FlyBe - 6
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For me this last post (by B Fraser) really sums up what has gone wrong for Flybe. There have been so many times when I would like to have taken their flights but the price has always been too high. So now I just tend to forget them. And I'm a bit of an airline industry nerd so what about all of those who just wanted to fly somewhere...?
Join Date: Apr 2010
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BF
You don't appear to be a regular flyer and I think you might be letting your preconceptions or prejudices get in the way of rational judgement.
First of all, although I don't like the Dash, mainly because of the noise and vibration, I think you should be aware that you can get a normal IATA sized suitcase in to the overhead bins (sideways but in, nonetheless). More or less the same with the Emb jets. I've done it many times.
Furthermore FlyBe's approach to cabin bag control is more friendly, sensible and practical than the Bag-Snatch Squads employed by EZY, RYR et al.
Secondly EZY now offer allocated seating so you don't have to join the scrum to board.
You have clearly already decided to go with EZY from BRS so why use the forum as an excuse to have an un-necessary go at an airline that is in some trouble? If they ever were to disappear, we would all be worse off.
Try and be a bit more sensitive to those who work there and might be worried about their futures.
You don't appear to be a regular flyer and I think you might be letting your preconceptions or prejudices get in the way of rational judgement.
First of all, although I don't like the Dash, mainly because of the noise and vibration, I think you should be aware that you can get a normal IATA sized suitcase in to the overhead bins (sideways but in, nonetheless). More or less the same with the Emb jets. I've done it many times.
Furthermore FlyBe's approach to cabin bag control is more friendly, sensible and practical than the Bag-Snatch Squads employed by EZY, RYR et al.
Secondly EZY now offer allocated seating so you don't have to join the scrum to board.
You have clearly already decided to go with EZY from BRS so why use the forum as an excuse to have an un-necessary go at an airline that is in some trouble? If they ever were to disappear, we would all be worse off.
Try and be a bit more sensitive to those who work there and might be worried about their futures.
Join Date: Feb 2012
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Whispering Giant
I don't think that is a fair assessment of the Q400. I fly it and I am sure I know who you are and if it spends more time tech than it does in the air then I am sure the new CEO would be on it like a wolf on meat and I would spend more time on the ground as well. I can assure you I have not been tech in a significant amount of time. The fact of the matter is that the Dash8, even with dispatch reliability alot higher than what you have stated, is alot cheaper to run than the Ejets. If it wasn't then the Q400 would be grounded wouldn't it. There's a reason why it is rumoured that the jets are being grounded, and that is they are too expensive. Yes the sunshine routes may make money, but as someone alluded to up above, there is not alot of yield when you are operating them on domestic routes, which probably make up 80% of the Ejet's flying. We have to think outside the Exeter bubble and see what is really happening around the network.
"Artic" Monkey
p.s. for those of you who think a Q400 is loud, try flying on a J41/ATR42/S340/Trilander
I don't think that is a fair assessment of the Q400. I fly it and I am sure I know who you are and if it spends more time tech than it does in the air then I am sure the new CEO would be on it like a wolf on meat and I would spend more time on the ground as well. I can assure you I have not been tech in a significant amount of time. The fact of the matter is that the Dash8, even with dispatch reliability alot higher than what you have stated, is alot cheaper to run than the Ejets. If it wasn't then the Q400 would be grounded wouldn't it. There's a reason why it is rumoured that the jets are being grounded, and that is they are too expensive. Yes the sunshine routes may make money, but as someone alluded to up above, there is not alot of yield when you are operating them on domestic routes, which probably make up 80% of the Ejet's flying. We have to think outside the Exeter bubble and see what is really happening around the network.
"Artic" Monkey
p.s. for those of you who think a Q400 is loud, try flying on a J41/ATR42/S340/Trilander
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Artic Monkey,
8 out of the last 9 fire brigade call outs at BHX have been to Dash 8s with undercarriage issues about to land.
Fortunately non have been serious, but these incidents, and the debacle of past undercarriage issues in the SAS fleet, turn to chinese whispers.
The perception, although I think it wrong and unfair at BHX anyway, is that the Dash 8s are a bit of a nail !
8 out of the last 9 fire brigade call outs at BHX have been to Dash 8s with undercarriage issues about to land.
Fortunately non have been serious, but these incidents, and the debacle of past undercarriage issues in the SAS fleet, turn to chinese whispers.
The perception, although I think it wrong and unfair at BHX anyway, is that the Dash 8s are a bit of a nail !
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Artic Monkey - you just need to check the daily tech a/c in AIMS to show you the picture, everyday between 5-8 Dash's tech, thats between 10-15% of the Dash fleet. Says it all really.
Think I've only seen a Embraer on there maybe once or twice over a 2 month period !!.
Also the paying public dont want to travel on the Dash - they continually tell us so on there feedback questionairs. There just forced into it.
If the Dash 8 is such a wonderfull machine - why is it that no other European operator is ordering them for there fleets. In Fact Bombardier are having to cut back severly on the build rate. At there current production rate all back order will be completed by Easter 2015 with no further orders forthcoming - because no-one is buying them any longer.
Think I've only seen a Embraer on there maybe once or twice over a 2 month period !!.
Also the paying public dont want to travel on the Dash - they continually tell us so on there feedback questionairs. There just forced into it.
If the Dash 8 is such a wonderfull machine - why is it that no other European operator is ordering them for there fleets. In Fact Bombardier are having to cut back severly on the build rate. At there current production rate all back order will be completed by Easter 2015 with no further orders forthcoming - because no-one is buying them any longer.
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That doesn't mean it's unreliable. Hell we all know the ejet is more reliable, that's a given, but the dash is obviously where Flybe make most of their money even though it is deemed to be unreliable, and I think that is where the company focus is right now.
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But WG, where is the most money made and where is the most % profit per seat made? The company strategy is revealing this wouldn't you agree?
I check the daily tech page quite alot, yes there's dashes on the but there are jets too. Yes the jet is more reliable (well the 195 is) which is a fact, but which makes the most money? whichever way we argue the toss over this, that will, and is the deciding factor.
I check the daily tech page quite alot, yes there's dashes on the but there are jets too. Yes the jet is more reliable (well the 195 is) which is a fact, but which makes the most money? whichever way we argue the toss over this, that will, and is the deciding factor.
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Ejet v Q400
Truth is that the E175 burns slightly more go-juice than a Q400 but costs less to finance and less to operate overall because of less downtime, spares, and disruption. It is a superb aircraft - indeed probably the best aircraft in the world for the kind of high frequency domestic and short international routes that Flybe specialise in. Why do you think BA Cityflyer use nothing else and you can't tell me BA don't know about aircraft operating economics!!
The Embraer 175 is the best decision Flybe has made in a long time when used on the right route...
The Embraer 175 is the best decision Flybe has made in a long time when used on the right route...
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Desk pilot
But the rumour is the 195 is to be removed. The economical argument doesn't hold water for the 175 because if the rumour is to be believed, the 175 is staying.
I sincerely hope everything stays and everyone keeps their jobs, but sadly it isn't going to happen, my job included.
But the rumour is the 195 is to be removed. The economical argument doesn't hold water for the 175 because if the rumour is to be believed, the 175 is staying.
I sincerely hope everything stays and everyone keeps their jobs, but sadly it isn't going to happen, my job included.
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Quote<<p.s. for those of you who think a Q400 is loud, try flying on a J41/ATR42/S340/Trilander>>Quote
Have been on all all of those except the Trislander but have been on the Islander - epically noisy. But that misses the point, Dashes - and turboprops more generally are unpopular with paying punters.
Last trip on a Dash last week whilst walking through the gate at MAN, one of the two guys behind me said, and I quote verbatim "
, it's got propellers'.
Made me smile anyway.
Have been on all all of those except the Trislander but have been on the Islander - epically noisy. But that misses the point, Dashes - and turboprops more generally are unpopular with paying punters.
Last trip on a Dash last week whilst walking through the gate at MAN, one of the two guys behind me said, and I quote verbatim "
, it's got propellers'.Made me smile anyway.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Why do you think BA Cityflyer use nothing else and you can't tell me BA don't know about aircraft operating economics!!
The Embraer 175 is the best decision Flybe has made in a long time when used on the right route...
Desk-pilot is online now Report Post Reply
The Embraer 175 is the best decision Flybe has made in a long time when used on the right route...
Desk-pilot is online now Report Post Reply
Tabs please !
BF
You don't appear to be a regular flyer and I think you might be letting your preconceptions or prejudices get in the way of rational judgement.
You don't appear to be a regular flyer and I think you might be letting your preconceptions or prejudices get in the way of rational judgement.
I think you should be aware that you can get a normal IATA sized suitcase in to the overhead bins
You have clearly already decided to go with EZY from BRS so why use the forum as an excuse to have an un-necessary go at an airline that is in some trouble? If they ever were to disappear, we would all be worse off.
Pilot of the Airwaves
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I'll be using Virgin Cross Country.
Virgin do not own or operate the Cross Country franchise. It is owned by Arriva, who have operated the franchise since 2007, when they took over,unfortunately and for the worse in my opinion, from Virgin.
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Well if TPs are so great why is the much highly regarded BA farming out the IOM ops to a S20? How do 'premium' carriers like Eastern, Porter and Skywork survive?
I remember when the SYY-EDI route was operated by a TP. A competitor started, charged up to 50% less. Yet people didn't suddenly switch. The jet lasted less than two years. Despite it being cheaper, and a jet. People may prefer a jet, but I doubt many people change their plans based on what equipment is used.
I have my favourite types but I go for price and schedule, as do most.
I remember when the SYY-EDI route was operated by a TP. A competitor started, charged up to 50% less. Yet people didn't suddenly switch. The jet lasted less than two years. Despite it being cheaper, and a jet. People may prefer a jet, but I doubt many people change their plans based on what equipment is used.
I have my favourite types but I go for price and schedule, as do most.
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Small correction if you'll permit me: BA flies E-170s and E-190s, not E-175s or E-195s, neither of which are LCY-certified. I believe from the Investor Day presentation last week that they are getting 3 additional E-190s.
Join Date: Oct 2004
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B FRASER
I can quote you the price of breakfast at Bristol Airport from memory ! It's nothing to be proud of.
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I flew Flybe MAN to Exeter on Friday in a Q-400, I wasn't carrying any form of luggage, just a wallet, mobile phone, memory stick and a pen. I needed to get from A-B on time, and I couldn't care less about coffee, noisy props or max cruising speed. The experience was all just fine for me in the context of my needs that day. It wasn't overly noisy, I was comfortable and the cabin crew were exemplary.
I have suffered in the past at the hands of Michael O'Leary and his "Any time will do, you only paid £3 for the ticket" approach and the Easyjet Baggage Taliban.. its all relative and much of a muchness in terms of Low cost travel. As I read the Flybe strategy, they do not want to be an LCC though..??
Instead of moaning about being able to find an airline that meets all of your varying needs, simply choose a carrier which meets your needs on any given day.. its not difficult.
Beef -
I thought a simple hip flask was de rigeuer for you..? Have you moved into Customer complaints division?? 
I have suffered in the past at the hands of Michael O'Leary and his "Any time will do, you only paid £3 for the ticket" approach and the Easyjet Baggage Taliban.. its all relative and much of a muchness in terms of Low cost travel. As I read the Flybe strategy, they do not want to be an LCC though..??
Instead of moaning about being able to find an airline that meets all of your varying needs, simply choose a carrier which meets your needs on any given day.. its not difficult.
Beef -
a laptop bag stuffed with books and papers will not fit
a laptop bag stuffed with books and papers will not fit
I have an overnight bag, into which I can fit laptop, notebook and enough clothes/personal hygiene items for an overnight stop, which complies with Flybe's measurements and fits (just) into the overhead bins on the Q400.
I actually find the Q400 perfectly fine for the trips I have been on in it. You always have a window or an aisle, the view out is good (due to high wings) and legroom is better than some charters I have been on.
As for noise and vibration, after many years sat in the back of C130's, the Dash is like a peaceful haven by comparison.
It does seem to be a bit of a challenge to land smoothly though ;-)
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It does seem to be a bit of a challenge to land smoothly though ;-)
