice chunk of traffic to YNG.
Maybe only a few (4-6k) thousand, nothing all that significant.
I am PROUD to live in the greatest country on earth: The United States of America!
NWADC9 From United States of America, joined May 2004, 4862 posts, RR: 10 Reply 21, posted (1 year 6 months 2 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 4168 times:
Quoting PITrules (Thread starter): the most important topic at PIT - Marcellus Shale gas well revenue - is this:
"Fitzgerald said that when considering shale drilling on county-owned land, he would first vet contracts through County Council before holding community meetings.
“For example, let’s say it would occur at the airport. We would go to Findlay Township or Moon Township, hold public hearings, so the public would fully understand what the benefits would be, as far as money coming in that we could use to lower property tax"
This is a continuation of the previous Administration's policy which flies in the face of FAA policy which states all revenue generated by the airport must be reinvested in the airport. Hence, no drilling has yet taken place.
Incidentally, Mr. Fitzgerald's predecessor, Dan Onorato, has stated he wanted to increase airline service at PIT in his final year. Since that statement, PIT has seen the announced drastic reduction in service by WN/FL, the pullout of Frontier Airlines, and the elimination of Asia-PIT cargo flights.
Mr. Fitzgerald's opponent, D. Raja, campaigned that he would direct airport gas well revenue toward business parks to be built on airport land, which in turn would generate revenue for the airport in the form of leases.
Quoting PITrules (Thread starter): - The ACAA and the Pennsylvania Air Service Committee continue to push for a regional airline to offer service from PIT to Altoona-Blair County Regional Airport, Arnold Palmer Regional Airport in Latrobe, Bradford Regional Airport, DuBois Regional Airport, Erie International Airport, Harrisburg International Airport, Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, Lancaster Airport, Lehigh Valley International Airport, University Park Airport, Venango Regional Airport, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, and Williamsport Regional Airport.
They have submitted a request for consultants to bid for a contract to help lure a regional airline for the service.
Perhaps all the airlines should get together and hire a consultant to advise Allegheny County on how to lower costs which would lure new service.
Why is an airport searching for an airline to do flying they want (which pretty much replaces what US Airways Express did) instead of the other way around? I'm surprised they're not wanting flights to Youngstown-Warren and Wheeling-Ohio County while they're at it!
Quoting PITrules (Thread starter): - The ACAA wasted almost $1 million, about 1/60 of the yearly budget, to rebuild the I-376 Business/Ewing road interchange. They installed a 'roundabout'.
The original interchange was only about 10 years old. I've never ever seen a traffic jam on the original ramps; couldn't a simple traffic light have been installed like what was done on the other side?
"The $950,000 Ewing Interchange Traffic Improvement Project was funded by the Allegheny County Airport Authority which receives no local tax dollars."
In other words, the airlines paid for this via the high user fees at PIT.
Oh, don't get me started on that roundabout. STUPIDEST thing ever! There was never a traffic problem, and I can bet the farm there wouldn't have been one in the future without that silly thing.
Quoting PITrules (Reply 17): NK actually served PIT back in the day (to ACY)
When was that? What'd they fly in?
Flying an aeroplane with only a single propeller to keep you in the air. Can you imagine that? -Capt. Picard
ThreeIfByAir From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 513 posts, RR: 0 Reply 23, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 4067 times:
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 1): Other than MDT, screw that! I'd go after BNA, SEA, SAN, and other top PIT destinations no longer served non-stop...
Quoting PITrules (Reply 9): Resumption of SEA and SAN service is many years off.
Just did SEA-MSP-PIT on DL. The E175 on the leg to PIT went out 75/76, and I recognized several other SEA-originating passengers on the flight. The problem with a nonstop is that connecting over MSP, ORD, or DTW is not at all out of the way and I even saw AA offering DFW connections with some pretty low fares.
AS is the best hope for SEA-PIT, but if the route can't fill a daily 738 with mostly SEA-PIT O&D plus the limited connctions AS has over SEA (Hawaii, Alaska, regional markets in the Pacific Northwest), I don't think AS will be interested. PHL has been a persistent rumor but with 2x daily on US, I'm not sure whether PIT (no nonstop competition) or PHL (bigger market) would be relatively more attractive to AS.
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3267 posts, RR: 8 Reply 24, posted (1 year 6 months 1 week 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 4011 times:
Quoting NWADC9 (Reply 21): Why is an airport searching for an airline to do flying they want (which pretty much replaces what US Airways Express did) instead of the other way around? I'm surprised they're not wanting flights to Youngstown-Warren and Wheeling-Ohio County while they're at it!
Don't mention YNG, HLG and LBE, they might add the services to their wish list!
Quoting NWADC9 (Reply 21): When was that? What'd they fly in?
May-July 1998 with D9S. Daily service. They used C52.
It's a Great Day for Hockey!
25 steeler83: According to faremeasure.com (not sure of how reliable this information is), 285 people originate/end their trip between SEA and PIT, which is almost
26 USPIT10L: I don't believe half of what comes out of the Trib's mouth these days. As for PITSEA, no chance. If US had to have massive connecting feed to make PI
27 PITrules: This Pennsylvania Regional plan has gotten some attention in CLE: http://www.cleveland.com/business/in...ittsburgh_airport_says_region.html
28 YNGguins: Note the following: (Continental also added service -- to Green Bay, Wis. And one of its regional partners is expected to start flying to Youngstown w
29 MasseyBrown: How much is PIT willing to put up to subsidize the Pennsylvania Regional Plan? Or aren't they talking?
30 PITrules: I'm not so sure it is PIT alone subsidizing this plan, more like the PA DoT and all the state's commercial airports, which include PIT ... "The Penns
31 flyinryan99: I wonder if you could get an operator to run some King Air 350s with 12 or so seats around and have a couple of multiple stops going to some of the sm
32 steeler83: Not that this is drectly about PIT, but it's something that does, or will, involve it... http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt...ib/news/westmoreland/s
33 MasseyBrown: AMTRAK operates redeyes in both directions.
34 steeler83: Yeah, that's right they do... I think both trains (Capitol Limited) make it in around 12 midnight going in either direction, east toward DC or west t
35 PITrules: Oct traffic down over 3%: http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt...ghtrib/news/breaking/s_772183.html I think this is a very significant quote from the
36 steeler83: What a dips&$t. Didn't the tax payers pay for that billion dollar boondoggle? The way I'm looking at it: if all the money stayed there and actual
37 tooluther: It will be interesting to see what the US schedule PIT-LGA ends up being after all the swaps are said and done. No way it stays at current levels righ
38 steeler83: It will also be interesting to see what the DL JFK flights will be equipped with. Daily frequencies are going from 5 down to 3 effective July. I'm th
39 PITrules: I checked their web site earlier, and as of now they are still at 9 daily flights for the Summer, but I would expect this to change. I also don't exp
40 Flaps: Glad to finally see some competition again on LGA. Might mean I never have to fly US again. I'm particularly thrilled that the service is not on the C
41 PittPanther: Here is a quick question, walking through the terminal today and something I was wondering about. I know they are Express flights, but is there a reas
42 PITrules: Actually they paid nothing. The terminal was paid for with 30 year construction bonds, which in turn are being paid off by the users of the airport (
43 steeler83: This is probably why PIT-BOS was a failure -- it was on a CR2, a not-very-cost-effective piece of equipment on a big business market out of PIT. DL s
44 USPIT10L: What competition? US is swapping with DL! DL flies PITLGA, US pulls out. US has not loaded their DCA flights or LGA reductions yet. Should be done by
45 Flaps: What competition? US is swapping with DL! DL flies PITLGA, US pulls out. US has not loaded their DCA flights or LGA reductions yet. Should be done by
47 steeler83: I looked up DL's website to see what their lineup was going to look like into JFK once the LGA flights start. It looks like the mainline equipment goe
48 PITrules: DL's JFK-PIT 757 went away a little while ago; I'm not sure what was behind that anomaly. Other than that, DL's JFK flights have always been RJs as f
49 Flaps: The PIT-JFK 757 went away with the winter demise of PIT-CDG. That flight was used as bridge to rotate the transatlantic 757's between ATL and JFK..
50 dumbell2424: I thought the 752 did CDG-PIT-JFK-PIT-CDG. edit- looks like Flaps beat me to it [Edited 2011-12-18 20:20:17]
51 PITrules: That makes sense; I knew they were positioning those aircraft to/from ATL, I wasn't aware JFK was in on that as well. Must have been a commuters drea
52 steeler83: Even in the 1990s USAir was running several Fokker F100/F28 equipment along with MD80 equipment between PIT and LGA. I even think they had a 727 in t
53 PITrules: I think the shortest mainline flight was PIT-CAK. Additional notables for mainline were PIT-ERI/ELM/ITH/CRW/PKB
54 steeler83: Insane when you think about it... Really, PIT-CAK was a mainline flight? I think I remember seeing a PIT-ERI flight on the arrivals/departures monito
55 PITrules: Not only that, but CAK was served up to 4x daily on mainline equipment, in addition to a handful of Express flights. The Erie flight was initially a
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