American Eagle:possible New Service?

CIDFlyer · Mon Nov 27, 2006 12:55 am

Last summer (2005) it seemed as though American Eagle was expanding and announcing new routes like gang busters. Several routes to the DFW hub were started to smaller midwestern cities and also new routes were announced from the MIA hub. Lately it seems like AAEagle has been quiet. Some of the routes got cut (examples off the top of my head: DFW-GRB, DFW-RST (Rochester, Minn), DFW-TOL) but most stayed (MLI-DFW, CMI (Champaign, IL)-DFW, PIA(Peoria, IL)-DFW, for example). Could any of these routes be started back up? Could AAEagle also expand to new cities? I could maybe see former cities started up. For example, FSD(Sioux Falls) had AAConnex service after the TWA buyout to STL, when the STL hub was right-sized, the service shifted to AAEagle to ORD and then was cut completely. Same story with LNK (Lincoln, NE). Maybe new routes like FSD-DFW, or LNK-DFW could be possible. I also thought we would maybe see TLH-DFW/MIA and PNS-MIA as I thought those had been rumored for a while. Thanks in advance!

[Edited 2006-11-26 16:58:56]

[Edited 2006-11-26 16:59:50]

atlaaron · Mon Nov 27, 2006 2:15 am

I would think something to CAK might be able to work. Thoughts?

COERJ145 · Mon Nov 27, 2006 4:02 am

Maybe a PVD-DFW flight with a CR7?

ERJ170 · Mon Nov 27, 2006 4:07 am

Quoting COERJ145 (Reply 2):
Maybe a PVD-DFW flight with a CR7?

OMG.. that sounds like torture! Sounds like lock-knees, lock-ankles, lock-head, lock-jaw, lock-back.. oh.. everything would be locked up!

kcrwflyer · Mon Nov 27, 2006 4:08 am

I think Eagle would be very successfull on CRW-DFW with a few Erj's.

kcrwflyer · Mon Nov 27, 2006 4:10 am

Quoting ERJ170 (Reply 3):
OMG.. that sounds like torture! Sounds like lock-knees, lock-ankles, lock-head, lock-jaw, lock-back.. oh.. everything would be locked up!

Is there something ud like to tell us about ur last CR7 experience? Silly

FlyPNS1 · Mon Nov 27, 2006 4:12 am

Until Eagle gets some more planes, there won't be much growth. I think AA would like to get their hands on more 70-seaters, but that will depend on how negotiations go with the AA pilots. Plus, with possible consolidation/bidding wars, AA will likely stick to their conservative growth strategy until they see how things shake out.

jetdeltamsy · Mon Nov 27, 2006 4:51 am

I think expansion at Eagle is on hold. The company recently hired an outside consulting company to review all operational aspects of the company to make sure they are "competitive" on the cost side to other regionals. Until this is completed, i doubt there will be new markets or aircraft.

A letter went out to the rank and file last week. Many feel it is a prelude to wage cuts. I thought Eagle was kind of in the middle of the pack when it came to costs.

Any thoughts?

MAH4546 · Mon Nov 27, 2006 4:54 am

You might see some new markets opened up with Executive Airlines ATRs, such as Grand Turk or Cayman Brac, but don't look for MQ expansion anytime soon. Executive does not fully utlize their ATR fleet, so there is plenty of room for them to grow. Miami-Cozumel was to start this December, but then they had second thoughts about sending an ATR from Miami to Mexico so it is on hold for now.

akizidy214 · Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:21 am

Quoting FlyPNS1 (Reply 6):
I think AA would like to get their hands on more 70-seaters

AMR has options for 25 more CR7's but are very unhappy with their performance. They are currently evaluating the EMB 170 and may make a decision after the Bain project is complete.

Boston92 · Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:24 am

It would be a good idea if Eagle gave a second SBA-DFW (and DFW-SBA). They have one, and every flight is sold out, every day almost.

Cubsrule · Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:25 am

A question I should know the answer to, but I don't...

What are the restrictions in the mainline pilot contract on 70-seater flying? How many CR7s is MQ currently operating?

MAH4546 · Mon Nov 27, 2006 5:36 am

Quoting Boston92 (Reply 10):
It would be a good idea if Eagle gave a second SBA-DFW (and DFW-SBA). They have one, and every flight is sold out, every day almost.

They don't have any CR7s to spare, and adding a second flight risks hurting yields.

yow · Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:02 am

Quoting FlyPNS1 (Reply 6):
Until Eagle gets some more planes, there won't be much growth. I think AA would like to get their hands on more 70-seaters, but that will depend on how negotiations go with the AA pilots.

I would love to see YOW-DFW and YOW-MIA with Eagle with YOW-MIA going mainline in the winter, but until more 70-seaters come onboard, that's just a pipe dream.

floridaflyboy · Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:05 am

I would hope AA is looking at BIL as a possible Eagle destination. It's a very fast-growing market and an up-and-coming city with tons of new business ventures right around the corner. Plus, it is the main airport for a 150-mile radius in some directions and 300-mile radius in other directions.

Boston92 · Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:13 am

Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 12):
They don't have any CR7s to spare, and adding a second flight risks hurting yields.

They could kick some bad routes to the can and start adding or starting routes with much more success, or they could take some very succesful routes and replace some CR9's/E-175/E-195 with the CR7's. They could use some CR9's or E-175/195.

akizidy214 · Mon Nov 27, 2006 6:59 am

Quoting Boston92 (Reply 15):
They could use some CR9's or E-175/195.

Won't happen

SaabFA71 · Mon Nov 27, 2006 1:56 pm

Eagle just started MDT-DFW service this year......1 daily CRJ-700. The flight I heard is always packed. Perhaps a second could be in the works, but it sounds like Eagle has all their other aircraft tied up in other markets. I heard rumors last year a MDT-MIA sevice was being looked at. That would have been nice since MDT has no nonstops to any Florida cities. I wouldn't mind seeing Eagle do MDT-BOS or MDT-JFK. The only service to BOS from MDT is offered by USAirwys Express using Dash 8s. The JFK service can offer connections to Europe and the Carribbean (especially for customers in the AAdvantage program).

MAH4546 · Mon Nov 27, 2006 2:20 pm

Quoting SaabFA71 (Reply 17):
Eagle just started MDT-DFW service this year......1 daily CRJ-700. T

Yes, but, as with all Eagle routes, it came at the expense of another: BUF-DFW.

Quoting SaabFA71 (Reply 17):
I heard rumors last year a MDT-MIA sevice was being looked at.

MIA-MDT is a route that AA has been looking at for the past two years as they build up RJ routes from Miami. But there will be no further RJ expansion from Miami until more RJs are delivered to AA.

HPAEAA · Mon Nov 27, 2006 2:57 pm

Quoting ATLAaron (Reply 1):
I would think something to CAK might be able to work. Thoughts?

acutaly... there was talk for a while of dropping CLE and moving in favor of significantly lower costs.... that faded however and I heard they are finalizing the contracts with CLE since AA's expired last January....

Quoting Akizidy214 (Reply 9):
AMR has options for 25 more CR7's but are very unhappy with their performance

Options canceled... that happend a while ago iirc...

I don't think we will see much if any expansion of eagle until AA's pilots get a new contract... the current contract is just becoming amendable so... until that gets ironed out I don't think much will happen... Just look at the current climate... AA pilots publicly not endorcing the current China bid...

flyibaby · Mon Nov 27, 2006 7:27 pm

Does their contract have any say on how many jets AA connection can fly as well? I know CHS is doing very well with what I think is now 3 flights a day to DFW, but was wondering what MYR or ILM would have to do to get some DFW service.

brownbat · Mon Nov 27, 2006 8:30 pm

From what I've heard AE has plans for major growth in the near future but they just don't have the necessary man power especially pilots. Right now they've got way more people leaving then coming in at an alarming rate and they are pretty much desperate.

dw9115 · Mon Nov 27, 2006 8:30 pm

Quoting CIDflyer (Thread starter):
For example, FSD(Sioux Falls) had AAConnex service after the TWA buyout to STL, when the STL hub was right-sized, the service shifted to AAEagle to ORD and then was cut completely. Same story with LNK (Lincoln, NE). Maybe new routes like FSD-DFW, or LNK-DFW could be possible

Both those cities made money for AA but ORD and the mess it is, is what caused those routes to be cut. I know FSD was said to get DFW service but it never happened and now the airport anyway cares more about getting Frontier and a hope of Midwest to maybe come in with a FRJ and getting America West (US Airways) Phoenix back seasonally.

bhmbaglock · Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:33 pm

Anybody know what happened to MIA-BHM. It was announced last year but never happened AFAIK.

dolphinflyer · Mon Nov 27, 2006 10:28 pm

Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 18):
Yes, but, as with all Eagle routes, it came at the expense of another: BUF-DFW.

It makes no sense to me that AE decided to cut DFW-BUF, but retained both DFW-ROC and DFW-SYR. BUF and ALB are the larger O&D markets in New York State than ROC and SYR. My understanding is that ALB-DFW is slightly out of range (by AE operating standards) for the CR7.

It's a shame that AE doesn't have more (quantity) and larger (capacity) regional jets, but that's all due to the damn scope clause with their mainline pilots. I'd love to see some EMB 175s/190s in American Eagle colors. Unfortunately, I don't see that happening anytime soon.

MCOflyer · Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:44 am

I can see EMB 170's but EMB175 and 190 won't happen until a new contract is made up. I would like to see more 145's come online. MIA-Cozumel on a ATR, are they crazy?

MCOflyer

thegooddoctor · Tue Nov 28, 2006 12:56 am

Quoting ERJ170 (Reply 3):
OMG.. that sounds like torture! Sounds like lock-knees, lock-ankles, lock-head, lock-jaw, lock-back.. oh.. everything would be locked up!

CRJ/ERJ for more than an hour = MAJOR SUCKAGE!

...As in not fun. Undesirable. Torturous. Hell. You get the idea...

access-air · Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:09 am

Actually, I would love to see AAEagle to reinstate airservice from Moline to St. Louis....maybe 4 times per day...with the EMB-145..
Moline needs another link to an alternate hub. Someone needs to reinstate that service....Its really a shame that AAConnection/TransStates decided to pull their Jestream 41s out of service....Why is everyone so hell bent on getting rid of Props??? The J-41s would have been nice between Moline and St. Louis...I dont know who is in charge of hub developement for AA in STL but they really need to bring back some of the older TWA routes from STL....and with mainline aircraft....as well..

Access-Air

billreid · Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:10 am

What is wrong with SRQ-MIA, SRQ-DFW?

atlaaron · Tue Nov 28, 2006 1:11 am

Quoting HPAEAA (Reply 19):
there was talk for a while of dropping CLE and moving in favor of significantly lower costs

WOW, not sure that would be a good idea. I would think maybe ADDING CAK but not dropping CLE for it would be a good idea. If they were forced to choose one or the other then I think they made the right choice with CLE Smile

yellowtail · Tue Nov 28, 2006 4:11 am

You know what would be nice, as MWSat 8am BZE-MIA with a Sun/Tue/Fri 5pm MIA-BZE.....lots of premium business traffic to BGI,POS,KIN etc from BZE..all have to overnight in Mia both ways currently...real pain....so being able to do it in one day would be valuable. Not to mention being able to do Europe in one day both directions.....

AA used to do a 5X to Mia with this in mind.....they couldn't fill a 738....but an ERJ would be perfect.

uncgso · Tue Nov 28, 2006 2:04 pm

hey all...does MQ do much out of STL? I would think a flight or 2 a day STL-GSO would do ok. The new ORD flights seem to be doing well from what ive heard. Any thoughts at all?

MAH4546 · Tue Nov 28, 2006 3:08 pm

Quoting UncGSO (Reply 31):
hey all...does MQ do much out of STL? I would think a flight or 2 a day STL-GSO would do ok. The new ORD flights seem to be doing well from what ive heard. Any thoughts at all?

St. Louis is handled mainly by American Connection. MQ has some flights, but to other MQ bases, like JFK.

GSO-STL has about 0.1% chance of happening.

lat41 · Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:00 am

In the middle of a major pool of population and commerce at PVD, Eagle is the only show in town with just 3 ERJ140s to ORD. 4 mainline AA ORD flights as well as n/s DFW were pulled not too long after RDU flights dried up. This was allegedly done to "increase yield" in corporate speak. Thinly disguised is AA's effort to suck traffic up North to BOS to prop up the AA operation there as they slug it out in their bloodbath with JetBlue and Airtran. Some of the business may have followed but WN , UA and NK locally have absorbed their traffic. Hopefully Eagle will revisit opportunities in Southern New England beyond their token service if mainline is gone forever.

ERJ170 · Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:07 am

Quoting MAH4546 (Reply 32):
MQ has some flights, but to other MQ bases, like JFK.

Is RDU a base? 3 of our 4 are MQ.

PVD757 · Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:17 am

well, AEagle just freed up some ERDs that used to run the BOS-BWI route...

http://www.boston.com/business/artic.../28/american_to_drop_2_key_routes/

Quoting Lat41 (Reply 33):
Eagle is the only show in town with just 3 ERJ140s to ORD

UA has 5X daily ORD on a mix of 4 mainline and a CR7.

Quoting Lat41 (Reply 33):
4 mainline AA ORD flights as well as n/s DFW were pulled not too long after RDU flights dried up

now that fares (and yields) have been going up and the AA payroll at PVD gutted, I am certainly hoping they re-consider at least the DFW service while maybe even looking at PVD-MIA.

lat41 · Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:27 am

RE reply 35: AA ERDs are the only representation of American Airlines in any form in town I should have written. Thus, UA has absorbed the PVD/ORD traffic with their flights. Naturally WN is in place to MDW.

Cheers

AEflyguy · Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:37 am

"From what I've heard AE has plans for major growth in the near future but they just don't have the necessary man power especially pilots. Right now they've got way more people leaving then coming in at an alarming rate and they are pretty much desperate."

The problem is, they are offering folks that are already here at Eagle $500 to "recruit" new hires. The flaw there is that the incentive should be to the new hire, not the one already here. If they are going to offer $500 to pilots already here it should be as a bribe...to stay here!

MAH4546 · Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:49 am

Quoting PVD757 (Reply 35):
well, AEagle just freed up some ERDs that used to run the BOS-BWI route...

Yes, though those planes have already been reassigned. They are being used for frequency increases, such as 4th daily MIA-CLT.

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