JETGO Letter box drop

[Honky Tonk]

From JETGO Facebook page.

GET READY TAMWORTH!!!!! The JETGO Australia Promo team is coming in to town on Thursday the 19th February 2015.
Our jet will touch down at 0900 on Thursday morning and will leave again at 1300 on Friday.
Keep an eye out for us as we will be hitting the streets with amazing special coupons.

Quite the revolutionary Marketing strategy. Good utilisation of cabin crew I guess?? I hope they will be wearing their "High Viz" vests.

[HappyBandit]

Special coupons???

Be a baggage handler for the day??

Bit low??

No I do wish them success

[tipsy2]

Paul is pretty well known in Tamworth.

Tipsy

[wheels_down]

This mob has Strategic Airlines written all over it.

[hiwaytohell]

This mob has Strategic Airlines written all over it.

Aaah yes, an Airbus to Tamworth. so that is their secret strategy :D:D:D:D

[Stanwell]

"Amazing Special Coupons!"
Given that a major industry around Tamworth is poultry, I wonder if the blurb should have read something like.. "Totally Awesome Capons!".
That might have gotten a bit more attention from the Peel Valley denizens of Farcebook.

[TBM-Legend]

Why do people in jet numbers want to connect with Brisvegas? Sydney is the home territory for Govt and business types in TW and NSW in general...!

[Nulli Secundus]

Finally, some face to face marketing. But while the effort is commendable, there's a little more to the science of marketing than the current exercise.

So: selfies, your favourite souvenir, upload the pic to the 'under 30's' local radio station etc. etc. All adds up to a chosen target market for the TW-BN sector of young travellers, say, 18's to 30's. Wasn't the message late last year to offer 10 flights a week for the business person ?

That's fine, but the message you're sending now is, hey business traveller, this is not really a service with you in mind.

But its fine if the research shows that's where the highest yield is. But really, in regional marketing you have to be seen to be appealing to a broad prospective market.

Why not a selfie/ FM station thing for the young'ns and say a phone competition for the 'oldies' with a different radio station. Whatever, just don't confuse the market with what you offer. The latest QF ad campaign's a pretty good example of targeting a very broad audience with a simple message of people 'coming home to family and friends'.

Next, they need to be doing these promo's and PR exercises, sponsorships etc. every week for 3 months minimum to really secure the operation & see it established. There are bus service alternatives! Dont assume there is not competition. What's also planned for similar Brisbane marketing?

Where this sector is at real risk is in say 3+ months, the numbers are excellent and QF or Rex or both decide they now want some of the action too. And they won't thank you for creating a previously non-existant market for them. If you think this is a bit of a long bow to draw, consider why Hungry Jacks opens after McDonald's has established a site - smart business.

What are Jetgo's options in that scenario? Arguably not many. The jet won't be as economical on such a short sector as a TP, thus fares will most likely favour the competion. Their only chance to beat the competition is dependent totally on their repuation as the most reliable provider that always delivers and in a way that surpasses the competition. That's a big call! The jet, bit quieter & faster, won't help much.

What's really perplexing, why was there no marketing such as this in Gladstone when the aircraft was a clear success over the competition and yet in Tamworth there's a significant boost to the marketing effort but the aircraft is unsuited to the short sector & the market catchment is far smaller. Frequency is always critical for business travellers and I believe the 3 days/ week schedule will be less than well regarded.

[Horatio Leafblower]

I believe the 3 days/week is only an interim measure, with 5 days double daily starting early April.

Like you, I am waiting to see how Qlink responds. The on-carriage to Brisbane for them is significant, supporting their SYD-BNE as well as helping to fill the DHC8-400 TW-SYD.

The Council has indicated they are in a "pro-competition" mood, with a non-screened area of the terminal bulding mooted for the end of the year.

This alone suggests to me that Rex has been sniffing around.

[Nulli Secundus]

Fair comments Horatio.

Councils should encourage competition & I expect there is probably a lot of interest in this sector from the other two operators.

The website shows now a 3 days/ week schedule from April.

[Ejector]

Anyone know the history of the CHO's and HFO and what the culture is in the company towards pilots, or anyone else that would greatly effect a prospective pilot for wanting to work for them and being part of their team ?

JOHN SHEPPARD
Head of Flight Operations
http://www.jetgo.com/images/default-source/default-album/people5.jpg?sfvrsn=4 http://http://www.jetgo.com/images/default-source/default-album/people1.jpg?sfvrsn=8

JASON RYDER
Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder
http://www.jetgo.com/images/default-source/default-album/people1.jpg?sfvrsn=8

ARRON MULDER
Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder
http://www.jetgo.com/images/default-source/default-album/people2.jpg?sfvrsn=2

What are they like to work for ?

Not much on the net about them, well that could be a good thing actually :) Not famous for all the wrong reasons !!!!!! (maybe)

(PS, If you have a personal grudge over a peanuts I am not interested, only facts please, I don't know much about this new company and they look interesting. )


Image Source (http://www.jetgo.com/ourpeople), Official website

[slim pickings]

You'll go a long way to find a better bloke than the current HOFO.

[Ascend Charlie]

Ejector, put a picture of Nulli Secundus up there as the "Head of Marketing, would-be-if-I-could-be."

I know 2 of the 3 in the pix, and one of them astounds me with the depth of understanding he has of this industry. They don't go into RPT without giving it huge consideration. (And Nulli hadn't shown his hand at that stage, so they couldn't recruit him on the first intake.)

[BPA]

Ejector- Fiztroy Aviation.

[Ned Stark]

I can agree with Slim 100%

[DynaBolt]

I Remember Fitzroy well !!!
Dynabolt

[Justa Dash]

The sector length (BNE/tmw) is such that unless it operates at over 85% load factor won't even cover fuel and reserves.
A RPt between BNE/WEI and WEI/GLT could operate daily with good load/yield. And it's NOT a TP flight

[Horatio Leafblower]

Oh Justa. How negative.

They are all very experienced airline people. Everyone in the district is very hopeful and encouraging of their success.

[TBM-Legend]

Rural communities need frequency. It is not negative to identify that a jet is costly on a short route like this - it's reality,,

Seems that many here don't really understand this business. Punters don't suddenly show up just because you have a jet on such a short route..

[Horatio Leafblower]

Tamworth Council's numbers for Brindabella showed about 20,000 passengers per annum through Tamworth to/from Brisvegas.

That's a pretty good starting point I thought.

[Ned Stark]

I wonder which of those 3 pictures is Horatio:hmm:

[TBM-Legend]

Numbers of pax are only one part of the equation. What was the yield like? A J41/Metro is cheaper per seat on that leg than the 135. The 135 is a good aircraft but has bombed out in the regional market unlike its bigger sisters. Still driven by two chaps and or chapesses and an F/A....

[Ejector]

I don't care who is who, it is nice for once to see comments of confidence in key people for once, particularly on PPRUNE !!

For me, I have done some more research and this company is defiantly not for me, but that doesn't reflect on the key personal. I am fed up of moving due to chasing hours and the log book, there is always something aint there !!!

Good luck to them.

[tipsy2]

Haha, Ned, none of them and Horatio is uglier that all 3 put together.


Tipsy
(Sorry mate!)

[compressor stall]

None of them Ned. Unless he's had plastic surgery and application of aging cream!

[Horatio Leafblower]

Tipsy, CS... thanks. I think. :uhoh:

I suggest nobody here knows what sort of deal is behind these airframes and what sort of fixed costs the company is running.

How they massage the yield after that is up to them.

[Justa Dash]

Management should look at CNS-ABM, apparently 14k pax per annum and only an old SAAB just announced for the job. good sector length, load factor and yield. Jet with the speed and reliability edge would nail it

[Dogzbody]

You'll go a long way to find a better bloke than the current HOFO.

I couldn't agree more slim pickings. He's one of the best around.

As for the other two and most of the other management there, my mother told me if you haven't got anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

[Ned Stark]

So looking on Jetgo's Facebook page there's a picture of the first TW flight.https://m.facebook.com/JetgoAustralia/photos/a.127332784105303.22872.124228361082412/401443976694181/?type=1&source=46
Nice seeing the CEO (at least he looks like the bloke in the picture on page 1) sitting there looking like a passenger. Wonder how many other Jetgo employees were in the picture to make the flight look busier than it really was?? Perhaps they were going to do some door knocking before the return leg :D

[BPA]

Yep, that's JR in the picture on the right hand side. Remove him from the numbers and I see about 12-15 pax at best and that includes a few kids. Not a great start.

[Ned Stark]

Well perhaps they should've knocked on a few more doors and for longer than 1 afternoon.

[Horatio Leafblower]

Gees you lot.

What do you expect, 36 seats filled from the GetGo?

Most of you would have heard of Red Balloon - many of us work for companies that use it as a sales channel - here's an article from the founder which includes an insight into how long it takes for multi-million dollar successfulcompanies to get rolling.

Red Balloon (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/health-wellbeing/stuck-at-work-if-you-hate-your-job-it-might-be-time-for-a-change/story-fnr5f5xi-1227243800596)

[BPA]

Look at the history of this route, the only way to get good numbers on it is to include Armidale. Without Armidale you won't get anymore than 10-12 pax average per flight.

If there was money to be made on this route Q'link would be operating it, rather than ferrying the Dash 8's between Brisbane and Tawworth for maintenance.

[Nulli Secundus]

What is wrong with this marketing!!!!????

For goodness sake, hand out to staff free standby tickets to give away to family & friends so you can fill the plane, do a promo and market a proper launch.

Throw a 'lounge party', invite the mayor, get in front of cameras etc. A 1/3 full aircraft is a PR fail! It says, plenty of spare seats, no need to rush to search and book online. Never give customers an opportunity to change their minds.

Keep running promo's every week for 3 months and maybe then you may just reach a tipping point where the bookings become consistent and profit making.

After Roma and Gladstone, this is far from the launch you would have hoped for.

When do the 140's arrive? Surely Honeywell have supplied the necessary gear by now?

[TBM-Legend]

Was the flight to TW empty then?

[Ned Stark]

Ever heard 3 strikes you're out. Their track record isn't stellar. Do you really think that multi million dollar businesses get 3 cracks at the title? Firstly good management teams wouldn't let it get to 2 strikes without reassessing priorities and deciding if what they're trying to achieve is attainable.
Multi million dollar businesses rarely fail twice before striking it big, and if they do, they have a lot of financial backing and it certainly wouldn't be in the Airline business.

[drunk_pilot]

I've gotta say, I don't know why so many people get on here to give JetGo a hard time... Relax! There just has to be something better to do than be a negative, angry person on pwune! :)

[bagthrower]

And here comes Secundas, the Jetgo expert in marketing and airline operations .. Showing true form as to how little he really F*** knows.

Throw a 'lounge party', invite the mayor,

Funnily enough I'm still recovering from a hangover from a party that Jetgo had on the 19th in Tamworth at the SSS BBQ Barn, and guess what the mayor was the key guest, among others. Secundas, if you really have it this bad for JG, put your CV in

another link from their 'bad marketing

https://au.prime7.yahoo.com/n2/news/a/-/local/26478262/jetgo-touches-down-video/

[Justa Dash]

All sounds swell, it's not a jet sector, give Cairns/Bamaga a go.

[hiwaytohell]

All sounds swell, it's not a jet sector, give Cairns/Bamaga a go.

I expect they would have considered it when Simon was trying to bail, considering he shopped it to just about everybody.

However it would mean a new base, with similar fares for twice the distance.

TMW seems like a low risk option using existing crew and aircraft into a market well known by management.

Its good to see they are following Nulli's marketing advice :ok:

[TTY]

Virgin top dogs and pollie's at Tamworth now announcing TMW -SYD from May 26.

[chuboy]

Poor old Jetgo. VA's 6x weekly service isn't exactly going to blow their product out of the water but more competition will still be unwelcome I would think.

[Dogzbody]

Well if Virgin have popped the SYD-TAM cherry, it won't be difficult to throw an ATR on BN-TAM. JETGO won't win that battle. "Jet Schmet" people don't care. They want points with their cheap fares.

[hiwaytohell]

Interesting announcement still 3 months from start & dumping $85 fares.... I don't think Jetgo or TMW-BNE are even a consideration, maybe some slight collateral damage. Maybe!

This is very much a shot at Qantaslink, using Qantaslink's old tactics. It is not about making a profit, this is about taking enough pax away from the competition to deny them a profit.

Considering this is Eastern's home base, for VA to take a dump on their front step, the symbolism wont be lost. There is more to this story than just 6 x ATR services per week!

[Going Nowhere]

I doubt it is anything more than going where QLink currently has 100% of the market.

VA do BNE-BDB 6 or 7 times a week and it hasn't done much to QLink.

They also compete several times a day on BNE-EMD/MOV/GLT/ROK, not to mention SYD-CBR/ABX/PQQ/CFS.

SYD-TMW is about the only route in NSW where QLink has no competition.

[Hugh Jarse]

Is there any truth to the rumour that Eastern/QF threatened the council with the removal of the maintenance base should they permit a competitor to operate into TW?

Heard this about 12 months ago.

[The name is Porter]

How could they threaten that? ACCC gets a hold of that they are toast.

[Hugh Jarse]

I don't know. I imagine it would amount to anti-competitive behaviour.

It was just something I heard from a few sources and am interested to find out..........

It appears to not be that relevant now that VA will be operating the route, but is worthy of note.

[Horatio Leafblower]

This will be VERY interesting.

Narrabri has wanted to restore RPT services NBR-SYD since December 2013.

There has always been a segment of the market who preferred to drive over to Tamworth to get FF points, Lounge, baggage checked thru, cheaper fares etc.

If VARA are working on the route and fares plunge further, what's that going to do to the viability of the Narrabri route? :confused:

I am told that 3 airlines are courting the local council now (Jetgo, Pelican, Airlink maybe?).. we live in interesting times. :eek:

[Nulli Secundus]

If the two major airlines believe TW - SY will support 5-6 daily return services then arguably TW - BN is at least a 3-4 daily return market. A lowering AUD will assist the influx of overseas travellers to Australia but where does just Jetgo turn if either or both launch one or more services to BN ex TW?

This maybe a 'cheap' route to operate, definitely not a cheap route to compete on. With sub $100 tix on offer, the Jetgo hardware can't compete. Unlike GLA-SY, they have no comparative advantage ex TW. VA & QF will be watching their numbers closely and when the time is right, more than likely a new service will go up against JG. So how do they see off the competition and remain a competitive operator in this market?

An alliance of sorts with another operator could be one option. Moreover, the best chance to remain in the RPT market and hedge risk to some extent would be to become a contractor, ala Cobham & Alliance. Clearly they're not marketers but they can operate the hardware and from all accounts, do it very well.

As the only E135 operator in Australia, they have an instant comparative advantage provided they can open the minds of larger operators to see the benefits of the type at RPT on suitable sectors. Could this be Rex's easiest opportunity to morph into a jet operator?

JG have opportunities, but it won't be by just flying A to B. I really believe they're best chance is not as a stand-alone RPT outfit but still, the time is right to be in RPT due to the relatively low fuel costs and a low AUD. Most of all, to have real skin in the game & be able to influence a merger or acquisition, they have to gain some 'street cred', a network or a critical mass in RPT, & unfortunately TW-BN won't provide that foundation.

[TBM-Legend]

Dollar sinks = aircraft costs rising :uhoh:
[lease/insurance/engine reserves/parts/rotables/sim training/freight all in USD]

*also inbound tourists on TW-BN-TW, you have to be kidding..

[TBM-Legend]

All quiet!

[4 Holer]

TBM call your buddy NL in Las Vegas plenty of USD and Equipment hanging around over here -73F B75/76, living the American dream might throw a bit at Jetgo ......

[Ned Stark]

All Quiet
Too busy walking the streets drumming up business!:ok:

[InTheWeeds]

Any truth to the rumour they are opening three new routes?

Good news if they are.

[Horatio Leafblower]

Brisbane-Moree-Narrabri-SYD I would suggest

[tourismman]

BNE-CFS is calling out for a operator since Brindabella.It used to be 2 x daily J41'S .

[TT738]

Jetgo expanding ?

New routes to be announced this Thursday apparently.

[XPT]

Jetgo expanding ?

New routes to be announced this Thursday apparently. sure I read somewhere a few months back(can't find it now), that there were going to be new jet services to Albury & someone guessed it might be Jetgo, but think it was denied & then it appeared to be Alliance.


Albury hasn't had regular jets since VA pulled out their E-jets, I believe.

[Nulli Secundus]

Still with just three airframes?

[prm1]

Yes its Jetgo they are announcing Gold Coast to Canberra and Albury to Brisbane. They actually have 3 more 140's still stored in the US. I believe they are finally coming out in May

[XPT]

Yes its Jetgo they are announcing Gold Coast to Canberra and Albury to Brisbane. They actually have 3 more 140's still stored in the US. I believe they are finally coming out in May
OOL/CBR/ABX

[Ned Stark]

Don't always believe what you're told there champ

[red_dirt]

Lol champ.....

Why are you alluding to the fact they may not have the 140's in storage?

Work for the leasing company? No? Then how could you know!

Maybe they do maybe they don't or maybe they only have 1 in storage or maybe 2?

Not having a go just curious

[Ned Stark]

:ok:Good one red perhaps I know more than you. Or not since you're management.....

[red_dirt]

Do you remember that part when I said "not having a go, just asking"?

Well the funny thing is that I actually meant it. I'm genuinely curious that's all

If you want to just make smug remarks then that's fine lets play. Again was a genuine question.

You always seem to assume I work for Jetgo and as I have told you before....I don't but hey don't let the truth interfere with a good story inside your world. Bro I'm on the other side of the country to them

[Ned Stark]

Those 140s have been "coming" for 3 years..... Do some research and you'll find that out red ol boy

[red_dirt]

Lol "old boy" what is it with you and your inane terms of reference?

I'm aware that they have been "coming" and they may well be will still be coming but my question how do you know?

[XPT]

Any 140's arriving soon? Nearly end of May.

[Nulli Secundus]

Could the 20 June launch date be looking a little shakey? Is 3 weeks enough to import an airliner and have it approved to operate airline ops?

[Ned Stark]

Surprised??? Well since there's a 135 sitting lonely over by the mineralogy jets at BNE, I'd say not.

[Nulli Secundus]

Can you name the airline which will shut down operations on its newest route for a month because its 'swapping airports'? Who comes up with such a line expecting it to be a believeable explanation?

You stop flying, lose revenue & dump your loyal customers because you're changing airports? Now there's a brilliant business strategy.

[Ned Stark]

Too bad they just can't tell the truth. I hope the investors aren't fed the same BS.

[Nulli Secundus]

Still only three airframes on the CASA register. In 2 weeks Dubbo-Melbourne comes off suspension. But why the suspension anyway? Not, by chance, to get in on the significant charter work on offer from the Federal election?

Election July 2. Melbourne restarts July 3! No new airframes, but new destinations. Suspect a route to be dropped shortly?

[Ascend Charlie]

deleted, tired of responding to trolls.

[Going Nowhere]

NS,

They aren't doing any election work. The bulk is done by Alliance.

Check the new schedules post July 3, new schedule times means it works with 2 frames. 2 hard-working frames, but it works.

Why the beef?

[Nulli Secundus]

Going Nowhere, fair question but no beef as such. Just that if you see something in the public arena you don't agree with, could be done better or is even being done well, why not speak up. Nothing wrong with public review and public opinion, particularly if it leads to a better standard or service. That's all.

Let's face it, these guys have a great opportunity, are about as 'untouchable' as any new entrant is ever likely to be in the Australian commuter sector and they just don't seem to get out of first or second gear. We can debate the intricacies of their past two year performance but, unlike customers, business and investors reward results not effort. To be frank, I think this team can launch an airline, they can operate an airline, I'm not sure they can grow an airline. Contrary to the airline's earlier projection of a ten aircraft fleet, maybe this is now all they wish to operate, just three airframes. If so, don't be surprised if its not a long term play which would be an enormous, lost opportunity for competition and growth in Australian aviation.