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I'm not sure what Mr. Boyd is smoking; PIT and LBE are in the same MSA and LBE very much draws from all of it and beyond. Traffic at PIT is decreasing while its increasing at LBE.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (8 months 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 18574 times:
Quoting pgh234 (Reply 3): Natural gas prices are at record lows...I'd certainly sit on this for a while.
At first I thought the same. This is also the reason no one bid last time. When gas prices subsequently came back up Allegheny Co politics interfered as the County Exec was determined to funnel that revenue away from the airport, which of course is not allowed.
However, the royalties to be paid to the ACAA in this latest bid are on a percentage basis (18%), so it might not hurt to get a bid out to see if anyone bites. If gas prices come back up so will revenue. http://flypittsburgh.com/UserFiles/File/pdf/bus_ops/Gas_Lease_RFB.pdf
This is not my area of expertise, so I really don't know if 18% is considered lucrative or not in comparison to similar deals.
I think the timing of this is more of a desperation move, as the ACAA knows their fees are not competitive and they need to come down. They are feeling the heat from LBE (see previous post), and possible daily service at YNG. Then there is the matter of OKC-CLE service on United. Some speculate that flight is to service the local energy sector (which Pittsburgh is in the center of). Personally I think Cleveland is removed from the energy sector and this is more of a matter of CLE simply being a hub for onward connections, including shale centers such as PIT, DUJ, FKN, BDF, etc
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 5, posted (8 months 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 18482 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 2): I'm not sure what Mr. Boyd is smoking; PIT and LBE are in the same MSA and LBE very much draws from all of it and beyond. Traffic at PIT is decreasing while its increasing at LBE
The article went on to state that even though they are serving the same catchment, they're serving two different types of fliers. LBE targets mainly lesiure travelers while PIT handles mostly business travelers...
Still, they flying public is the flying pubic, and there is some degree of passenger siphoning taking place here considering the limited number of travelers within the greater PIT/LBE catchment...
Still, it's pretty cool to see PIttsburgh with two commercial airports serving it...
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, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (8 months 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 18447 times:
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 5):
The article went on to state that even though they are serving the same catchment, they're serving two different types of fliers. LBE targets mainly lesiure travelers while PIT handles mostly business travelers...
I read the article. PIT very much serves leisure travelers. In fact, in 2010 MCO was PIT's largest O&D market; TPA and LAS were in the top 5.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 7, posted (8 months 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 18396 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 6): I read the article. PIT very much serves leisure travelers. In fact, in 2010 MCO was PIT's largest O&D market; TPA and LAS were in the top 5.
Oh, don't get me wrong. I know PIT serves leisure travelers. I'm saying that PIT serves more business travelers than LBE does. How far up on the list are Philadelphia, Atlanta, New York, and Chicago for PIT?
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
dumbell2424 From United States of America, joined Apr 2009, 791 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (7 months 4 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 18190 times:
kpitrrat From United States of America, joined Oct 2011, 133 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (7 months 3 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 17787 times:
Good for whoever turned the individual in question in, very responsible and proactive. Even though that airport is pretty much dead it still deserves the same amount of diligence as other, more busy airports.
slcdeltarumd11 From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 2452 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (7 months 3 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 17752 times:
Passenger wise I am guessing no wide bodies but who regularly flies 757s daily into pit? us?
This story brought back memories... I remember when I worked for AE years ago, we were hanging out in the breakroom below Concourse D and a woman we worked with was flying one of our flights. She was hanging out with all of us, but prior to the flight boarding, they made her take her bag, ride back to the main terminal and go through security like everyone else.
The whole "Security" that the TSA provides is a joke and laughable, but that is another story for another thread. If there is one thing that makes me mad, it's watching a TSA employee trying to flex their muscles and making some poor innocent travelers life hell. They feel that they are high and mighty with their stupid blue shirts and fake badges, but really, they have one of the most pitiful and dispised jobs ever. ha. i wish TSA people would grow up and get real jobs.
NOTE: On a recent flight, i had a new big bottle of Cologne, and a tiny tiny bottle of Listerine (with the plastic wrap still arond the top un-oppened). The TSA jerk said "oh sir, you can't bring this on the flight", and i thought they were referring to the cologne, which i had just shelled out $60 for. Instead, they meant the tiny bottle of unopened listerine.... I was puzzled... I asked how i was allowed to bring a big spray bottle of cologne on the flight, yet, a sealed miniature bottle of mouth wash was not allowed??? Honestly, what could someone do more damage with on a flight, a bottle of cologne you could use as a form of mace to spray at someone, or a sealed bottle of mouth wash? Anyways, that's my little rant about PIT TSA. Any chance we can expect privatized security again in the future?
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 17, posted (7 months 3 weeks 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 17565 times:
kkephart13 From United States of America, joined Jun 2012, 76 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (7 months 3 weeks 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 17526 times:
DL is starting Daily A319 service to LGA starting NOV 5th.
EVERYTHING i type on here, is the opinion of ME and not of any airline/company.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 19, posted (7 months 3 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 17439 times:
Quoting kkephart13 (Reply 18): DL is starting Daily A319 service to LGA starting NOV 5th.
Nice upgrade, but this seems only to be less than daily service for a few weeks centered around the holidays.
"Donald Rossi, airport authority chairman, reiterated the agency’s plans to build a new terminal and a parallel runway as part of an airport expansion. Rossi did not offer a timetable for the project, but the authority board this summer discussed borrowing as much as $20 million for the project." http://triblive.com/news/westmorelan...o-authority-business#axzz27gQoMFTy
I knew about desires for a new terminal, but a parallel runway?! Getting ahead of themselves at LBE.
Flaps From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 1115 posts, RR: 4 Reply 20, posted (7 months 3 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 17426 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 19): Getting ahead of themselves at LBE.
I'll say. LBE is certainly not in need of another runway. The terminal on the other hand is definitely needed at the present. Still however that is a big commitment for a small airport to one carrier. Better keep it very simple and flexible in design so that it can be used for other purposes if/when NK loses interest.
flyinryan99 From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 1919 posts, RR: 11 Reply 21, posted (7 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 17369 times:
A 20 year celebration will be held in the next week or so. I still remember my first time through this back in 1995...was 13 going out to DEN. Still wish I had access to connect through that facility.
Quote: PITTSBURGH, Sept. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 1, the Allegheny County Airport Authority will celebrate 20 years of the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) in its current facility and share the vision for the future in attracting more passengers, flights and economic development to the southwestern Pennsylvania region. A news conference will be held Monday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. at the Ticketing Level Landside Terminal. The Airport will also host Family Fun Day, a public celebration on Saturday, Oct. 6 at Pittsburgh International Airport from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., which includes guided tours to the airside terminal and AIRMALL. Event parking will be free.
Since its opening in October 1992, the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) has been recognized as a world-class, technologically advanced facility and transportation system. PIT services more than 8 million travelers each year and remains among the top airports in the United States and world based on customer satisfaction.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 22, posted (7 months 3 weeks 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 17368 times:
Quoting Cush (Reply 15): The whole "Security" that the TSA provides is a joke and laughable, but that is another story for another thread. If there is one thing that makes me mad, it's watching a TSA employee trying to flex their muscles and making some poor innocent travelers life hell.
Yeah, like my wife's and mine last year flying back from SEA. If you want the whole story I can send you a PM rather than post it here...
Quoting N670UW (Reply 16): No scheduled widebodies. 757's from US Airways (to PHL) and Delta (ATL and CDG). United sends one in every now and then.
Doesn't (or didn't) DL send a 757 to JFK?
Quoting PITrules (Reply 19): Quoting kkephart13 (Reply 18):DL is starting Daily A319 service to LGA starting NOV 5th.
Nice upgrade, but this seems only to be less than daily service for a few weeks centered around the holidays.
Still, it's a nice upgrade even if it's for a couple of days out of the week.
Quoting Flaps (Reply 20): Quoting PITrules (Reply 19):Getting ahead of themselves at LBE.
I'll say. LBE is certainly not in need of another runway. The terminal on the other hand is definitely needed at the present. Still however that is a big commitment for a small airport to one carrier. Better keep it very simple and flexible in design so that it can be used for other purposes if/when NK loses interest.
I've kinda been looking at the air field around ABE to see what they would do with a second runway should a need for it arise. If they're considering it now, I think they're jumping the gun. Yes, they're already handling way more people than they've ever had, but I still don't think it's enough to warant another runway. A bigger terminal, yes, perhaps, but not an additional runway. They need to build things as they're needed instead and not all at once...
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
flyinryan99 From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 1919 posts, RR: 11 Reply 23, posted (7 months 3 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 17348 times:
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 22): I've kinda been looking at the air field around ABE to see what they would do with a second runway should a need for it arise. If they're considering it now, I think they're jumping the gun. Yes, they're already handling way more people than they've ever had, but I still don't think it's enough to warant another runway. A bigger terminal, yes, perhaps, but not an additional runway. They need to build things as they're needed instead and not all at once...
What I think they really need is radar at the tower. I've flown numerous times into LBE and either had to slow up or hold until an aircraft has landed before I can shoot an approach in IFR conditions.
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3265 posts, RR: 8 Reply 25, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 17441 times:
Quoting Cush (Reply 15): The whole "Security" that the TSA provides is a joke and laughable, but that is another story for another thread. If there is one thing that makes me mad, it's watching a TSA employee trying to flex their muscles and making some poor innocent travelers life hell. They feel that they are high and mighty with their stupid blue shirts and fake badges, but really, they have one of the most pitiful and dispised jobs ever. ha. i wish TSA people would grow up and get real jobs.
I agree wholehearted, and remember, they don't just pick on passengers, they can treat the employees like crap too. They gave a new-hire of ours crap for trying to go through security with a company ID as photo ID--that's allowed! The worst part about it was that we'd seen this lady for about four or five weeks prior and never gave us any grief whatsoever. One new-hire comes by and she becomes Gestapo, I don't get it--I don't think I ever will.
N670UW From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 1595 posts, RR: 8 Reply 26, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 17417 times:
Quoting kkephart13 (Reply 24): Yes they did, last year. It went CDG-PIT-JFK if i remember correctly.
They did a few days a week this summer too. I flew it JFK-PIT in June on the way back from MCO. Nice airplane. It continued onto ATL though, so I'm not sure of the purpose of that routing. I haven't seen it in the schedule for a while though.
kkephart13 From United States of America, joined Jun 2012, 76 posts, RR: 0 Reply 27, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 17622 times:
Quoting USPIT10L (Reply 25): Quoting Cush (Reply 15):
The whole "Security" that the TSA provides is a joke and laughable, but that is another story for another thread. If there is one thing that makes me mad, it's watching a TSA employee trying to flex their muscles and making some poor innocent travelers life hell. They feel that they are high and mighty with their stupid blue shirts and fake badges, but really, they have one of the most pitiful and dispised jobs ever. ha. i wish TSA people would grow up and get real jobs.
I agree wholehearted, and remember, they don't just pick on passengers, they can treat the employees like crap too. They gave a new-hire of ours crap for trying to go through security with a company ID as photo ID--that's allowed! The worst part about it was that we'd seen this lady for about four or five weeks prior and never gave us any grief whatsoever. One new-hire comes by and she becomes Gestapo, I don't get it--I don't think I ever will.
Im so proud of where our taxpaying money is going!! (i surely hope you all sensed that sarcasm...)
Quoting N670UW (Reply 26): They did a few days a week this summer too. I flew it JFK-PIT in June on the way back from MCO. Nice airplane. It continued onto ATL though, so I'm not sure of the purpose of that routing. I haven't seen it in the schedule for a while though.
If i remember correctly too on this, When the Aircraft arrived from CDG, it turned to JFK. Right at the next gate was another 757 doing a turn to ATL. It was cool as hell to see 2 DL 757's.
EVERYTHING i type on here, is the opinion of ME and not of any airline/company.
kubus From Poland, joined Dec 2005, 172 posts, RR: 2 Reply 28, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 17572 times:
Quoting kkephart13 (Reply 18): DL is starting Daily A319 service to LGA starting NOV 5th.
It also makes the last departure at 7p instead of 7:45p with block time at over 2 hrs. A little insane. Don't like this change at all. Going back to flying on US.
Come to think of it, US used to run 321s on last flight out of LGA with occasional 734.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 29, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 17541 times:
Somewhat off topic, but I had a chance to fly on a 753, but the assholes at the TSA ruined that for me by a mere 2 minutes! Yep, that was last year flying out of Seattle...
Quoting kkephart13 (Reply 27): Im so proud of where our taxpaying money is going!! (i surely hope you all sensed that sarcasm...)
You were sarcastic? Really? Gee wiz...
Quoting kkephart13 (Reply 27): If i remember correctly too on this, When the Aircraft arrived from CDG, it turned to JFK. Right at the next gate was another 757 doing a turn to ATL. It was cool as hell to see 2 DL 757's.
I like seeing any airline's 757 or larger aircraft there. Heh, back in the days of the US hub, numerous 757s (as in more than two at a time) parked down the A and B concourses were not uncommon...
On the subject of LBE, I am curious as to what their terminal expansion will look like, and where exactly the Laurel Valley Expressway will intersect with the PA Turnpike.
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
Flaps From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 1115 posts, RR: 4 Reply 30, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 17476 times:
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 29): On the subject of LBE, I am curious as to what their terminal expansion will look like, and where exactly the Laurel Valley Expressway will intersect with the PA Turnpike.
I believe that the intersection with the Turnpike would be in the vicinity of Mount Pleasant, most likely on the New Stanton side, somewhere around the Chrysler/VW/Sony/Whatever it's called now facility.
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 29): I like seeing any airline's 757 or larger aircraft there. Heh, back in the days of the US hub, numerous 757s (as in more than two at a time) parked down the A and B concourses were not uncommon...
I got lucky a couple of times this summer and caught four 757's (2 DL, UA, US) on the ground at the same time.
pliersinsight From United States of America, joined May 2008, 446 posts, RR: 0 Reply 31, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 17471 times:
With all the talk of the old days, I thought I was seeing things the other day from the Sam's club parking lot when I saw simultaneous approaches taking place......
MasseyBrown From United States of America, joined Dec 2002, 4723 posts, RR: 7 Reply 32, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 17472 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 4): Then there is the matter of OKC-CLE service on United. Some speculate that flight is to service the local energy sector (which Pittsburgh is in the center of). Personally I think Cleveland is removed from the energy sector and this is more of a matter of CLE simply being a hub for onward connections, including shale centers such as PIT, DUJ, FKN, BDF, etc
Chesapeake Energy, headquartered in OKC, has a regional exploration office in Uniontown, OH - spitting distance from CAK airport and about 50 miles from CLE. They don't generate enough traffic (yet?) to demand a CAK-OKC flight, but CLE is otherwise the closest.
Chesapeake is probably a big enough corporate contract that they can demand and get the flight. Prior to merger associated CO cuts, CLE-OKC was twice daily.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 33, posted (7 months 3 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 17258 times:
Where to begin on this nonsense?
""It makes my stomach grind," said Tasso Katselas, the Pittsburgh architect who designed the complex. "I try to fly at peak hours so that it appears to be busy."
Mr Katselas designed a building based on concrete structure, while the world's airport design community moved to steel and glass structure. CVG T3, Munich, and several others opened during the same period and still look very up to date today, while the PIT baggage claim looks like a 20 year old concrete bomb shelter. I'm not sure why Mr. Katselas has a meaningful opinion on the matter? He did design a bus shelter locally, but other than that he keeps claiming to this fame.
"It's easy to forgive the 1993 master plan that calculated 40.8 million travelers by 2013, given that it would have taken a biblical prophet to predict the kind of upheaval in the airline industry that has left the midfield terminal a shell of its former self."
A biblical prophet's upheaval left midfield a shell of its former self? Or was it that this is Pittsburgh, a market which does not sustain the level of service seen in SFO, MIA, EWR, etc. C'mon Mr. Belko, really?
"A new concessions concept, called the Airmall, also took off, with a blend of national and regional retailers that were required to charge the same prices for merchandise and food as they did at their off-airport locations."
The term "Airmall" might have been coined, but PIT is hardly the first shopping plaza in an airport. ZRH, AMS, SIN, etc were well before.
"Mr. Katselas remains angered that federal and local politicians didn't secure guarantees from the airline to keep its hub in Pittsburgh in exchange for the billions of dollars in aid the airline received after the Sept. 11 attacks.
"Quite frankly, they're the ones responsible for what we have now," he said."
Perhaps Mr Katselas can attempt to correlate the 9/11 attacks on the United States with why PIT should remain a US Airways hub today?
"With the congestion on the East Coast and at other major hubs, Mr. Katselas believes the county also should be pitching the fuel savings airlines can achieve operating out of Pittsburgh. One thing that sold US Airways on the midfield terminal was a study that showed the airline could save up to $12 million a year in fuel costs because of the X-shaped terminal design and its location in the middle of the airfield.
"It's a matter of realizing how economical it would be for them to operate here. They have to be shown facts and numbers," Mr. Katselas said."
Except that after midfield opened, Rwy 32 was still preferred for landing, which actually increased taxi burn, and 28L is still preferred for T/O (along with 28R), which also increases taxi burn in comparison to the old terminal.
Nowhere in the article is mention that it is plain expensive to operate at PIT in relation to similar markets.
tarmacphotos From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 309 posts, RR: 2 Reply 34, posted (7 months 3 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 16992 times:
Pittsburgh airport marks 20th anniversary with Paris flights:
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 35, posted (7 months 3 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 17000 times:
In addition to the expanded CDG flights on Delta, Republic is about to double its workforce at PIT. They plan to hire 200 workers to service more of their aircraft there, which will bring their total workforce to 500. That's according to the Tribune Review:
Quote: Meanwhile, Republic Airways Holdings plans to hire nearly 200 maintenance workers at Pittsburgh International in early 2013, said Bradley Penrod, executive director of the Allegheny County Airport Authority.
Republic, which operates Frontier Airlines, has about 300 workers at Pittsburgh International now. With the additional personnel, Republic plans to service more of its fleet here.
quote directly from the article...
edit: spelling error (expanded CDL flights? Sorry, it's been a long day for me...)
[Edited 2012-10-01 13:08:34]
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, 133 posts, RR: 0 Reply 36, posted (7 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 16755 times:
From what I have observed DGS operates the inbound F9 flight from PUJ. Not sure if there are any other F9 flights out of there but I havent seen many of these supposed 300 republic workers already at PIT. Where are they?
Flaps From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 1115 posts, RR: 4 Reply 37, posted (7 months 2 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 16576 times:
Republic operates out of the old TWA hangers next to the Heinz hanger. On another note, does anyone know if a timetable exists for WN/FL and UA to con
solidate operations?
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 38, posted (7 months 2 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 16234 times:
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 29):
On the subject of LBE, I am curious as to what their terminal expansion will look like, and where exactly the Laurel Valley Expressway will intersect with the PA Turnpike.
Here are a few more details about both the terminal and Laurel Valley Connector, which seems more likely to be an upgrade to existing roads rather than a new expressway:
""We're going to have about 300,000 people a year going to the airport next year with the expansion of Spirit Airlines flights to Dallas," Mr. Courtney said. Spirit currently flies to Myrtle Beach, S.C., and to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, and the number of passengers has steadily increased in the past two years.
"The authority wants to expand and build a new terminal with two new gates, and bring the tower into the new building," he said. It is applying for a $20 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to do that.
Personally, I think a slight increase to the gate area and a second jetway to the existing terminal is more than enough. $20 million for what amounts to one more gate and a new tower is nonsense. OTOH, this would be in the form of a federal grant. If LBE doesn't get it, someone else will. LBE has been masterful over the decades at attaining grant money.
Speaking of 757s at PIT, United is now scheduling the occasional 757 on IAH-PIT. But what I find more remarkable is the number of 737-900s now on the route, which essentially have the same capacity. For example, Oct 19 shows 1 757 in addition to 3 737-900s, and a 738. Some days are all 739s. This is obviously the energy sector 'fueling' this. Only a few years ago PIT-IAH was 3 daily ERJs but is now 5 mainline, most of which are 739s.
boeingkid From United States of America, joined May 2009, 101 posts, RR: 0 Reply 39, posted (7 months 2 weeks 2 days 18 hours ago) and read 16159 times:
threeifbyair From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 509 posts, RR: 0 Reply 40, posted (7 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 16104 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 38): Speaking of 757s at PIT, United is now scheduling the occasional 757 on IAH-PIT. But what I find more remarkable is the number of 737-900s now on the route, which essentially have the same capacity. For example, Oct 19 shows 1 757 in addition to 3 737-900s, and a 738. Some days are all 739s. This is obviously the energy sector 'fueling' this. Only a few years ago PIT-IAH was 3 daily ERJs but is now 5 mainline, most of which are 739s.
Impressive growth. That probably explains why I see so many PIT-IAH-SEA connections available on UA, despite the terrible routing. IAH unfortunately isn't an efficient connection point for most US destinations ex-PIT.
UA seems to be providing a lot of westbound capacity into PIT, though, vs. DL. Fares are commensurately lower as well. I'm still hoping for AS, though, as I'm making the trek to SEA a lot now.
Kind of funny the photo of the model display of aircraft to come through PIT - half of those were either single charters or diversions (UA 744, CO 772 & 764). I don't remember a Concorde flight in the last 20 years either, although it was used to launch BA service in 1985.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 43, posted (7 months 2 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 15918 times:
.. And 2002:
"Pittsburgh Post-Gazette : NO HEADLINE
$2.95 - "Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Feb 24, 2002
The Concorde is coming to Pittsburgh on May 14, as part of a unique 10-night trip organized by Montclair Travel of Saint Louis. Passengers will fly directly from ... . " http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/...ort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM
After all that, this one says Concorde only made the one visit in 1985:
I dunno, its a mystery. I'd think there would be more pics of this if all these flights did indeed happen but the only one I could find is the one linked above for the BA inauguration.
kpitrrat From United States of America, joined Oct 2011, 133 posts, RR: 0 Reply 44, posted (7 months 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 15272 times:
I apologize for asking this a week after it was in PIT but I had a photo I had taken with my phone but unfortunately it keeps appearing sideways when I try to upload it so I figured it would be better to not post it so people are not looking at the image and get a kink in their neck.
As to what I am referring...Last Sat (10/13) a UA 763 (N661UA, still in Tulip livery) landed at PIT after being diverted on its original route IAD-ORD. Looking at the flight path it appeared the ac back-tracked somewhat to come back to PIT.
It stayed overnight at C61 and departed on Sun (10/14) for ORD.
2 Questions: 1) Was wondering if anyone could give some insight on why it diverted to PIT and stayed overnight.
2) After the ac left the gate it taxied over to PIT's cargo area and parked behind the UPS aircraft. There they removed the baggage cans from under the plane and it departed shortly thereafter. Why is this?
From my vantage point upon departure it appeared to me that the plane was empty (no pax or baggage). I say this because it was up in the air way before I am used to seeing planes rotate on 28R.
Also the cans that were removed from the plane were loaded into a semi truck and sent who knows where on Monday.
Just my curiosity getting the best of me...Thanks!
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3265 posts, RR: 8 Reply 45, posted (7 months 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 15139 times:
Quoting kpitrrat (Reply 44): 2 Questions: 1) Was wondering if anyone could give some insight on why it diverted to PIT and stayed overnight.
There was a medical situation onboard. All the pax were deplaned and rebooked. Major pain in the arse. Fortunately, working the Express side means I didn't have to deal with it.
On a further note, the ExpressJet/United Express station closed last Monday. Essentially the last vestige of Continental Airlines in Pittsburgh closed with it. 25 years of dedicated service and great times. Easily the saddest day of my airline career. I am now working for American Eagle working the United ticket counter. At least I got full-time, now to find out when my days off are!
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 47, posted (7 months 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 14927 times:
Quoting kkephart13 (Reply 46): WN is starting PIT-HOU on 4-14. and LAS is going to 2x daily.
HOU is both predicted and welcome. Competition to Houston is very welcome. The amount of energy traffic from there was just discussed in this thread, and with lower fares hopefully the market will be stimulated even more. Many of the Marcellus and Utica Shale workers still drive up from Texas - hopefully this will convince some to fly.
What I find really interesting is HOU (along with the short lived DL SLC flight) will be a service which Pittsburgh never had before even in the peak hub days.
LAS actually is already served 2x daily; IIRC they had 3x daily at one point.
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3265 posts, RR: 8 Reply 48, posted (7 months 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 14916 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 47): What I find really interesting is HOU (along with the short lived DL SLC flight) will be a service which Pittsburgh never had before even in the peak hub days.
Not Hobby, of course. IAH has been served since about 1980, IIRC. About time WN started this, even though it gives UA some competition.
tooluther From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 285 posts, RR: 1 Reply 50, posted (7 months 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 14861 times:
It will be interesting to see what UA's response is on PIT-IAH. It is not a cheap route to fly right now, but IIRC they have added lots of new capacity since the merger??? So they must be making money there.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 51, posted (7 months 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 14798 times:
Quoting tooluther (Reply 50): It will be interesting to see what UA's response is on PIT-IAH. It is not a cheap route to fly right now, but IIRC they have added lots of new capacity since the merger??? So they must be making money there.
Yeah, what do they have between the two now, a mix of 738, 739 and a 757 now at times?
Nice to see WN adding yet another destination. How many times daily will they serve?
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
Cush From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 197 posts, RR: 0 Reply 53, posted (6 months 3 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 14414 times:
Another thread had this link posted, so I wanted to repost. Look at all the USAirways aircraft in Concourse B today... Imagine seeing the same US presence today. *sigh* How i wish =)
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 54, posted (6 months 3 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 14164 times:
Yep, that was nice to see all those US birds if even for just a brief time. I'm sure they're all back flying now that PHL is open again. Does US still have a presence at LGA? That airport along with JFK and EWR are all shut down until further notice. Major flooding taking place at all three...
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, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 55, posted (6 months 3 weeks 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 14035 times:
Amongst all the AWE ferry flights is this delivery flight from Hamburg, kind of unique because it stopped in Goose Bay instead of the usual KEF or BGR. http://flightaware.com/live/flight/AWE9244
flightsimer From United States of America, joined Aug 2009, 409 posts, RR: 1 Reply 56, posted (6 months 3 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 13937 times:
Anyone know what these two flights were about? I can't say we have ever previously had these flights come here.
I was just thinking the other day about it would cool to see a caravan come into here and then of course. It does when I'm not at the airport.
Now I have been to the airport twice since Saturday and didn't notice it sitting on the ramp either time, so I'm thinking it has not been sitting here all this time.
CKB now has a 7000' runway, and now handles most if not all WVU related sports charters.
I few years ago I posted a number of archived news articles covering the air service and development of PIT over the decades, but was unable to post anything regarding the opening of the midfield terminal because of pay walls. However, I just found this edition of the Beaver County Times with a special 48 page section dedicated to the new terminal opening.
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3265 posts, RR: 8 Reply 58, posted (6 months 2 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 13588 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 57): However, I just found this edition of the Beaver County Times with a special 48 page section dedicated to the new terminal opening.
Had that in my collection for ages, musta got thrown out about a decade ago, LOL. Great photo archives in there! Remember, when the old terminal closed and the new one opened, the Press and PG were still on strike, the Beaver County Times was the only newspaper that did a major story on it!
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 59, posted (6 months 2 weeks 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 13495 times:
Quoting USPIT10L (Reply 58): Had that in my collection for ages, musta got thrown out about a decade ago, LOL. Great photo archives in there! Remember, when the old terminal closed and the new one opened, the Press and PG were still on strike, the Beaver County Times was the only newspaper that did a major story on it!
That explains the lack of coverage from the P-G then. I still have the Beaver County Times issue linked above, as well as a commemorative magazine from the old Allegheny Co Dept of Aviation and a bunch of other stuff which I'll get around to scanning and uploading
dumbell2424 From United States of America, joined Apr 2009, 791 posts, RR: 2 Reply 60, posted (6 months 2 weeks 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 13334 times:
Quoting flightsimer (Reply 56):
Anyone know what these two flights were about? I can't say we have ever previously had these flights come here.
I was just thinking the other day about it would cool to see a caravan come into here and then of course. It does when I'm not at the airport.
Now I have been to the airport twice since Saturday and didn't notice it sitting on the ramp either time, so I'm thinking it has not been sitting here all this time.
Wiggins is a FedEx operator. They park on the cargo ramp, usually right up against the fence on 376 Business Loop. They typically fly UNV-PIT three times a day.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 61, posted (6 months 2 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 13321 times:
flightsimer From United States of America, joined Aug 2009, 409 posts, RR: 1 Reply 62, posted (6 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 13320 times:
Correct, that is the first time I have ever heard of them coming here.
Supposedly, on Saturday it taxied to Prospect Aviation (the other fbo on field) and parked but I can't think of anything Wiggins would need them for that they couldn't get done down at pit.
Does anyone know if Wiggins use special flight numbers for MX or charter flights?
N670UW From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 1595 posts, RR: 8 Reply 63, posted (6 months 2 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 13330 times:
The aircraft was parked in a hangar during its stay at BVI. Potentially to keep the aircraft out of the elements from Hurricane Sandy. The aircraft did not leave between its inbound and outbound flights.
flightsimer From United States of America, joined Aug 2009, 409 posts, RR: 1 Reply 64, posted (6 months 2 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 13319 times:
Ok, that explains why I never saw it while I was there. Prospect had one hell of a full hangar then... Lear 31, king air 200, two conquest II's, a Corvallis, a 414 and 421 plus the caravan.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 65, posted (6 months 2 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 13318 times:
"Solobay: Commission close to announcing funding for beltway corridor
11/4/2012 5:43 AM
A state lawmaker claims the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is close to announcing a funding source to begin construction of a long-stalled Southern Beltway toll road corridor linking Southpointe to Pittsburgh International Airport. State Sen. Tim Solobay said his conversations with Gov. Tom Corbett and Turnpike Commission officials indicate a ground-breaking for the road could be announced before the end of the year or in early 2013, bringing to life a transportation project many believed would never come to fruition"
This would be huge if it gets completed, even if its only to I-79 and Southpointe.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 66, posted (6 months 2 weeks 2 days ago) and read 13329 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 65): This would be huge if it gets completed, even if its only to I-79 and Southpointe.
It would be huge. You'd have (PA) 576 link two major interstate highways in the region with the completion of this link. Volume should pick up considerably once it's opened...
Regarding the eastern/northern end of this beltway/highway system, I think they should just axe the segment leading to the City of Pittsburgh and just go with the segment to I-376 in Monroeville. There is a lot of public opposition to this anyway in addition to the increased costs. I would like to see some road be built between Rankin and Hazelwood tho, but I envision a boulevard or landscaped parkway rather than a limited-access freeway...
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, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 67, posted (6 months 2 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 13310 times:
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 66):
Regarding the eastern/northern end of this beltway/highway system, I think they should just axe the segment leading to the City of Pittsburgh and just go with the segment to I-376 in Monroeville. There is a lot of public opposition to this anyway in addition to the increased costs. I would like to see some road be built between Rankin and Hazelwood tho, but I envision a boulevard or landscaped parkway rather than a limited-access freeway...
I think building the segment to Monroeville would be a good compromise, although I would like to see the entire thing get built. A boulevard alone isn't gonna do much. I like the Expressway on the north side of the Mon, and upgrade the existing roads on the south into a functional boulevard.
I'm not sure what the benefit of moving United to A is as long as C remains open for JetBlue, Frontier, CDG, and extra gates. So now if WN wants more gates on A they have to move the sealed off wall while C sits open and mostly unused??? Boosting the concessions on A at the expense of whats left on C is the only thing I can think of.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 68, posted (6 months 2 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 13302 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 67): I think building the segment to Monroeville would be a good compromise, although I would like to see the entire thing get built. A boulevard alone isn't gonna do much. I like the Expressway on the north side of the Mon, and upgrade the existing roads on the south into a functional boulevard.
Yeah, but the thing is, there is a ton of public opposition to the expressway on the northern shore of the Mon River. I do think that a road is very necessary there. I imagine there is a need for people to travel between Hazelwood and Rankin, but the people don't want to have a freeway cut right through the center of either neighborhood. I really cannot blame them if you ask me. Hazelwood is trying to make a come-back. It suffered a lot when the LTV mill closed. I think eminent domaining properties along 2nd Avenue and building a long landscaped boulevard (with perhaps a LRT extension included going down the median or adjacent to the road), linking up with Braddock Avenue in Rankin/Braddock. I'd really like to see this boulevard go all the way to McKeesport, but I'm not sure of how likely/possible/feasible that would be.
But sure, a limited access highway would be nice to have as far as traffic relief is concerned, but you do have to consider the general public...
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3265 posts, RR: 8 Reply 69, posted (6 months 1 week 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 13316 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 67): I'm not sure what the benefit of moving United to A is as long as C remains open for JetBlue, Frontier, CDG, and extra gates. So now if WN wants more gates on A they have to move the sealed off wall while C sits open and mostly unused??? Boosting the concessions on A at the expense of whats left on C is the only thing I can think of.
F9 is handled by DL, period. They will NOT be returning to PIT on their own. . Republic will make sure of that, they make too much money for other people for that to happen. As for UA on A, they've been talking about it since the merger with CO closed, and nothing, I repeat, nothing has been done to get those gates ready for daily use. All the available space under A2, A4, A6, A8 and A10 is roads (the old tunnels for the US hub in A). There is no space for breakrooms or offices under the gates there. This is just posturing so the ACAA looks active, folks. I have no idea when UA will move into their own space, even the UA people don't know.
I'm also not surprised that B6 is still being singled out for exclusive space, when they only have 5 flights a day, typical PIT posturing. I don't believe a word of this gobledy-gook, folks.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 70, posted (6 months 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 13306 times:
Seems like half the public opposition comes from one person - John Fetterman. Also, due to topography, the overall amount of displacement is actually quite minimal considering the proposed route is right into the middle of an urban area. It's all irrelevant however as long as there is no money.
Quoting USPIT10L (Reply 69):
F9 is handled by DL, period. They will NOT be returning to PIT on their own. .
The point remains however that Frontier uses the C concourse for their arrivals. I'm not sure what you mean by "on their own", but they do market and sell their own tickets for their PIT flights; its not just Apple Vacations. Who does the ground handling is irrelevant.
kpitrrat From United States of America, joined Oct 2011, 133 posts, RR: 0 Reply 71, posted (6 months 1 week 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 13299 times:
To me I feel like "they" (whomever has the ability to do so) should move what is left of the CO operation from D to C so that they would at least be in the same concourse and consolidate the UA operation. They obviously wont be shutting down C considering that is where customs is located so they might as well occupy the open gates. Looks pretty empty over there with the single B6 gate in use. In addition, they gates should still be in pretty good condition. FL only left there about 2 weeks ago. From what I understand B6 will also be moving down to C52 once the jetway is refurbished.
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3265 posts, RR: 8 Reply 72, posted (6 months 1 week 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 13299 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 70): The point remains however that Frontier uses the C concourse for their arrivals. I'm not sure what you mean by "on their own", but they do market and sell their own tickets for their PIT flights; its not just Apple Vacations. Who does the ground handling is irrelevant.
Yeah, they're international flights. They have to be handled on C. Both scheduled charters come from PUJ and/or CUN. I saw PITCLE on F9 on the FIDS screen the other night, must be a ferry flight.
GSP psgr From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 141 posts, RR: 0 Reply 74, posted (6 months 1 week 3 days ago) and read 13284 times:
As I'm in the process of shopping around for a ski vacation for my parents, I notice that DL has brought back CLT-SLC in response to US. I keep hoping DL will bring back PIT-SLC (as I recall it got whacked along with MIA, RDU, CLT, BHM, and CMH). If I recall correctly it bounced around between 738s, MD-90s (probably too much capacity), and CR9s (probably too long for it). To me, the perfect aircraft for Delta would be a daily 319, maybe seasonally in winter for ski traffic.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 75, posted (6 months 1 week 3 days ago) and read 13281 times:
Quoting GSP psgr (Reply 74): As I'm in the process of shopping around for a ski vacation for my parents, I notice that DL has brought back CLT-SLC in response to US. I keep hoping DL will bring back PIT-SLC (as I recall it got whacked along with MIA, RDU, CLT, BHM, and CMH). If I recall correctly it bounced around between 738s, MD-90s (probably too much capacity), and CR9s (probably too long for it). To me, the perfect aircraft for Delta would be a daily 319, maybe seasonally in winter for ski traffic.
Yeah, I posted some things here and there as well. The thing is that there wasn't enough O&D, and I think the timing for any connections wasn't all that great either... If my memory serves me correctly. I believe USPIT10L has more info on this one...
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
N670UW From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 1595 posts, RR: 8 Reply 76, posted (6 months 1 week 3 days ago) and read 13304 times:
Quoting GSP psgr (Reply 74): I keep hoping DL will bring back PIT-SLC (as I recall it got whacked along with MIA, RDU, CLT, BHM, and CMH). If I recall correctly it bounced around between 738s, MD-90s (probably too much capacity), and CR9s (probably too long for it).
Correct. Though I'd love to see SLC-PIT return, the problem for a market like PIT was the service was pre-merger, and MSP-PIT has largely shot down the need for SLC-PIT.
MSP-PIT has more local traffic, and MSP offers many of the same connections (Mountain West, West Coast) that SLC offered. The number of DL destinations that were SLC-exclusive when the SLC-PIT service around is probably pretty small that can't be reached through ATL, MSP or DTW.
GSP psgr From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 141 posts, RR: 0 Reply 77, posted (6 months 1 week 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 13360 times:
Quoting N670UW (Reply 76): MSP-PIT has more local traffic, and MSP offers many of the same connections (Mountain West, West Coast) that SLC offered. The number of DL destinations that were SLC-exclusive when the SLC-PIT service around is probably pretty small that can't be reached through ATL, MSP or DTW.
Many, but not all. The three biggest are Oakland, Long Beach, and Reno. While MSP covers the Dakotas/Montana, there are also a fair number of second tier West Coast destinations that are only via SLC (or LAX, which DL doesn't do from Pittsburgh either): Medford, Redmond, Burbank, Eugene, Pasco, and Ontario. Also, a few tinier destinations in the Mountain West like Elko, St. George, Butte, Idaho Falls, Sun Valley, and Pocatello. Enough to support a daily flight? My gut says no, though I wonder if the booming energy industry might help some compared to the last go around.
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3265 posts, RR: 8 Reply 79, posted (6 months 1 week 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 13336 times:
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 75): If my memory serves me correctly. I believe USPIT10L has more info on this one...
Yeah, the timings were terrible. IIRC, it got in from SLC at about 1600 and left at 1630, at the same time as a WN departure. As we all know, when WN and someone else push at the same time, WN always, always gets clearance before the other airline. Plus, the SLC flight was often late by five or ten minutes, making the turn time even less desirable. Basically, the flight was poorly blocked. Add to that the low-yielding nature of the connections, and you have a low-yielding loser. Don't expect DL to bring this one back, period. If it doesn't make money, they won't fly it these days, period.
Quoting kkephart13 (Reply 78): seasonal PIT-MCO Saturday only flights starting February 16th. Equipment is a 319.
First time since 1995. Back then it was a once-daily CRJ. Before that, DL flew it seasonally in 1988 and 1989. In 1988 it was a twice-daily 72S, in 1989 it was one daily flight. Probably putting pressure on EA at the time, they weren't into taking on incumbent hub carriers at the time, at least not in markets they were newcomers in.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 80, posted (6 months 1 week 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 13346 times:
Quoting kkephart13 (Reply 78): Looks like DL is adding seasonal PIT-MCO Saturday only flights starting February 16th. Equipment is a 319.
Ehh?? I saw they were bringing back BDL-MCO, but they're doing seasonal Saturday-only service to MCO? Have they done this city pair before? I don't think they have. The only legacy airline to serve that market was US IIRC. Maybe TWA did this market, too, way back in the day...
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, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 81, posted (6 months 1 week 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 13337 times:
Quoting GSP psgr (Reply 74): I keep hoping DL will bring back PIT-SLC (as I recall it got whacked along with MIA, RDU, CLT, BHM, and CMH). If I recall correctly it bounced around between 738s, MD-90s (probably too much capacity), and CR9s (probably too long for it). To me, the perfect aircraft for Delta would be a daily 319, maybe seasonally in winter for ski traffic.
Quoting N670UW (Reply 76): the problem for a market like PIT was the service was pre-merger, and MSP-PIT has largely shot down the need for SLC-PIT.
I'd like to see SLC return as well, but I agree with N670UW. Not gonna happen with MSP and even DTW added to the mix. OTOH, DL now has 717s which may be the perfect airplane for PIT-SLC.
I'd rather see SEA added though.
Quoting kkephart13 (Reply 78): Looks like DL is adding seasonal PIT-MCO Saturday only flights starting February 16th. Equipment is a 319.
That's good news. DL also does a lot of weekly seasonal CUN schedules as well - I'm surprised they haven't done that from PIT.
Too bad BOS didn't stick around.
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 80): Have they done this city pair before? I don't think they have. The only legacy airline to serve that market was US IIRC. Maybe TWA did this market, too, way back in the day...
As USPIT10L explained, DL did in fact do PIT-MCO in the past, most recently with Comair (from the E gates no less). Eastern and United also served the route back in the day.
Cush From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 197 posts, RR: 0 Reply 82, posted (6 months 1 week 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 13335 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 81): As USPIT10L explained, DL did in fact do PIT-MCO in the past, most recently with Comair (from the E gates no less). Eastern and United also served the route back in the day.
That is not accurate. They never operated to MCO out of Concouse E. These gates were USAirways Express only, and could never handle a jet aircraft, strictly Beech 1900 / Dash 8 / Doriner 328 / Jetstream 31.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 84, posted (6 months 1 week 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 13331 times:
Quoting Cush (Reply 82):
That is not accurate. They never operated to MCO out of Concouse E. These gates were USAirways Express only, and could never handle a jet aircraft, strictly Beech 1900 / Dash 8 / Doriner 328 / Jetstream 31
That's simply not the case; Comair operated its MCO flights from the E gates for quite a while. Why that was the case I don't know. Perhaps the ACAA wanted all regional ops at the regional terminal. This was before the widespread use of RJs.
Quoting USPIT10L (Reply 83): F9 does that--DL ground handles it.
Both Delta and Frontier serve CUN from IND, CVG, and MKE.
GSP psgr From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 141 posts, RR: 0 Reply 85, posted (6 months 1 week 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 13330 times:
Quoting USPIT10L (Reply 79): Yeah, the timings were terrible. IIRC, it got in from SLC at about 1600 and left at 1630, at the same time as a WN departure.
If DL were ever to bring it back, it should be like an 0600-0700 departure PIT-SLC with a 1700-ish return from Salt Lake. That way it hits the morning bank of connections to destinations throughout the West. Also gets the ski folks on the slopes nice and early.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 90, posted (6 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 13370 times:
Well that's gonna hurt. Here is an old article on the affect JetBlue had after they launched PIT service with 4 JFK flights (and 2 to BOS):
"But despite a doubling of traffic from Pittsburgh to New York in that time .........
But Barger said JetBlue has helped lower air fares in the Pittsburgh market. Since June 30, 2006, average Pittsburgh fares have dropped to $84 for New York JFK flights from $221. Average fares to Boston have fallen to $97 from $178." http://triblive.com/x/pittsburghtrib...siness/s_514572.html#axzz2CAtJKCEf
One year after launching PIT-JFK service, fares to NYC dropped by 2/3, and traffic doubled. We can expect the opposite to happen now as fares increase, and losing B6 will do the same that losing WN to PHL did.
Delta added 6x LGA service not too long ago. But at the same time they reduced JFK by 2x daily, and US Airways reduced LGA by 2x daily. With the loss of JetBlue, we will now be right back where we were in terms of frequency to NYC. Except JFK will be not served well, and no low cost competition.
Perhaps DL will add a frequency back to JFK, and I imagine the folks at LBE are on the phone with Spirit about possible LGA service.
threeifbyair From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 509 posts, RR: 0 Reply 91, posted (6 months 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 13374 times:
Quoting isp2 (Reply 86): B6 is ending JFK-PIT 2/27/13
Noooooo... terrible news for PIT. Many of my classmates will be pretty upset - quite a few are weekly commuters on that route.
Why end in February, though? Worst months of the year are behind them at that point.
I flew on the 2125 JFK departure last month. LF was 99/100. My ticket was $125 o/w, a friend bought his later for $185 o/w. That was a Friday, however. Wednesdays are problematic, I bet.
UA to EWR is insanely expensive. LGA is annoying from a public transit perspective.
Cush From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 197 posts, RR: 0 Reply 92, posted (6 months 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 13352 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 84): That's simply not the case; Comair operated its MCO flights from the E gates for quite a while. Why that was the case I don't know. Perhaps the ACAA wanted all regional ops at the regional terminal. This was before the widespread use of RJs.
Can anyone else support me on this? No regional jet has ever operated out of Concourse E. These gates were reserved for US only. A/B/E and part of C were US, the remainder of the airport was for everyone else... I am 100% positive that Delta never operated the MCO or any flight out of E.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 93, posted (6 months 1 week 15 hours ago) and read 13350 times:
Quoting Cush (Reply 92):
Can anyone else support me on this? No regional jet has ever operated out of Concourse E. These gates were reserved for US only. A/B/E and part of C were US, the remainder of the airport was for everyone else... I am 100% positive that Delta never operated the MCO or any flight out of E.
I'm not sure what the big deal is. I've observed Comair CRJ's operate from the E gates with my own eyeballs for the duration of their MCO service. Also, before US Airways RJ's were en vogue at PIT (PIT was the last among all hubs and focus cities to get any meaningful amount of US Airways RJs), occasionally there would be a regional jet diversion from Trans States or whomever, and they would park at the E gates as well.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 94, posted (6 months 1 week 1 hour ago) and read 13340 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 90): Perhaps DL will add a frequency back to JFK, and I imagine the folks at LBE are on the phone with Spirit about possible LGA service.
Both of those would be nice. I guess it's only a matter of time before B6 pulls out all together, but that could be just me... Still, if that happens, I'd like to see someone come in and bring competition on PIT-BOS. There's more than enough demand to warant a few daily CRJs on that route IMO. DL was foolish to serve that with 3 CR2s a day. A mix of E70/75 equipment as well as an A319 or two would have been nice, much like what they have to LGA. Don't they have an occasional A319 to LGA?
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
kubus From Poland, joined Dec 2005, 172 posts, RR: 2 Reply 98, posted (6 months 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 13205 times:
Quoting Flaps (Reply 95): Don't they have an occasional A319 to LGA?
Yes I just got off one. The last out of LGA and the first AM flights are A319 for rest of Nov, and then switching to MD88 in Dec for couple weeks, then back to CRJ7 right before x-mas. I can't wait for the mad dog, haven't been on one since 93, which coincidentally was my first domestic DL experience.
I have to say DL has much better product then US. Not a single delay, cancellation (I don't count Sandy) in 4 months. Whereas with US, I have Gold status with Starwood hotels just because of cancelled flights. It's also pretty interesting that once the slot swap happen at LGA, all the sudden the conga line for departure or the hurry up and wait for take off at PIT, just disappeared. With 7P departure, I was paying for my parking at 8:41P. I was home at 9:30P and that included stop at big bird for milk and beer. Monday we had 7:19A departure from PIT and I was in a cab heading to midtown at 8:30A.
Forgot to add. If Spirit adds LGA flights out of LBE, I'm all game but they have to do full week and at the right time, business/commuting time, none of this FLL fly in for extended weekend stuff.
atct From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 2035 posts, RR: 41 Reply 99, posted (6 months 1 day ago) and read 13081 times:
Quoting Cush (Reply 92): Can anyone else support me on this? No regional jet has ever operated out of Concourse E
I worked as a ramper for Delta at PIT and I do remember the older guys talking about working over at the E gates for a comair flight. I also remember seeing US CRJ-200's and E145's over there towards the end of the E Gate era. I do also remember the jetstreams, saabs, dornier's, dash's, and 1900's as well.
1995
"CINCINNATI, June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Connection, COMAIR, Inc., (Nasdaq-NNM: COMR COMR Commissioner
CoMR Cloak of Magic Resistance (NetHack)
COMR Commercially Owned, Military Registered ), announced that on June 1, the Company initiated two roundtrip jet flights between Orlando and Pittsburgh with continuing service to Ft. Lauderdale. In addition, COMAIR offers convenient connections in Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale to cities throughout Florida including the Florida Keys Florida Keys, chain of coral and limestone islands and reefs, c.150 mi (240 km) long, extending from Virginia Key, S of Miami Beach, to Key West, and forming the southern extremity of Florida. .
Now Pittsburgh travellers have a choice for their travel plans to Florida. With COMAIR's 50-passenger Canadair Jet, featuring "No Middle Seats" and convenient easy-on, easy off boarding with plane-side "pink tag" baggage check, COMAIR offers a more pleasurable way to Florida for business or leisure.
All flights between Pittsburgh and Orlando are operated with COMAIR's new Canadair Jet. The Canadair Jet, manufactured by the Canadair Group of Bombardier, Inc. of Canada, can cruise at 530 mph and up to 41,000 feet. The jetliner is promoted as the quietest commercial jet in the world. This good neighbor jet aircraft is powered by two General Electric CF 34-3A1 turbofan engines. COMAIR operates the largest fleet of Canadair Jets in the world with 22 of the aircraft currently in service."
atct
[Edited 2012-11-21 13:28:55]
Real pilots fly planes that take and measure oil in gallons
"JoAnn Jenny, airport spokeswoman, said one of the problems with the service was that JetBlue, because of slot restrictions at JFK, was never able to sequence the flights in a way that made it easy for business travelers to fly to New York and return to Pittsburgh the same day.
The slot restrictions, she said, made it difficult for JetBlue to be as flexible as it wanted and needed to be."
This woman just needs to stop speaking. 4x daily (as was the case when B6 entered the market) is more than enough for business travel. Furthermore, JFK is not slot controlled most of the day.
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3265 posts, RR: 8 Reply 101, posted (6 months 7 hours ago) and read 12882 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 100): This woman just needs to stop speaking. 4x daily (as was the case when B6 entered the market) is more than enough for business travel. Furthermore, JFK is not slot controlled most of the day.
Remember, anything to make the airline, not the airport look like the culprit.
tooluther From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 285 posts, RR: 1 Reply 102, posted (6 months 3 hours ago) and read 12928 times:
I think we can place a big chunk of blame here on the flying public. Once all the new DL capacity came into play, this was just a matter of time IMO.
The airport authority and the Allegheny Conference's air service efforts have been very public over the past two years that this (and the CDG flights) are in "use it or lose it" situations...and we didn't use it; capitalism at its finest.
Flaps From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 1115 posts, RR: 4 Reply 104, posted (6 months ago) and read 12882 times:
Quoting southwest737500 (Reply 103): I think the flight time thing is a excuse. They have been performing horribly since they started, they had 4 flights and then 2 excuses
Think what you want but in my case at least that is exactly the reason I don't fly B6. I've gone out of my way repeatedly to try to fly B6 and they never have had a schedule that would fit. It's not just JFK either, I ran into the same situation on trying to find connections to Florida and the West Coast. I hate to see any PIT service dropped by anyone but in the case of B6 they aren't providing what the market seeks here.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 105, posted (5 months 4 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 12858 times:
Quoting tooluther (Reply 102): I think we can place a big chunk of blame here on the flying public. Once all the new DL capacity came into play, this was just a matter of time IMO.
The airport authority and the Allegheny Conference's air service efforts have been very public over the past two years that this (and the CDG flights) are in "use it or lose it" situations...and we didn't use it; capitalism at its finest
Although the net addition to NYC wasn't that much extra capacity (only two RJs - remember DL dropped 2 JFK frequencies and US 2 at LGA), you are exactly correct. Same with Southwest's PHL flights. Use it or lose it. United's LAX service is down to 4x weekly. That's weak.
kubus From Poland, joined Dec 2005, 172 posts, RR: 2 Reply 106, posted (5 months 4 weeks 1 day 17 hours ago) and read 12781 times:
It is not the airport nor the flying public, it is the airline - JetBlue.
I commute to NYC for work every week, fly out Sun, come back Thur. Every week I go thru the same routine of checking DL, US, CO and jetBlue.
The first full week in Jan that I am about to book, has the following fares:
$287, $206, $187, $148
$287 is obviously on high end.
3 out of the 4 have late Sun departure (6:30P or later)
$287 is out
3 out of 4 have late return (6:30P or later)
$287 is out.
jetBlue is the $287
3 out of 3 requirements do not meet my needs and they never had. Majority of the time, I stopped at the fare level as they were consistently higher, even worse when Delta came in.
So don't blame the flying public or the PIT airport for this one. NYC is business flying, this is where the money is made and jetBlue did not support it.
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3265 posts, RR: 8 Reply 107, posted (5 months 4 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 12690 times:
That's not their primary business anyway. DL and UA more than carry the day with biz traffic to NYC, as does US from here. B6 is a leisure airline. But again, like you said, if you can't even connect to Florida on them, they have no chance here. IINM, the majority of their profits are in the Caribbean anyway. Same problem, you don't connect to the Caribbean you have no traffic potential. It appears the only people using B6 here are low-yielding interline customers connecting to int'l flights at JFK; no wonder AA only has one JFK flight a day. I'm not sorry to see it go, trust me. Just do yourselves a favor, whoever posts these PG stories to the web, don't read them first; you'll get a migraine.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 108, posted (5 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 12541 times:
Quoting kubus (Reply 106): I stopped at the fare level as they were consistently higher, even worse when Delta came in.
So don't blame the flying public or the PIT airport for this one. NYC is business flying, this is where the money is made and jetBlue did not support it.
Its been well documented already that it is JetBlue which has caused a 20%-50% (depending on the source) reduction in PIT-NYC fares.
So when PIT-NYC fares go north of $287, which they will, I guess you will stop flying the route?
Edit - So I just checked the fares on both Delta and US Airways on the PIT-LGA route for the first Sunday in March - a week after B6 leaves the market. Already over $300 one way. In the case of US a 500% increase over their fares 1 week prior.
kubus From Poland, joined Dec 2005, 172 posts, RR: 2 Reply 109, posted (5 months 3 weeks 5 days 18 hours ago) and read 12293 times:
DL especially has a tendency to list higher fares 3-4 months out. Week before and after Thanksgiving was around $800 rt, but it dropped to normal level a month before.
With that said, this is totally idiotic if the pricing stays, as it will drive me out of business. I do consulting and I'll not be able to pass or absorbs the cost.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 111, posted (5 months 3 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 12017 times:
"Air fares to New York take off as JetBlue plans to exit route"
"For example, American Airlines will charge $210 for its one nonstop flight to John F. Kennedy International Airport on March 11, returning to Pittsburgh the next day. American fares generally will stay at that level or go higher through March and into April, although on certain days they will be lower.
But that's peanuts compared to what it will cost to fly to New York on either Delta or US Airways. Delta is charging $619.60 for a trip to and from JFK or LaGuardia Airport on March 11, returning the next day, while US Airways is asking $620 for a flight into and out of LaGuardia" http://old.post-gazette.com/pg/12332/1279795-28.stm
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 112, posted (5 months 2 weeks 5 days 19 hours ago) and read 11660 times:
UPS will again be operating the MD-11 at PIT with early morning (but daylight) departures this peak.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 113, posted (5 months 2 weeks 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 11417 times:
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 114, posted (5 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 11382 times:
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 115, posted (5 months 2 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 11358 times:
Then there is the issue of putting half the revenue in an escrow account with intent for use on non airport use - against current federal policy, which Fitzgerald hopes to get changed.
I won't be happy until drilling rigs are poking holes in the ground.
Aruba (AUA) has PIT near its top of desired new destinations. PIT-AUA O&D is on par with that of DTW, and higher than BWI (which has service), YUL, DFW, and GRU. It would be nice to see Frontier take a stab at this.
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3265 posts, RR: 8 Reply 118, posted (5 months 1 week 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 10968 times:
Quoting kubus (Reply 106): NYC is business flying, this is where the money is made and jetBlue did not support it.
They're not supposed to, that's not their business model. The ACAA should've known that before intiating discussions with them.
Quoting PITrules (Reply 117): Now that they are adding PHL, it would be nice to see them take a stab at PIT-PHL. Wishful thinking.
Don't count on it. I see B6 staying here around 18 more months, tops. Their business model is focused on low-yielding international/interline connections. Very few people fly B6 to BOS or JFK from here and end their journies there.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 119, posted (5 months 1 week 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 10969 times:
Quoting USPIT10L (Reply 118):
Don't count on it. I see B6 staying here around 18 more months, tops. Their business model is focused on low-yielding international/interline connections. Very few people fly B6 to BOS or JFK from here and end their journies there.
I don't see them starting PIT-PHL either, hence the "wishful thinking". As far as them staying no more than 18 months.. I don't see why that would be. They have steadily grown PIT-BOS to be a successful market (and certainly outlasted DL as well). If its int'l connections that make JetBlue successful, so be it. Bottom line, it is a successful well run airline.
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3265 posts, RR: 8 Reply 120, posted (5 months 1 week 21 hours ago) and read 10882 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 119): If its int'l connections that make JetBlue successful, so be it. Bottom line, it is a successful well run airline.
No question, jetBlue is definitely a well-run airline. I just don't think they'll be in PIT too much longer. Our sky-high landing fees drive LCCs away in droves. It's just very sad to see our airport run with little thought to long-term growth. Hopefully, the fares will go up to the point where we (the legacies) can have sustained profitability over the long-haul. That's kinda the point of all these mergers.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 121, posted (5 months 1 week 20 hours ago) and read 10854 times:
Quoting USPIT10L (Reply 120): Our sky-high landing fees drive LCCs away in droves. It's just very sad to see our airport run with little thought to long-term growth. Hopefully, the fares will go up to the point where we (the legacies) can have sustained profitability over the long-haul. That's kinda the point of all these mergers.
You know I agree 100% on the fees and how the air service development of PIT has been an afterthought in Allegheny Co politics.
But I don't want to see fares go up anymore. Fares at PIT are now barely below the national average - even after we have been dehubbed. When a fortress hub gets dehubbed, the silver lining is the local market gets stimulated via lower fares. That initially started to happen here, but now O&D and fares are trending back to the hub days. Yes, I'd like to see healthy service from legacies, but I'd also like to see healthy low cost service as well. It shouldn't be one or the other. We certainly don't need to have legacies dominate service to our largest markets resulting in the price gouging we now see to PHL and are about to see to NYC.
A bit more on Consol Energy winning the bid for gas and oil drilling:
"The other bidder, EQT, is surprised, to put it mildly.
“There was no heads up, no discussion ahead of time for anything,” said EQT spokeswoman Linda Robertson. “There wasn’t a willingness to work with us on a win-win deal.”
EQT bid $4,750 per acre, while Consol offered $2,250 per acre and submitted a $2 million deposit for 10 percent of the total amount.
“(EQT’s bid) would have resulted in a bigger windfall for the county and the taxpayers,” Robertson said. “They left $20 million on the table, and we don’t know what their true reasoning was.”
Airport officials did not explain their decision today."
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3265 posts, RR: 8 Reply 122, posted (5 months 1 week 20 hours ago) and read 10845 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 121): That initially started to happen here, but now O&D and fares are trending back to the hub days. Yes, I'd like to see healthy service from legacies, but I'd also like to see healthy low cost service as well. It shouldn't be one or the other. We certainly don't need to have legacies dominate service to our largest markets resulting in the price gouging we now see to PHL and are about to see to NYC.
I'm afraid that's what drives the market in those cities. The business traveler demands frequency above all else. On the bright side, I can forsee UA flying A320/A319s to IAH once the crossfleeting finishes and 737-700/800/900s on PITORD, UA could really use the capacity to ORD from here. It would help tremendously in creating additional demand/rerouting possibilities.
I'm not sure we'll have healty LCC competition, WN will likely be the only LCC here.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 125, posted (5 months 6 days 5 hours ago) and read 10617 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 117): Aruba (AUA) has PIT near its top of desired new destinations. PIT-AUA O&D is on par with that of DTW, and higher than BWI (which has service), YUL, DFW, and GRU. It would be nice to see Frontier take a stab at this.
I've already known that. A while back, there was a thread about routes one would like to see served from their respective airports. One of the markets on that thread was Aruba. For kicks I looked it up and was rather shocked to see PIT near the top of the list of desired unserved destinations...
I guess if anything F9 would be the ones to pick this p2p route up. It would be nice if it happened; this would be another international destination for PIT travelers...
It's not that high up on the list for the PIT folks, however. SAN, SEA among others top their list...
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, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 128, posted (5 months 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 10357 times:
The Southern Beltway project will indeed move forward, providing PIT with another link to I-79, Southpointe (where the shale energy industry is located), and aid in the development of land surrounding the airport.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 129, posted (5 months 1 day 1 hour ago) and read 10339 times:
I don't believe I noticed it in the PG article, but the Tribune Review incorrectly identified the one road as US 50 that would be impacted -- It's PA 50, actually. US 50 runs through the Baltimore-Washington area, through Virginia and into West Virginia, staying south of Pennsylvania altogether pretty much.
Still, I guess it's good overall for the region. It's about time this road gets built. They spent all that time and money acquiring R.O.W, condemning properties, etc...
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
boeingkid From United States of America, joined May 2009, 101 posts, RR: 0 Reply 132, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 9921 times:
This happened because the ACAA does not have the money to plow the ramps, it is contracted. I believe that the policy is greater than 3 inches before they even think of plowing. I never understood their policy plow the 2 runways you do attempt to keep open and a few taxiways but forget about the ramp. Leave it up to the airlines and the hard working ramp guys to plow a path to their gate with plows on tugs and pickup trucks. Unreal and bad management. Maybe this will wake up ACAA to treat the ramps as they do the taxiways.
kpitrrat From United States of America, joined Oct 2011, 133 posts, RR: 0 Reply 133, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 9839 times:
Quoting boeingkid (Reply 132): This happened because the ACAA does not have the money to plow the ramps, it is contracted.
So that is why I saw a bunch of Menichino Paving trucks driving around last night.... Yea it was about 5 inches out there on the ramp taxiways. Not alot IMO but apparently enough to make a significant impact.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 134, posted (4 months 3 weeks 4 days ago) and read 9782 times:
Blaming pilots:
"Our priority when it comes to snow removal is keeping the runways clear and open, then the taxiways. Ramp areas are secondary,” Jenny said, adding a path had been cleared on the ramp to allow planes to get to gates. “The pilot made a wide turn and hit a pile of snow." http://triblive.com/news/adminpage/3...w-airport-passengers#axzz2GI6j6OOq
No awards for snow removal this season for the ACAA.
kpitrrat From United States of America, joined Oct 2011, 133 posts, RR: 0 Reply 136, posted (4 months 3 weeks 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 9690 times:
Sorry, apparently my eyes are going quicker than I thought, especially at night. It it is Facchiano Construction doing the removal.
Yea I wouldn't send any awards. Quite unnerving when you are pushing and the plane bounces pretty significantly at the drainage ditch. Please don't break shear pin!
kpitrrat From United States of America, joined Oct 2011, 133 posts, RR: 0 Reply 137, posted (4 months 3 weeks 3 days 17 hours ago) and read 9696 times:
From Article:
“He [Captain] is in charge of the plane,” she said. “They could‘ve had passengers off sooner, but they decided to wait.”
Where did they get stuck at? I saw on the side of airside facing landside (C/D Gates) that the removal process involved piling up snow near the entrance to the bagrooms and along the outer edge were access to E gates used to be.
southwest737500 From United States of America, joined Mar 2011, 594 posts, RR: 0 Reply 138, posted (4 months 3 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 9692 times:
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3265 posts, RR: 8 Reply 139, posted (4 months 3 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 9697 times:
Quoting kpitrrat (Reply 137): Where did they get stuck at? I saw on the side of airside facing landside (C/D Gates) that the removal process involved piling up snow near the entrance to the bagrooms and along the outer edge were access to E gates used to be.
From what I heard, it was off 10L, AA had to get buses so people could get off the plane.
Yep, epic fail, as always, courtesy of the ACAA. Sorry, no excuse. At least now I work at the ticket counter, so I don't have to run bags through this crap! LOL
kubus From Poland, joined Dec 2005, 172 posts, RR: 2 Reply 140, posted (4 months 2 weeks 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 9322 times:
So much for JetBlue effect, DL prices on PIT - LGA are now down to $120 for the first week (which is cheaper then I paid for this and next week flights). US is still $600.
DL had sold 4 seats on the flights I was looking at in a month. Since the price change yesterday, they sold 7.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 141, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 9139 times:
Quoting kubus (Reply 140): So much for JetBlue effect, DL prices on PIT - LGA are now down to $120 for the first week (which is cheaper then I paid for this and next week flights). US is still $600.
DL had sold 4 seats on the flights I was looking at in a month. Since the price change yesterday, they sold 7
What dates are these? I just plugged in about 20 random itineraries for Mar and Apr. The vast majority are still at least $600 r/t. I did find a Tuesday departure with $220 r/t
On another note, it looks like the A-319 is sticking around for most days.
GSP psgr From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 141 posts, RR: 0 Reply 142, posted (4 months 2 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 9068 times:
Thought of the day: With all of the major film productions that are being done here, one would think that we could at least support one daily flight to Los Angeles, whereas now the United flight only runs less than daily. Compare this to Nashville, a much smaller metro area that has service on both Southwest and American, with Delta announcing that they'll add their own nonstop.
kubus From Poland, joined Dec 2005, 172 posts, RR: 2 Reply 143, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 8823 times:
PITrules 3/4 to 3/7, last flights on both days. Its back to $600. Fluke I guess, but it was there for the taking.
One way around this is to buy on us with flex return and use sat night stay for lga-pit-lga. Sort of abusing the system but then again 300% increase in fare abuses my bottom line.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 144, posted (4 months 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 8767 times:
Quoting kubus (Reply 143): One way around this is to buy on us with flex return and use sat night stay for lga-pit-lga. Sort of abusing the system but then again 300% increase in fare abuses my bottom line.
I don't think that's abusing at all; whatever you can make happen. On the topic of B6, if JetBlue's round trip schedule was not suitable another option for folks was to buy one way tickets on JetBlue when feasible, and one way on one of the others. At least that way B6 would have been partly supported.
Quoting GSP psgr (Reply 142): Thought of the day: With all of the major film productions that are being done here, one would think that we could at least support one daily flight to Los Angeles, whereas now the United flight only runs less than daily. Compare this to Nashville, a much smaller metro area that has service on both Southwest and American, with Delta announcing that they'll add their own nonstop.
PIT is bigger than BNA in terms of metro population and business, but I don't think that translates into larger local demand to LAX. As impressive as Pittsburgh's movie production has become (I think Pittsburgh had more movies filmed here lately than anywhere outside LA and NYC), it doesn't compare to Nashville's roll as Music City and it's connection to Hollywood.
Having said that, 4x weekly to SoCal is indeed pathetic and can be improved upon. Part of the issue is that the airline flying PIT-LAX nonstop also has 3 hubs (5 if you include SFO and IAD) to route traffic over, so there isn't incentive to offer more nonstops - until the route gets some competition.
tarmacphotos From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 309 posts, RR: 2 Reply 145, posted (4 months 1 week 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 8498 times:
PIT one of the finalists to get the KC-46:
Air National Guard unit in Moon on list of candidates for new tanker plane
GSP psgr From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 141 posts, RR: 0 Reply 146, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days 20 hours ago) and read 8426 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 144): PIT is bigger than BNA in terms of metro population and business, but I don't think that translates into larger local demand to LAX. As impressive as Pittsburgh's movie production has become (I think Pittsburgh had more movies filmed here lately than anywhere outside LA and NYC), it doesn't compare to Nashville's roll as Music City and it's connection to Hollywood.
Having said that, 4x weekly to SoCal is indeed pathetic and can be improved upon. Part of the issue is that the airline flying PIT-LAX nonstop also has 3 hubs (5 if you include SFO and IAD) to route traffic over, so there isn't incentive to offer more nonstops - until the route gets some competition.
Out of curiosity, I looked up the data: PIT-LA Metro has 494 daily passengers, BNA-LA is 698. So we're 70% of the size and BNA is significantly closer to California. That said, we have almost the same exact traffic level as RDU (478), and they'll have nonstops on both AA and DL come April. So I'll agree that it's a combo of UA cannibalizing it's own traffic and PIT's high fees. On the LAX route, I've long thought that Delta or American would be a better fit. Traffic between here and SoCal should continue to increase in the future with the coming 31st Street Studios project in the Strip District driving more productions here.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 147, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 8401 times:
Quoting GSP psgr (Reply 146): On the LAX route, I've long thought that Delta or American would be a better fit. Traffic between here and SoCal should continue to increase in the future with the coming 31st Street Studios project in the Strip District driving more productions here.
The one thing I do like about having UAL doing the LAX service is perfect timing and connection to their SYD/MEL flights; last time I did this the Australia flight was one gate over.
Considering how they've expanded at LAX, I would not be surprised to see AA add PIT-LAX, especially if the local movie production continues at the current pace as you've mentioned.
GSP psgr From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 141 posts, RR: 0 Reply 148, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days 19 hours ago) and read 8381 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 147): The one thing I do like about having UAL doing the LAX service is perfect timing and connection to their SYD/MEL flights; last time I did this the Australia flight was one gate over.
DL could do that too with DL16/17, and AA codeshares heavily with Qantas which does both Melbourne and Sydney from LAX (though PIT-DFW-SYD already exists).
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 149, posted (4 months 1 week 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 8348 times:
Quoting GSP psgr (Reply 148): DL could do that too with DL16/17, and AA codeshares heavily with Qantas which does both Melbourne and Sydney from LAX (though PIT-DFW-SYD already exists).
Absolutely; however since UAL already offers an evening departure to LAX I would think that a new entry in the market would offer an early morning departure, which nixes those connections. Not that this industry is logical
GSP psgr From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 141 posts, RR: 0 Reply 150, posted (4 months 1 week 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 8197 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 149): Absolutely; however since UAL already offers an evening departure to LAX I would think that a new entry in the market would offer an early morning departure, which nixes those connections. Not that this industry is logical
You're probably right. That said an 0600-0800 PIT-LAX would be great for local traffic out of Pittsburgh. I think there would also be demand for a West Coast redeye, something we currently lack (though I know US has from time to time done a PHX-PIT redeye). The San Francisco flight has an early morning departure and seems to do better than the Los Angeles service does, despite being a smaller local market.
As an oddball idea, PIT-LAX could also be done by Virgin America, as they have a focus city there. As an even more off the wall idea, maybe they could use PIT as a stop en route to DCA (from LAX) and LGA (from SFO and/or LGA). Not likely, but at least a thought.
USPIT10L From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 3265 posts, RR: 8 Reply 151, posted (4 months 1 week 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 8118 times:
Quoting GSP psgr (Reply 150): The San Francisco flight has an early morning departure and seems to do better than the Los Angeles service does, despite being a smaller local market.
I don't work mornings anymore, but the LAX flight does carry a lot, and I mean a LOT of O&D traffic. Seems like PITSFO is more connecting than local, traffic-wise. Don't forget the PITSFO flights time perfectly with the Asia bank around 12n SFO-time.
atct From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 2035 posts, RR: 41 Reply 152, posted (4 months 1 week 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 8191 times:
I remember flying USAir 733LR and 752's PIT-LAX...
Anywho in regards to UA's operation. As stated above, there are easy connection opprtunities at CLE, DEN, IAH, ORD, SFO, and to a lesser extent, IAD and EWR. Pretty hard to support a stand alone route of this size that overflies or passes close to 5 of your hubs. Im not saying I dont think they couldnt support daily, just saying what the bean counters are probably thinking. I would love to see 2x PIT-LAX (and a pipe dream, PIT-SEA) flights.
atct
Real pilots fly planes that take and measure oil in gallons
I just realized PIT-SFO is also back to 4x weekly for the winter. That's equally pathetic. Whereas I can see AA or DL start PIT-LAX, I just don't see anyone else interested in PIT-SFO other than United. SFO based Virgin America has a long way to go before they consider PIT.
ACAA is pushing incentives to airlines if they launch non stops to a slew of destinations, including Nashville, San Diego, Seattle, Dallas Love Field (DFW is already adequately served IMO, so why that?), Jacksonville, New Orleans, and even Calgary! London was even mentioned, but as the article stated, only 50-some pax depart each way...
I just don't see it happening. Maybe they could pitch to an airline that runs an A319 on a transcon. I think that would be the only airliner that an airline could run profitably with only 110 or so pax each way to SAN or SEA. AS flies 738s, which seat roughly 150 or so pax...
I do see demand for these destinations picking up that might warrant non-stops at some point, but the numbers are not there yet.
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
N670UW From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 1595 posts, RR: 8 Reply 155, posted (4 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 7744 times:
Only SEA, BNA, MCI and maybe MSY are reasonable. DAL, YYC and JAX are just out of left field. SLC will only happen if Delta is interested and there is no sign they are.
LoneStarMike From United States of America, joined Jul 2000, 3640 posts, RR: 38 Reply 156, posted (4 months 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 7715 times:
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 154): Dallas Love Field (DFW is already adequately served IMO, so why that?
It's kind of pointless to offer an airline an incentive to fly nonstop between PIT & DAL when those flights wouldn't even be possible until October of next year because of the Wright Amendment.
Cush From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 197 posts, RR: 0 Reply 157, posted (4 months 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 7681 times:
I think the whole idea is awful. Like the article mentioned about London, I think that should be a number one priority. Even better would be LH to FRA or MUC with the large germany company presence in the PIT region. Most of these destinations make no sense.
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 154):
ACAA is pushing incentives to airlines if they launch non stops to a slew of destinations, including Nashville, San Diego, Seattle, Dallas Love Field (DFW is already adequately served IMO, so why that?), Jacksonville, New Orleans, and even Calgary! London was even mentioned, but as the article stated, only 50-some pax depart each way...
Quoting N670UW (Reply 155): DAL, YYC and JAX are just out of left field.
The only one I see in the intermediate future are DAL (after the Wright restrictions are lifted), BNA, and London, which isn't even targeted.
DAL is a no brainer considering WN's connectivity and the natural gas industry, which is also huge in North Texas. Same logic as WN's new PIT-HOU service.
BNA is a short flight which also offers good connectivity on WN.
79 is down substantially from when PIT had nonstop service to London (as is FRA), while Paris, now with nonstop service, is up substantially. See the pattern? Having said that, 79 to London is still far greater than the current number to Paris, which as we know has been heavily promoted. So the BS detector goes off when Mr Penrod states:
"London, despite its popularity with online voters, did not make the cut because only 54 people a day fly to that destination from Pittsburgh. That's not nearly enough to fill up a 250-seat jet needed to make the trip, he said."
The reason they are downplaying London is simple - they don't want to cannibalize the Paris flight. I don't blame them. But I can easily see AA/BA look at 757 service. Connections would take care of the rest of the plane beyond the O&D numbers.
YYC and OKC at first glance are out of left field. However, as someone who follows the Pittsburgh business community, the amount of business transactions between Calgary and Pgh energy companies over the past couple years is quite impressive (same with OKC). Not enough O&D for air service, but what demand there is would be very high yielding. YYC may be a bit in left field, but not beyond the realm of possibility if offered by WestJet considering their connections. I'd think that YYC will happen before YUL. I wouldn't have said that 3 years ago.
SEA and SLC possibly on AS and DL respectively, again because of connection opportunities.
GSP psgr From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 141 posts, RR: 0 Reply 159, posted (4 months 3 days 1 hour ago) and read 7637 times:
As for ideas not mentioned in the article:
SJU:With B6's growth out of Puerto Rico, I wonder if there might be a market for weekend service here.
YUL: I've mentioned it in a past thread. There are not insignificant corporate ties like Bombardier and Alcoa, and Air Canada does operate a modest size hub at Trudeau.
LGB/OAK: If B6 wanted to do the PIT-Los Angeles market, it's a possibility. Likewise the same for Southwest Airlines and the Bay Area. As a side thought, WN is picking up three more gates at LAX so that could put us in play, though they are not a big fan of transcons.
atct From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 2035 posts, RR: 41 Reply 160, posted (4 months 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 7611 times:
PIT-SEA, and to a lesser extent SAN, might be doable from Alaska. From what I hear, their new (past 2 or 3 years) STL service is doing awesome. They do fly -700's just not many of them.
ATCT
Real pilots fly planes that take and measure oil in gallons
"Because of federal airport rules, that money probably will have to go to lower gate fees and to build roads and infrastructure to help industrial and office redevelopment on county-owned airport land, Fitzgerald and Davin said."
Hopefully that is to mean that the Co Exec has finally given up on efforts to change FAA policy and redirect this revenue elsewhere, something he and his predecessor insisted on which delayed this effort by years.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 162, posted (3 months 3 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 7218 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 161): Hopefully that is to mean that the Co Exec has finally given up on efforts to change FAA policy and redirect this revenue elsewhere, something he and his predecessor insisted on which delayed this effort by years.
Or not. Can't get at the FAA, so they look to divert state revenue designated for the airport. I should have seen this coming.
"Fitzgerald said on Wednesday that he asked state leaders to consider taking money designated for paying down debt at the airport and redirecting it to the county.
Mustio and other local legislators said they are willing to talk about redirecting the casino money. Some have questions about where the county would spend the money."
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 163, posted (3 months 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 6756 times:
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 165, posted (3 months 2 weeks 6 days ago) and read 6606 times:
Quoting dabpit (Reply 164): If PIT gets the HQ then that will be a really good for the airport and the surrounding community.
It would be, but I'm not holding my breath. PE still looks like they have a business model that is risky, and even if they do have success, PA is not known for being very business friendly, as was indicated in the article (right-to-work vs. unions and high corporate taxes).
Altho, having the main hub at PIT versus Newport News I think makes more sense -- it's a larger metro area and the overal surrounding area within a 90-minute drive is rather populous.
I hope I'm wrong about PE tho. I saw in a much earlier press release that they were considering a 2-class layout, which I'm guessing was a rumor. If that were the case, AND if they fly to more main markets (ORD or MDW as opposed to, say, Gary for Chicago), then I could see this becomming successful. If they try to adopt the Skybus model, they are surely doomed...
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
FreshSide3 From United States of America, joined Nov 2012, 204 posts, RR: 0 Reply 166, posted (3 months 2 weeks 6 days ago) and read 6581 times:
You also have the lack of air service of any kind from Youngstown OH. Not that it's a big market, but for those who are traveling long distances, for practical purposes, turn this into a CLE vs. PIT competition.
kkephart13 From United States of America, joined Jun 2012, 76 posts, RR: 0 Reply 167, posted (3 months 2 weeks 5 days 20 hours ago) and read 6522 times:
KDKA is now even reporting about PE looking at PIT. But like Steeler83 said, im not holding my breath either. I sure hope it gets off though for PIT sake... It sure would be nice to have an airline call PIT a hub again...
Cush From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 197 posts, RR: 0 Reply 168, posted (3 months 2 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 6449 times:
I had a feeling a few nights ago that PE would consider PIT, as their Facebook page has "Likes" for Primanti's.... Honestly... Unless you visit or have been here, you can't just say you "Like" a Primanti's Sandwich.
What is even funnier is that JetTrain routes were PIT-MCO and PIT-EWR. The exact same routes that PE proposes to fly, although, they also make mention of Providence. Now, common sense says if it didn't work in the past with the same concept, why would it work now?
I am a BIG fan of LBE, and love Spirit Airlines. I am actually flying on LBE-MYR in about two weeks here again. Anyways, i feel that if PE obtains their license once purchasing an existing carrier, PIT will make a very lucrative offer to them, and it will be an all out war between PIT and LBE. Imagine PIT offering basically no fees for X number of years to PE, which essentially what keeps the overall cost at PIT high. This would casue fares to compete pretty evenly with LBE. Something about PE worries me. I mean i hope they succeed, but i also hope that nothing hurts NK at LBE. 5 minutes from your car seat to aircraft seat is the best thing ever. I
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 170, posted (3 months 2 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 6401 times:
Quoting Cush (Reply 169): Now, common sense says if it didn't work in the past with the same concept, why would it work now?
It didn't work then because PIT was a huge fortress hub in which the incumbent carrier had a lackadaisical yet still powerful desire to defend its turf. That's not the case today.
Quoting Cush (Reply 169): . Imagine PIT offering basically no fees for X number of years to PE, which essentially what keeps the overall cost at PIT high.
What keeps the overall costs high at PIT is the debt on the midfield terminal until 2018.
Incentives are nothing new in this industry. Speaking of NK at LBE, I think the news of PIT offering incentives for new destinations, and the resulting headlines about PE are coming about because NK at LBE finally lit a fire under Allegheny County's ass.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 171, posted (3 months 2 weeks 5 days 5 hours ago) and read 6342 times:
Same here! I love that LBE is proving to be quite an alternative to PIT. Heh, the Greater Pittsburgh area has two commercial airports. Who would have thought of that?
The region is growing again. Jobs and population are on the increase; utilities, technology companies -- they're all interested in creating jobs in the region. That will mean, hopefully, more travel demand. As long as demand increases with the local job and population growth, there could be more to go around for both LBE and PIT.
Now, regarding PeoplExpress, I'd really like for them to adopt the Airtran model. They had (yes, I'm using past-tense here since they're in the middle of their buyout with Southwest) one massive hub at Atlanta with a secondary hub at BWI, and a slew of focus cities in Florida, and they offered a two-class seating. They served most of the major airports instead of some way out-of-the-way destination like what Skybus attempted. Didn't they fly to ABE and call it Philadelphia? That's not even in the greater Philly metro area. This model worked well, and I wish WN wasn't going to do away with it. Airtran lasted what, 13 years or so with this model? PE does plan on flying into EWR, so that right there should tell us they are not going with a SB model -- at least not entirely anyway.
I'd like to see them fly routes like PIT-MDW as opposed to Gary or RFD. Again, not to knock Newport News, but PIT has a larger catchment area, and I think a HQ/main base there would make more sense. What is the O&D for the Hampton Roads area? PIT's is around 8 million. I know I saw some report earlier that said its O&D was somewhere around 4 million or so at max, but that was way back in the days of the US hub. Very few people are using PIT for connections anymore...
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
MasseyBrown From United States of America, joined Dec 2002, 4723 posts, RR: 7 Reply 172, posted (3 months 2 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 6287 times:
Quoting kkephart13 (Reply 167): KDKA is now even reporting about PE looking at PIT
Welcome them with open arms until they ask for an "investment" in the company. Then keep your hands in your pockets.
LoneStarMike From United States of America, joined Jul 2000, 3640 posts, RR: 38 Reply 173, posted (3 months 2 weeks 4 days 19 hours ago) and read 6230 times:
FreshSide3 From United States of America, joined Nov 2012, 204 posts, RR: 0 Reply 174, posted (3 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 6177 times:
Quoting atct (Reply 160): PIT-SEA, and to a lesser extent SAN, might be doable from Alaska. From what I hear, their new (past 2 or 3 years) STL service is doing awesome. They do fly -700's just not many of them.
It would be consistent with what AS is doing....
Quoting Cush (Reply 157): I think the whole idea is awful. Like the article mentioned about London, I think that should be a number one priority. Even better would be LH to FRA or MUC with the large germany company presence in the PIT region. Most of these destinations make no sense.
Yes, local traffic on German destinations would be stronger than CDG out of PIT, that's for sure.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 175, posted (3 months 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 6122 times:
Not surprising considering the loss of WN to PHL. Its interesting to note that PIT's traffic is down by about 200,000 pax, which is what LBE gained. Pretty much a wash for the region, but still disappointing results.
Pittsburgh's business ties with Germany are largely in the CGN/DUS region. FRA appeared to have high O&D from PIT, but presumably business travelers would take the nonstop flight there then hop on the ICE train. Now that you have to make a connection to get to FRA, you might as well make that connection straight to CGN or DUS instead. You will notice the O&D to FRA is down by 50% since we lost the nonstop flight, but DUS is up 156% since 2003.
Getting a nonstop to DUS is never going to happen, so keeping CDG is a better deal and someday we will get LHR, which is also a better deal.
atct From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 2035 posts, RR: 41 Reply 176, posted (3 months 2 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 6033 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 175): Looks like Chevron will build a 43 acre corporate campus by the airport. As long as these developments continue, demand for air service will grow as well.
2 Carriers already do PIT-Houston (Southwest starts in April) so this campus - campus is served. The only bump is maybe PIT-SFO will go daily on UA with the traffic between this campus and their HQ out in CA.
Real pilots fly planes that take and measure oil in gallons
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 177, posted (3 months 2 weeks 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 6069 times:
Quoting atct (Reply 176): The only bump is maybe PIT-SFO will go daily on UA with the traffic between this campus and their HQ out in CA.
PIT-SFO is indeed scheduled to go daily in the summer (as is LAX). Lets hope it sticks to year round daily
YNGguins From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 473 posts, RR: 1 Reply 178, posted (3 months 2 weeks 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 6006 times:
Quoting FreshSide3 (Reply 166): You also have the lack of air service of any kind from Youngstown OH. Not that it's a big market, but for those who are traveling long distances, for practical purposes, turn this into a CLE vs. PIT competition.
Youngstown is an interesting market. Most markets of its size (550k), would have a nice batch of air service. With CAK-CLE-PIT within a 90 minute drive of the Mahoning Valley, it has been difficult to YNG to recover. However, Allegiant continues to grow at YNG and will likely add PGD in the near future. After years of 10-15k in passengers, YNG had 77,000 passengers in 2012, the most since the late 1990s. Before you know it, they will have over 100,000 passengers. If not in 2013, I would imagine in 2014.
If you note the YNG SCASD application, there is a slide in there that is very interesting. At the time of the application, 49% of the YNG leakage was to PIT, while just 35% was to CLE. Due to the location of PIT and the advertising dollars invested in YNG, it certainly seems as though you have a solid amount of traffic, to the tune of roughly 200,000 passengers a year (if not more), coming from the Mahoning Valley.
I think it is important for PIT to continue to keep a hold on this traffic, but it may be difficult. As Allegiant expands, the need for the likes of Southwest down south may diminish quite a bit each year. Furthermore, if YNG get's daily service, that may also put a dent in that number.
Pay attention to things at YNG, because it will affect PIT in some facet or another. I still love PIT and enjoy flying out of there. Hope to see it strong and viable yet again!!!
[Edited 2013-02-02 18:46:04]
I am PROUD to live in the greatest country on earth: The United States of America!
Cush From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 197 posts, RR: 0 Reply 179, posted (3 months 2 weeks 3 days 6 hours ago) and read 5893 times:
Really good article in the PG here. The County just hired a guy for 6 figures a year, with the sole job being to attract new carriers to PIT. His experience in the aviation industry (none). Great pick ACAA!!
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 180, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 5785 times:
Quoting Cush (Reply 179): Really good article in the PG here. The County just hired a guy for 6 figures a year, with the sole job being to attract new carriers to PIT. His experience in the aviation industry (none). Great pick ACAA!!
Seriously! If this job opens up again because this guy proves to be too incompetent (pretty much everyone else associated with Allegheny County government and politics, altho there are some boobs who stay on the job for years on end...), I'm still available!! Hell, at least I have a transportation planning background. Not necessarily in aviation, but still. If this guy is qualified, then so am I!
Do not bring stranger girt into your room. The stranger girt is dangerous, it will hurt your life.
kkephart13 From United States of America, joined Jun 2012, 76 posts, RR: 0 Reply 181, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 5656 times:
Maybe someone can verify/confirm this... I heard thru the grapevine that there is a Harley Davidson store going in next to the brighton store is?
EVERYTHING i type on here, is the opinion of ME and not of any airline/company.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 183, posted (3 months 2 weeks 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 5571 times:
Quoting kkephart13 (Reply 181): Maybe someone can verify/confirm this... I heard thru the grapevine that there is a Harley Davidson store going in next to the brighton store is?
Quoting kpitrrat (Reply 182): Yes. At least that is what it says on the white board concealing the storefront. It is right across from the book store in the core of airside.
What now? This should be interesting...
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, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 184, posted (3 months 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 5516 times:
Quoting Cush (Reply 179): Really good article in the PG here. The County just hired a guy for 6 figures a year, with the sole job being to attract new carriers to PIT
Not to mention being in the legislative body which confirms appointments to his own authority. The whole thing reeks, as does much of Allegheny Co politics.
Somewhat related to air service development, looks like Amtrak will finally axe its Pgh-Harrisburg line, which continues to Philly and NYC. It also stops in smaller cities such as LBE, JST, AOO.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 185, posted (3 months 2 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 5410 times:
^^ That may be, but I'm still not exactly happy about that. Pennsylvania is very backwards and seems to be doing what it can to isolate Pittsburgh from any kind of decent transportation access to the State Capital and to Philly. No, Greyhound and Megabus do not count as decent transportation. Anything carting around winos and other low-lifes for the most part is not what I would call decent. I know that from personal experience. Not to mention, what about those articles in the PG and Trib that discussed how the convention center wanted the Megabus stop moved because of trash associated with the clientelle?
I've said this in other discussion forums. I think local officials need to open discussions with those in Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, and Chicago to discuss adequate rail service along this corridor. There should be a morning train departing for Cleveland and points west, but there isn't. The Capitol Limited stops at both PGH and Cleveland in the middle of the night. Naturally you're only going to have a dozen people riding the train in that case...
Regarding the initiative to re-launch air service to some of the smaller towns in PA, I still have my doubts about that. While losing Amtrak to Harrisburg would strengthen this argument, I don't think it would be worth the loss. Call me crazy, but that's my opinion...
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, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 188, posted (3 months 2 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 5280 times:
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 185): That may be, but I'm still not exactly happy about that. Pennsylvania is very backwards and seems to be doing what it can to isolate Pittsburgh from any kind of decent transportation access to the State Capital and to Philly.
From the article - "Amtrak could not provide separate figures for Pittsburgh-to-Harrisburg ridership. If half of the Pittsburgh riders use that service, the proposed subsidy amounts to $88 per rider, well above the current $40 ticket price."
I can't think of anything more backwards than subsidizing each Amtrak passenger to Harrisburg to the tune of $88. And that's only for the existing slow 5+ hour journey. I can't imagine how many billions it would cost to upgrade that to a dedicated high speed line. Why not just pay me $87, and I promise to never use the thing. That would be a win-win. I gain, and the state saves money as well.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 189, posted (3 months 2 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 5160 times:
"Allegheny County Airport Authority demotes director Bradley D. Penrod"
"In an interview Tuesday night, county Executive Rich Fitzgerald said there has been a "level of frustration" on the board and in the business community over the level of service at Pittsburgh International, which has seen the number of flights drop dramatically since US Airways eliminated its hub nearly a decade ago.
"I think this is something the board wanted to see happen, and I was in agreement with what the board wanted to do," he said.
While Mr. Fitzgerald said that Mr. Penrod had done a good job operating the airport, he wasn't nearly as generous rating his performance in attracting flights.
"Obviously, we haven't gotten more flights. We've done very poorly over the last eight or nine years," he said. "We've got to take corrective action."
We all know the reason PIT is not growing flights is because of the high fees. Fitzgerald obstructed major efforts to bring major revenue to the airport, which would reduce those fees. First interfering with the shale drilling, and now with the desire to redirect casino revenue currently going to the airport. He is directly responsible for the lack of growth at PIT, and now makes Penrod some sort of scapegoat to save face. Unreal.
tarmacphotos From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 309 posts, RR: 2 Reply 190, posted (3 months 2 weeks ago) and read 5059 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 189): We all know the reason PIT is not growing flights is because of the high fees. Fitzgerald obstructed major efforts to bring major revenue to the airport, which would reduce those fees. First interfering with the shale drilling, and now with the desire to redirect casino revenue currently going to the airport. He is directly responsible for the lack of growth at PIT, and now makes Penrod some sort of scapegoat to save face. Unreal.
I agree with you about Fitzgerald, but are you endorsing the job Penrod has done? I think he needed to go long ago. I just hope they don't hire another Allegheny hack politician to replace him.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 191, posted (3 months 1 week 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 5036 times:
Quoting tarmacphotos (Reply 190):
I agree with you about Fitzgerald, but are you endorsing the job Penrod has done? I think he needed to go long ago.
I think Penrod was a slight improvement over his predecessor Kent George, who seemed very arrogant especially with the way he dealt with US Airways. Fitzgerald and Onorato both have tied the hands of the ACAA chief so much that I don't think anyone would have been successful in that position.
Fitz needs to do what he said by searching the world for the Lee Iococca of the airport industry, then let him do his job.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 192, posted (3 months 1 week 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 4852 times:
"Allegheny County reaches $500 million deal for airport drilling"
Consol Energy Inc. will pay an estimated $500 million over the next 20 years for the right to drill for shale gas on land surrounding Pittsburgh International Airport.
At the start of a public hearing about airport drilling this evening in Moon, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald announced details of the proposed agreement, which would include a $50 million upfront bonus payment and an estimated $450 million in royalties.
Mr. Fitzgerald said Consol also is planning to invest another $500 million in infrastructure and other costs related to the drilling, bringing the entire package to $1 billion.
tooluther From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 285 posts, RR: 1 Reply 193, posted (3 months 1 week 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 4777 times:
Am I reading correctly that at least the entirety of the upfront payment ($50 mill) is going exclusively to the airport authority as a stimulus to reduce fees????? This could be the game changer folks. Even if they off set half of the current debt payments for the next five (initial loan principal is payed of in 2018, correct?) that would allow the authority to dramatically reduce landing fees. This directly impacts the conversation above about leisure traveler leakage to Youngstown and LBE.
I agree the CE dicked around with this too much over the past year, but if he has come around we should celebrate.
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 195, posted (3 months 1 week 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 4654 times:
Quoting tooluther (Reply 193): Am I reading correctly that at least the entirety of the upfront payment ($50 mill) is going exclusively to the airport authority as a stimulus to reduce fees?????
I believe you are correct; the FAA requires that all revenue generated by the airport remain at the airport. However, that can mean it goes to things other than lowering landing fees, such as continuing to develop business parks on airport land. And that is exactly what Fitz said he wants to do.
Quoting tooluther (Reply 193):
I agree the CE dicked around with this too much over the past year, but if he has come around we should celebrate.
I must admit, $50 million up front and approximately $450 million over 20 years (not to mention $500 million in infrastructure development) is much greater than I would have thought, so I'll give Fitzy some credit for the scope of this deal.
This could be something to celebrate if it pans out. I'm cautiously optimistic this revenue, the recently announced incentive package, and PE possibly coming into PIT with us as their focus could mean an interesting 2013.
GSP psgr From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 141 posts, RR: 0 Reply 196, posted (3 months 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 4382 times:
So, given what appears to be the imminent merger of US and AA, guesses as to the impact for PIT? Here's my thoughts:
-I think we'll see the combined entity begin new service PIT-LAX, with one less corresponding frequency to PHX.
-Upgauges to PIT-MIA (CR9s?) and PIT-ORD (E70s/CR9s)
-An additional daily frequency to DFW, something like 6 daily, though perhaps with slightly smaller aircraft like 319s
-Maybe a loss of a frequency or two to CLT.
-Likelihood of PIT-LHR on a 757 goes up, but by how much....
dabpit From United States of America, joined May 2012, 76 posts, RR: 0 Reply 197, posted (3 months 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 4371 times:
Quoting GSP psgr (Reply 196): -I think we'll see the combined entity begin new service PIT-LAX, with one less corresponding frequency to PHX.
-Upgauges to PIT-MIA (CR9s?) and PIT-ORD (E70s/CR9s)
-An additional daily frequency to DFW, something like 6 daily, though perhaps with slightly smaller aircraft like 319s
-Maybe a loss of a frequency or two to CLT.
-Likelihood of PIT-LHR on a 757 goes up, but by how much....
PITrules From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 2683 posts, RR: 3 Reply 199, posted (3 months 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 4324 times:
Quoting GSP psgr (Reply 196): So, given what appears to be the imminent merger of US and AA, guesses as to the impact for PIT? Here's my thoughts:
-I think we'll see the combined entity begin new service PIT-LAX, with one less corresponding frequency to PHX.
-Upgauges to PIT-MIA (CR9s?) and PIT-ORD (E70s/CR9s)
-An additional daily frequency to DFW, something like 6 daily, though perhaps with slightly smaller aircraft like 319s
-Maybe a loss of a frequency or two to CLT.
-Likelihood of PIT-LHR on a 757 goes up, but by how much....
Here are my guesses, posted in another thread:
Quoting PITrules: It certainly won't be good in terms of jobs, considering that US's SOC is at PIT. That's 400 jobs that will be sent to DFW. Then there is the maintenance base, which employs 1000-1500 machinists. The facilities are old and small. US Airways has been extending the leases incrementally, but I see no need for AA to do the same considering their already sizeable and more modern mx facilities elsewhere including their closed base at MCI.
As far as air service, I can see LAX added. It would be interesting if AA/BA finally add 757s to LHR from medium sized northeasern US cities. If so PIT could possibly be in that mix, in addition to DTW and perhaps a couple others.
Since then, its interesting to note that AA has indicated an increase to both ORD and DFW in the latest OAG update.
DFW will be 5x daily MD-80's. At first I thought it might be a competitive response to NK on LBE-DFW; but this is more likely due to good demand to DFW which has a booming economy, in addition to increased connections to the west coast which are sorely lacking from PIT.
ORD will be served 7x daily by American Eagle. I believe this is the first time in the history of PIT-ORD service that American will offer more frequencies than United.
YNGguins From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 473 posts, RR: 1 Reply 202, posted (3 months 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 4329 times:
Quoting tooluther (Reply 193): Am I reading correctly that at least the entirety of the upfront payment ($50 mill) is going exclusively to the airport authority as a stimulus to reduce fees????? This could be the game changer folks. Even if they off set half of the current debt payments for the next five (initial loan principal is payed of in 2018, correct?) that would allow the authority to dramatically reduce landing fees. This directly impacts the conversation above about leisure traveler leakage to Youngstown and LBE.
I agree the CE dicked around with this too much over the past year, but if he has come around we should celebrate.
Perhaps, but Latrobe and Youngstown have Spirit and Allegiant respectively BECAUSE their landing fees are so low, if not virtually nothing.
Secondly, YNG is working on an oil and gas deal as well. The port authority has 1,500 prime acres in the heart of the Utica Shale of Northeast Ohio. They should make out handsomely as well.
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Cush From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 197 posts, RR: 0 Reply 203, posted (3 months 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 4254 times:
What is sad is when i am looking for domestic flights, and my first instinct is to check LBE and YNG first.... I live 10 mins from PIT, yet when comparing fares, i laugh. Flights from LBE-(DFW/LAS) are 1/2 to 1/3 of what they are from PIT-(DFW/LAS). Also, fares from YNG aren't bad, although destinations are so limited and connections are nil. Still, it's an ok deal, but no where near Spirit.
I am flying on NK for my third time in about a week here, so I will be sure to post some thoughts when i return. LBE-MYR-LBE. Should be fun! And I have the "Big Front Seat" for the first time ever. I figured, I am going on vacation, so why not treat myself. lol.
dabpit From United States of America, joined May 2012, 76 posts, RR: 0 Reply 205, posted (3 months 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 4112 times:
Quoting PITrules (Reply 199): Here are my guesses, posted in another thread:
Quoting PITrules:
It certainly won't be good in terms of jobs, considering that US's SOC is at PIT. That's 400 jobs that will be sent to DFW. Then there is the maintenance base, which employs 1000-1500 machinists. The facilities are old and small. US Airways has been extending the leases incrementally, but I see no need for AA to do the same considering their already sizeable and more modern mx facilities elsewhere including their closed base at MCI.
As far as air service, I can see LAX added. It would be interesting if AA/BA finally add 757s to LHR from medium sized northeasern US cities. If so PIT could possibly be in that mix, in addition to DTW and perhaps a couple others.
steeler83 From United States of America, joined Feb 2006, 8807 posts, RR: 19 Reply 207, posted (3 months 5 days 6 hours ago) and read 3933 times:
Quoting tarmacphotos (Reply 204): Well the US/AA merger is official. The new AA will serve 13 destinations in 60 daily departures from PIT for now.
Almost as big as the US focus city before they shuttered that, or was it officially axed when US dropped their presence to 68 daily flights down from 100-something?
Also, considering the terminal/logistical side of this discussion, I would imagine that AA would moved over to the B gates if all goes through. B has unused gates, and I don't think DL or UA are all too willing to give up their gate space on D. UA is out of the D concourse now, aren't they? Or did they move over to C?
Also, would the US Airways club becom am Admirals Club? I imagine the US Airways club at PIT is pretty popular among US frequent flyers...
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threeifbyair From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 509 posts, RR: 0 Reply 208, posted (3 months 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 3895 times:
Quoting steeler83 (Reply 207): Also, considering the terminal/logistical side of this discussion, I would imagine that AA would moved over to the B gates if all goes through. B has unused gates, and I don't think DL or UA are all too willing to give up their gate space on D. UA is out of the D concourse now, aren't they? Or did they move over to C?
Agree that AA can move into the existing US operation on B - should be plenty of slack. Bascially AA is using 2 gates (C88/89) and US is currently using some gates with 3-4 hours between flights.
I'm still seeing some UA flights out of D77/79 (CLE and EWR departures today). UA would probably need another C gate to replace that operation. The existing 2 UA gates are scheduled pretty tightly at times right now.
By the end of this reshuffle, PIT will look like this (more or less):
A: WN (4 gates, A1/3/5/7)
B: AA (~12 gates, B26-37)
C: UA (3 gates, C51/53/55), AC (sharing with UA), B6 (1 gate, C56)
D: DL (5 gates, D76/78/80/82/84)
Still hoping for AS, but that would probably be a gate-share with DL given their relationship and co-location at other airport.
tooluther From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 285 posts, RR: 1 Reply 209, posted (3 months 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 3843 times:
IIRC UA is consolidating ops on A. I agree that AA will easily slide into US's existing gates on B at which point, the Airport Authority should be able to investigate truncating the D concourse after gate 84-ish. the C concourse will serve Jet Blue and charters/common use + Int'l arrivals.
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