imperialmog wrote: Also the reason AA left is the regional jet pilot shortage creeping in and affecting things.
Do you have any proof of that?
STL-PIT was a route that Trans States flew by their own decision and took financial risk operating the route (as opposed to the negotiated payment per flight they receive for the other 99+% of flying they do for AA). I think -- in the end -- Trans States cut the route because they could make more money flying elsewhere.
While some regional airlines are having some issues with staffing, Trans States is not one of them from what I have heard.
I think the reality of it is that Lambert is doing better then most airports that lost major hub status in a pretty substantial wave of domestic airline consolidation, runway capacity just verifies as such. Maybe losing hub status early and having Southwest see that opportunity was a plus in the long run.
But a few things going forward
1) Getting an international connection for business matters
2) How can Lambert grow and expand/build out Southwest traffic base even with its heavy debt load. Still believe Concourse D needs to go away for expanded vision of more Southwest Gates, expanded baggage claim & new international gates (even if it is just a few gates), connectivity curbside, etc.
3) Still believe a consolidated rental car facility, on site preferably would be a plus. Maybe incorporated into additional parking where Concourse D stands (more on site parking, more revenues)
Having Trans states based in St. Louis is a plus. I don't know much in terms of airline pilots but believe it is Republic airlines that is the one with big pilot issues. Maybe we will see consolidation that actually benefits St Louis this time around
Finally, anyone have news or update on US/Mexican customs port, or the TX company investing $70 million into a new cargo facility?
dredger wrote:Having Trans states based in St. Louis is a plus.
I had to look it up, they are headquartered in Bridgeton, MO. It would be awesome if they ever moved to St. Louis, though. We could use the tax dollars and jobs, but good for Bridgeton and it makes sense to be near the airport.
Last week I was waiting around 7pm at the cell phone lot for the main terminal for about 30 minutes. During that time I saw like 4 landings. I remember the good old days when you could see 8, 10 or even 12 flights stacked during that same time of night on approach from the west.
^there are a couple points of that time of day where it looks like a group arrives, just from different directions. Remember a couple weeks ago flying out of Terminal 2 there was at least a half dozen Southwest planes pulling in at nearly the same time. I looked online at the flight board and there are some noticeable rushes. Also I noticed and not sure if this is recent, but it seems AA is now using C28.
It is definitely a good point knowing that Lambert has done a lot better than other airports with similar situations have happen. I remember seeing it noted that most domestic (lower 48) destinations greater than 300 miles away that were served in the 1990s are served now. Three is only a handful that aren't at this point.
I am guessing what to do with Concourse D has been brought up and to Southwest in particular? Since right now they are temporarily using E29 but talking to someone there its mentioned they might have to look into permanently using a gate or two there. If D was demolished for a car rental facility and more parking, would that allow room for planes on the south side of C still? Or would it inadvertently close of half of C as a result of not enough space)
Frontier announced today that they are adding new A320 service to Tampa from STL. This is a new nonstop city for Frontier from STL. Southwest also offers nonstop from STL to Tampa o. Their 737s.
dredger wrote:
3) Still believe a consolidated rental car facility, on site preferably would be a plus.
I agree, but only if it is onsite.
I can't stand offsite consolidated rental car facilities. I feel like they have no incentive to get you to and from the facility in a timely manner. When they are not consolidated and offsite, like STL, if one rental company is always really slow I have the choice to go to a competitor which offers better service. With consolidated off-site you are left at the mercy of the rental car center's bus. For example, PHX's rental car bus system is awful.
Consolidated on-site is nice, for example MSP has a good setup. After baggage claim you just walk over to the rental car facility, grab your car, and go.
dredger wrote:
Having Trans states based in St. Louis is a plus.
Is this a plus? Every time I mention getting more mainline United flights, upgauging to mainline, or even upgauging to the 175, the response I always get is along the lines of "yeah, that wont happen because of Trans States".
^ Onsite consolidated rental makes my business travel so much easier. The next best option is a fixed skyway or airtrain that have frequent and consistent times, etc., thinking of my trip into JFK tomorrow and getting my rental car will still be relatively easy and pretty much know how much time it will take me once I get off the plane. Outside of long term parking shuttles, most of the time shuttle buses are not dependable and time consuming. I'm sounding nitpicky but got my travel routines and the small things such as being able to use TSA pre-check when flying Delta or having wifi on the plane tomorrow add up.
As far as Trans State, I think market will dictate whether Lambert gets more main line flights or not. Just have to believe that having them here instead of somewhere else can't hurt as with any corporate HQ. Unfortunately for St. Louis, it is Trans State instead of TWA that still has a presence.
Looking up some flights and saw that Southwest is starting 1 nonstop flight a day to Pittsburgh starting in mid-march. I was expecting this to appear soon with the end of AA flights. Interesting its outside their normal schedule extension, which might explain the odd timing. Have to see if it changes and/or 2nd flight added in next extension later in the month.
Could the rental car companies be more willing to go for a consolidated onsite facility now due to Uber? Since that might hurt their rentals with the hassle it takes.
Southwest Airlines is flying to the rescue of those who are crying the blues over the loss of nonstop service to St. Louis from Pittsburgh International Airport.
The carrier will start a daily direct flight to the Missouri city March 10, replacing the service that Trans States Airlines, a partner of American Airlines, will discontinue Nov. 30.
Trans States currently flies three times a day to St. Louis in 50-seat jets. It tied its decision to drop the flight to a pilot shortage affecting regional airlines nationwide....
^ Strange is how this route was bookable for two weeks and nothing has been announced from anyone until this. Its odd they did that and it was outside their normal schedule extensions. Of note next Tuesday is the next one so likely Southwest says something then along to look for anything new.
Also is it more likely new services from airlines might happen now that it looks like high fuel costs will not happen again soon? Mainly that it will be easier to make a profit allowing more risk. Though there might be the issues that a lot of airlines are tight on planes and can't expand much for a while due to that.
imperialmog wrote:Also is it more likely new services from airlines might happen now that it looks like high fuel costs will not happen again soon?
In terms of domestic flights, STL currently has service to each hub city for all the major airlines - so I think it's unlikely we'll see anything new from AA / UA / DL.
Currently, the only 2 airports in the top 30 without non-stop service are JFK & HNL. It's possible we'll get a JFK flight back, but I don't see HNL happening.
Going into the top 50 adds OAK, SJC, SMF, SJU and IND. At that point you are down to airports with 3 million passengers a year -- or half Lambert's size.
imperialmog wrote:Also is it more likely new services from airlines might happen now that it looks like high fuel costs will not happen again soon?
In terms of domestic flights, STL currently has service to each hub city for all the major airlines - so I think it's unlikely we'll see anything new from AA / UA / DL.
Currently, the only 2 airports in the top 30 without non-stop service are JFK & HNL. It's possible we'll get a JFK flight back, but I don't see HNL happening.
Going into the top 50 adds OAK, SJC, SMF, SJU and IND. At that point you are down to airports with 3 million passengers a year -- or half Lambert's size.
Greg
I'd love to see that day when a STL>SJC non stop is needed.
I flew on Southwest yesterday and read the CEO letter in the magazine. It celebrated their Hobby expansion but in it he stated that they plan on expanding their international service to a total of 12 US airports. What is the possibility Lambert is one of the 12? Is it a Top 10 Southwest "hub"?
^ I was thinking that as possibly something down the line, though its only been a year since there was a significant increase in SFO service with Southwest starting and United adding a frequency. Maybe if those are doing well Southwest might add another Bay Area flight and could use SJC or OAK instead of going 2x on SFO. I picture most new service at this point would be either more service to a place that has some now or international flights since there isn't much left to go for domestically. Though one could be San Diego year round since its only part of the year that is done. Though it is possible Southwest might add some smaller stops if for example they wanted to add capacity there but wanted to not add another Midway frequency (or in a couple cases Nashville) or switch one of those to here (Like what they will do with Little Rock).
Wonder if any AA/UA/DL hubs could use more service due to full flights.
On Southwest International flights, could happen due to demand and there is enough flights here now depending on timing could get a good amount of connections.
robertn42 wrote:What is the possibility Lambert is one of the 12? Is it a Top 10 Southwest "hub"?
STL is not one of Southwest's 10 largest markets which are:
Chicago (247 flights)
Baltimore (218)
Las Vegas (215)
Denver (176)
Phoenix (176)
Dallas Love (166)
Houston Hobby (151)
Atlanta (125)
Orlando (122)
Los Angeles (118)
Lambert has somewhere between 90 & 100 departures.
Regarding international service, Southwest already has international flights out of:
Baltimore
Houston
Austin
Denver
Orange County
Milwaukee
Chicago
San Antonio
Atlanta
If you count San Juan as international (which they are not, but Southwest needed the reservations system upgrades for international travel before they could fly there), add:
Orlando
Tampa
Fort Lauderdale
So, I don't think we are on the short list for international service on Southwest... it's very easy to route STL traffic through Houston.
Actually, last year STL was in the Top 10 and today is 11. We would have remained 10 but when SWA added AirTran and Atlanta, then ATL would claim a spot in the top 10 and STL would fall to 11. However... that being said, 2015 may prove differently since SWA has added Austin, SFO, Little Rock, Pittsburgh, San Antonio just to name a few here to STL's daily nonstops. We may be back in top 10.
SWA likes STL and they remain committed to nonstop destinations and connections through STL.
I wouldn't be surprised ... and thrilled... to see SWA add PDX (Portland OR) nonstop from STL soon. Alaska's new nonstop STL to PDX is continually sold out daily. I am flying SWA tmmrw to PDX through MDW because Alaska was sold out (again).
I understand St Louis having some non-stop voids to some markets in California and Puerto Rico...but how do we not have a non-stop to Indianapolis. That seems really odd.
moorlander wrote:^I think it's odd also. Because it's only a 4 hour drive, maybe?
In the post 9/11 world it's a wash time-wise between driving and flying. For my work you've got to go way high up the food chain to get authorization to fly. We can really only fly there if we're going somewhere else after Indy.
