Monarch - 3
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Monarch Enthusiast Days - The Real Story!
Well I see that the mere mention of the word "enthusiasts" has brought the usual band of snobs out of the woodwork. Why do you post such vitriol? Does it make you feel superior to the "enthusiasts" whom you criticise? What your postings actually do is highlight your own shameless bigotry for all other forum readers to see. And yet, in the light of your smears, you actually believe that readers here will adjudge YOU to be the smart ones. You are not smart. You are smug, judgmental and narrow-minded.
The photograph you criticise was taken at Hawarden [EGNR / CEG] on 2nd March 2012. This was a particularly blustery day and the trip participants dressed accordingly. That sounds like good sense to me. The tour featured visits around two Airbus wing assembly plants and a technical presentation by Airbus UK staff. The same group also toured Monarch Engineering at Manchester Airport later in the day. This was not a registration collecting exercise (not that I have a problem with those who enjoy that hobby); the content of the day was actually quite technical. Many of the participants on the trip were Monarch engineers and Airbus UK apprentices. The nature of the itinerary meant that many of the other participants attracted hailed from professional aviation and engineering backgrounds. Others included youngsters aspiring to a career in aviation.
I am not ashamed to confirm that I do feature in the picture, and I note that your comments deem me suitable for "care in the community". Well, thanks for that, but at least I'm not the one posting bigoted crap on here. I'd rather be judged by fellow readers for taking part in a highly informative technical aircraft construction and engineering day than for posting snobbery and bile on an aviation forum.
So, before you post any more judgmental crap about people you don't know, maybe you should pause to think what such ignorant postings tell readers about YOU. I can tell you that the calibre of participants on that trip was very impressive; I learned quite a bit from the nuclear engineer sat alongside me, for example. How bright are you, sneering boys? Do you think other readers will be impressed by your childish prejudice? No, you're not "enthused" by this amazing industry we are privileged to work in ... you're above all that! We get it ...
I am not ashamed to confirm that I do intend to be amongst the group planning to enjoy a comprehensive "behind the scenes" tour of Milano Malpensa Airport and ATC in early July. Toby's team at Monarch Airlines organise these trips exceptionally well. Maybe you would actually learn something useful by taking part in a trip like this rather than smugly scoffing from the sidelines at people who are every bit as good as you. And based on your bigoted postings, probably a lot smarter than you too.
The photograph you criticise was taken at Hawarden [EGNR / CEG] on 2nd March 2012. This was a particularly blustery day and the trip participants dressed accordingly. That sounds like good sense to me. The tour featured visits around two Airbus wing assembly plants and a technical presentation by Airbus UK staff. The same group also toured Monarch Engineering at Manchester Airport later in the day. This was not a registration collecting exercise (not that I have a problem with those who enjoy that hobby); the content of the day was actually quite technical. Many of the participants on the trip were Monarch engineers and Airbus UK apprentices. The nature of the itinerary meant that many of the other participants attracted hailed from professional aviation and engineering backgrounds. Others included youngsters aspiring to a career in aviation.
I am not ashamed to confirm that I do feature in the picture, and I note that your comments deem me suitable for "care in the community". Well, thanks for that, but at least I'm not the one posting bigoted crap on here. I'd rather be judged by fellow readers for taking part in a highly informative technical aircraft construction and engineering day than for posting snobbery and bile on an aviation forum.
So, before you post any more judgmental crap about people you don't know, maybe you should pause to think what such ignorant postings tell readers about YOU. I can tell you that the calibre of participants on that trip was very impressive; I learned quite a bit from the nuclear engineer sat alongside me, for example. How bright are you, sneering boys? Do you think other readers will be impressed by your childish prejudice? No, you're not "enthused" by this amazing industry we are privileged to work in ... you're above all that! We get it ...
I am not ashamed to confirm that I do intend to be amongst the group planning to enjoy a comprehensive "behind the scenes" tour of Milano Malpensa Airport and ATC in early July. Toby's team at Monarch Airlines organise these trips exceptionally well. Maybe you would actually learn something useful by taking part in a trip like this rather than smugly scoffing from the sidelines at people who are every bit as good as you. And based on your bigoted postings, probably a lot smarter than you too.
Last edited by Shed-on-a-Pole; 24th Jun 2012 at 01:59.
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With respect, walterthesofty, just read and analyse your reply for a moment. You start by saying that you are "laughing out loud". Why are you laughing, having been called out for a shameful and distinctly unfunny posting? But no - your posting is not the real problem, is it? I am the problem, because I have not "taken a chill pill". If you genuinely mean no offence to other contributors maybe you should think before you post. A straight apology might have done the trick; blaming the target of your abusive "off the cuff remark" for not appreciating the joke doesn't really cut it.
However, I will take you at your word that no offence was intended and thank you for the good wishes for the Italy trip.
However, I will take you at your word that no offence was intended and thank you for the good wishes for the Italy trip.
Join Date: Oct 2010
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Im LOL at your over the top rant at was as i said a "off the cuff remark," However as your clearly rather upset by my comment which was meant in jest, I offer a full apology for any offence caused to you or any other members of your happy band of enthusiasts
Join Date: Nov 2001
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Enthusiast trips
Forguve me if you dont agree but does this not seem like a very peculiar thing to be doing in the peak of the summer?
MON have been having enough issues keeping their program on track with out throwing enthusiast flights into the program?
Next thing I suppose someone will be telling me that these flights make money?
Bizzare!
MON have been having enough issues keeping their program on track with out throwing enthusiast flights into the program?
Next thing I suppose someone will be telling me that these flights make money?
Bizzare!
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The Monarch trip to Milan uses an allocated quota of seats aboard the existing scheduled services operating from Manchester and Gatwick; they are not dedicated flights. I believe that around 20 seats on each flight have been set aside for the tour group. As these scheduled services have been launched only recently, they may not yet be running with 100% load factors in any case, so the revenue raised is likely to be incremental to existing business. So it actually makes good sense all round.
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As MON are in the business of making money LL i doubt if these trips are only for the spotters benifit, they must have seen it as a way of generating extra revenue
Last edited by walterthesofty; 24th Jun 2012 at 14:53.
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I think that it is a brilliant idea, raising awareness of routes, filling seats and giving a few the chance of a really great day out. I certainly would consider a future trip even though I abandoned my note book and pen over 30 years ago. Once you have JET A1 addiction, it lasts a lifetime.
I notice that for bookings with Monarch, one must buy an Airpack or pay extra for a reserved seat, or check in at the airport - i.e. you can't pay just the base fare and checkin online.
Is this a ploy to encourage people to pay extra for ancillaries, or are Monarch's systems just unable to assign random seats for online checkin ?
I realise that Monarch has traditionally aimed at bucket-and-spade destinations rather than citybreaks, so passengers have historically been much more likely to have hold luggage and thus need to visit a check-in desk. With new destinations like Milan, Munich, Rome and Venice, Monarch is moving more into city break territory whose passengers tend to have luggage that fits in the cabin.
If a passenger has luggage, they need to visit a check-in desk to deposit bags anyway, so effectively are unable to avoid check-in queues, and are less incentivised to check in online as well when airport check in is free.
When a passenger genuinely has no luggage for the hold (and thus has no real need to visit a check-in desk), there is a stronger incentive to want to check-in online.
I'm curious as to what the likely all-in costs are for Monarch to perform an airport check-in compared to the potential £6 one-way revenue from a seat selection ancillary.
Anyone able to comment knowledgably ?
Is this a ploy to encourage people to pay extra for ancillaries, or are Monarch's systems just unable to assign random seats for online checkin ?
I realise that Monarch has traditionally aimed at bucket-and-spade destinations rather than citybreaks, so passengers have historically been much more likely to have hold luggage and thus need to visit a check-in desk. With new destinations like Milan, Munich, Rome and Venice, Monarch is moving more into city break territory whose passengers tend to have luggage that fits in the cabin.
If a passenger has luggage, they need to visit a check-in desk to deposit bags anyway, so effectively are unable to avoid check-in queues, and are less incentivised to check in online as well when airport check in is free.
When a passenger genuinely has no luggage for the hold (and thus has no real need to visit a check-in desk), there is a stronger incentive to want to check-in online.
I'm curious as to what the likely all-in costs are for Monarch to perform an airport check-in compared to the potential £6 one-way revenue from a seat selection ancillary.
Anyone able to comment knowledgably ?
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i.e. you can't pay just the base fare and checkin online.
By comparison, Jet2 charge £6 for on-line check-in which is additional to the seat charge (unless you are travelling with no bags) and a booking fee as well.
TSR - I completely see your point about Monarch's charges being more reasonable for passengers who want a bundle of services - seat selection + luggage + other stuff.
It looks however as if Jet2 genuinely prefer passengers to have minimal luggage and do as much of the check-in process online and leave only what's absolutely essential to an airport check-in desk. Presumably this is to keep labour and desk rental costs down and generally simplify their operation.
Monarch however in bundling seat selection and online checkin into a single package seem to say that they are happier for people to spend time at an airport checkin desk, because they see the profit from selling the seat selection + online checkin package far outweighs the cost of manually processing the cheapskates who do not want to pay for either item. In effect, it's a "either pay us some ancillary fees upfront or you will have a cr*p seat *and* need to be at the airport an extra hour earlier" message.
I'm trying to decide from an economics point of view which is the best model for an airline's profitability...
It looks however as if Jet2 genuinely prefer passengers to have minimal luggage and do as much of the check-in process online and leave only what's absolutely essential to an airport check-in desk. Presumably this is to keep labour and desk rental costs down and generally simplify their operation.
Monarch however in bundling seat selection and online checkin into a single package seem to say that they are happier for people to spend time at an airport checkin desk, because they see the profit from selling the seat selection + online checkin package far outweighs the cost of manually processing the cheapskates who do not want to pay for either item. In effect, it's a "either pay us some ancillary fees upfront or you will have a cr*p seat *and* need to be at the airport an extra hour earlier" message.
I'm trying to decide from an economics point of view which is the best model for an airline's profitability...
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In effect, it's a "either pay us some ancillary fees upfront or you will have a cr*p seat *and* need to be at the airport an extra hour earlier" message.
The last time I left seat selection to a computer it worked out fine. All six of us seated together across the aircraft but the family in front were not so lucky. Mother, father and four year old all seated on seperate rows. The crew were not really interested in sorting it out so passengers close by voluntarily moved around to accommodate the family.
Edit to add: not Monarch
Last edited by TSR2; 26th Jun 2012 at 20:47.
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As MON are in the business of making money LL i doubt if these trips are only for the spotters benifit, they must have seen it as a way of generating extra revenue
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New ZB Winter12/13 Services
MON are starting 3x weekly service to Innsbruck from MAN (ZB service) from December till April - So Winter Seasonal. A/C looks to be A320. Good news!
MON are starting 4x weekly service to Grenoble from LGW (ZB service) from December - again seasonal service!
MON are starting 4x weekly service to Grenoble from LGW (ZB service) from December - again seasonal service!
Join Date: Jan 2006
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BHX
Where are the two aircraft coming from for BHX in late July. I hear the BHX schedules are now showing one 733 and one 734.
Last edited by OltonPete; 28th Jun 2012 at 19:36.
Whilst I applaud Monarch's expansion at BHX, their time keeping has been very disappointing to say the least. Now Air Finland have gone, how are MON going to get a grip of their schedules and try to operate a normal flying programme under their own brand without having to subcharter all the time?