USAir: The Return?

[ALT2870]

Wait...

[ALT2870]

Meh, I'll join the crowd and save another post.

[ALT2870]

One more?

[ALT2870]

The City of Angeles

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"An update for you ladies and gentlemen, we have been informed our gate should be available it about 10 minutes or so. Thank you for your paitence and we will continue to keep you updated." USAir Flight 5 had been now sitting for 15 minutes at Los Angeles International. Inside the Boeing 737 the air was still flowing briskly but outside the air was hot and muggy, even as the sun slowly retreating to the horizon. Inside passengers were getting restless, the though of missed connections, dinner, and more filled minds.

Finally the engine came to life again and the 737 lunged forward. A few short moments later the plane was at the gate. As the engine wound down the ramp workers got to work appearing like ants as they swarmed the aircraft. As the door opened, the smell of heat and jet fuel slowly started to infiltrate the cabin. The jet bridge which just minutes ago was connected to another 737 meets its next plane for the countless time today. Finally people start to disembark, some running down the jet bridge hoping to make their unexpected tight connection. However there was one man who was certainly not in a hurry.

In fact, despite being in business class, was the very last one off. He watched carefully as everyone disembarked. As the last few got off, he took a few moments to talk with the crew. This was no ordinary passenger, this was Mr. ALT, the CEO of USAir. Mr. ALT believes that one of the best ways to observe his airline is to be part of it. At least once a week he flies to various destinations watching carefully to what happens. Today however was more then just that. He had came to the City of Angeles for a little bit more...

As Mr. ALT walked though the terminal, the world was alive around him. The buzz of an airport is like a body. Everything has to work together avoid potential disaster. One could watch for hours and never get board. Unfortunately many are to in a hurry to ever notice what work it takes to keep everything in order. Many would prefer it that way. Just minutes after leaving the aircraft Mr. ALT went to a door you would probably have never noticed. One swipe of the card and type of the code later he entered another world.

"Good afternoon Mr. ALT." says a voice. The voice is of Los Angeles Base Manager Tom Rudy. Tom has been with USAir nearly since its inception so many years ago. He is a golden example of what happens when you stick to it starting as a gate agent. Now here in Los Angeles he works diligently to make sure everything goes smoothly. "Afternoon Tom," responded Mr. ALT, "I'm sure partly you know why I'm here." Tom knows there is no excuse, regardless what he might say, "Yes, my understanding is we are preforming poorly. I've started to do what I can do, but nothing seems to be working." "Did you know my flight today sat on the ground for nearly 30 minutes before we got a gate?" "Yes sir, we've done everything possible. We just can't handle the amount of flights with so few gates." Tom responded, Mr. ALT continued, "Look, this is the challenge. You said you were looking for one." "I know, I know," Tom said, "But this one, I don't know." "Look Tom, we wouldn't of put you here if we didn't think you could do it." Tom responded quickly, "You're asking me to do the impossible. And now you want to add more flights?" There was a long pause.

"Look, I'm going to be honest with you," as Mr. ALT continued, "If this hub can't handle more flights, it's going to have to move." Tom fired back, "Are you crazy? Why would you shut down a hub that serves the biggest city the we have a hub in?" Mr. ALT holding anything back, "It's not my decision, it's the board. You've seen the numbers, we are dead last here. And my flight isn't the only one that has been delayed this long. Nearly every flight in here is delayed. More flights means more delays." "I don't know what you want me to do, the airport says we can't acquire anymore gates. We've cut down turnaround times as much as possible and have hired more people. To top it off our request for a new terminal has been denied. Why does Buffalo get one but not us?" Tom replied. "Where do you suppose we put this terminal Tom?" says Mr. ALT, "This airport is locked up, there's no where to go but where we are at." Silence again enveloped the room.

Outside the clockwork continue no one realizing what was going on inside. "Look Tom, I know there isn't much more you can do but we have to do something. We are planning a massive expansion and the only thing hold us back is Los Angeles." "All I'm asking is some more support from you guys," Tom replied, "It seems everyone is too focused on this expansion rather then figure out how we are going to handle it." "Look, I understand your frustrations, but unless you guys can figure this out by Thursday, USAir will be looking for a new West Coast hub. I've expressed my concerns to the board but they seem on now rather then later." "But your the CEO, the founder. There has to be something you can do." "I wish, it seems everyone is against me now days," Mr. ALT expressed, "The meeting is this Thursday whether you like it or not. I'm driving out to a prospect city tonight. I wish you all the luck but I can't help you here. Have a good night Tom" Mr. ALT proceeded to get up and leave. As he did Tom stood up, "Two weeks." Mr. ALT turned around. "Two weeks is all I need. I'll get something together. I can't let everyone down here, they work hard." Mr. ALT paused, "I'm not promising anything." Though nothing was said or indicated, you could tell both men were in agreement. Mr. ALT then slowly slipped out the door. Back by himself, Tom wondered how he was going to pull this off. What already seemed like an impossible challenge surely became one now. As Mr. ALT proceeded outside he himself was wondering, is it really worth it?

To Be Continued...

[ALT2870]

Agenda Item 4 Has Been Rescheduled to May 11th Meeting

[ALT2870]

Just wanted to drop by and say what happened if anyone cares.

Basically Mr. ALT was going to leave USAir. If you got the hints we see that the board was trying to push him out and the company was starting a downhill slide. The plan was to start another airline from scratch, which would of worked out perfectly with the reset. Or maybe help a struggling one. Needless to say this Summer was insane for me. I worked overtime every week June through mid-August. (Including some 66 hour weeks.) Obviously AE was not my priority.

Now that things are calming down I can hopefully start planning some stuff out. But I will say this, one of the last great CA airlines is done, for now.