Virgin Atlantic Usa ?
Thread Starter
Virgin Atlantic Usa ?
Newspaper says Delta Airlines president leaving to head up new startup called Virgin USA. A USAir contact thinks they'll bust off a chunk of USAir to make up the new airline. Any more thoughts, rumors, secret poop on this subject out there ?
Thread Starter
VIRGIN USA
SFO was one of the possibilities listed in the newspaper article I read. But, wouldn't they want to feed their own trans-Atlantic flights ? Does Virgin do much int'l flying from SFO ?
Thread Starter
Virgin Atlantic USA
Yes, I'd also heard about BOS. My main interest was where the pilots and airplanes were coming from. My USAir buddies have believed for a long time that their airline would be sold off in pieces. Maybe the Virgin is going to get a piece !!!
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Most of what you hear/read is a smoke screen. Yes, Branson has been looking at various US carriers but he has never made a secret that he wishes to go alone (he has the resources to do this)and do this from scratch. Frankly, the vast majority of US carriers have little to offer him. Investors are lining up at his door, so I think he will be able to pick and choose which route he wants to take.
Why on earth would he want to take on someone else's debt and problems when he could easily start from scratch. Having said that, the US is NOT the same as Australia where it was relatively easy to set up Virgin Blue upon the demise of Ansett. Take a look at the numer of diverse businesses he runs globally. I think you can count on one hand how many have failed or don't make a profit.
They already have a senior management team set up in the US and as a shrewd businessman, he is bound to look at all viable options. However, my bet is...expect a few surprises down the road. This is one guy who knows how to run an airline/business and surrounds himself with talented people, not golfing buddies.
All of the cities mentioned are major US international gateways. And yes, VS has flights into all of them, at least one daily, if not more. Heck, they even fly into LAS 3 times a week.
Why on earth would he want to take on someone else's debt and problems when he could easily start from scratch. Having said that, the US is NOT the same as Australia where it was relatively easy to set up Virgin Blue upon the demise of Ansett. Take a look at the numer of diverse businesses he runs globally. I think you can count on one hand how many have failed or don't make a profit.
They already have a senior management team set up in the US and as a shrewd businessman, he is bound to look at all viable options. However, my bet is...expect a few surprises down the road. This is one guy who knows how to run an airline/business and surrounds himself with talented people, not golfing buddies.
All of the cities mentioned are major US international gateways. And yes, VS has flights into all of them, at least one daily, if not more. Heck, they even fly into LAS 3 times a week.
Thread Starter
Virgin Atlantic USA
It's hard to draw any valid conclusions when my info comes from the ATL fishwrapper. It DID say that Fred Reid would likely leave Delta to go with the Virgin startup here in the USA. Reid may be a great businessman, but it's hard to tell what he did for Delta while he was here. Can't blame him for jumping ship...that's what I did in Sept after 30+ years. It'll be interesting to see how another startup fares in the USA airline world of low-cost competition. Branson is, in fact, pretty shrewd so maybe the big players had better watch out. All the UAL, AMR, DAL, NWA's need is ANOTHER low-cost carrier to battle.
As for the USAir guys hoping that a portion of their operation will be the nucleus of Virgin USA..............dream on fellas.
Branson has only once taken over an existing operation (in Belgium), and has regretted it ever since. He likes fresh people with fresh ideas, not the we-used-to-do-it-this-way-at-XYZ types, and the sort of salaries he will be offering will be well short of what USAir pay. There certainly won't be any scope clauses, no guarantee of a seniority system and many other 1950's-type ideas (even though we all love them) will be absent from the contract.
Having said that, it will be a fun place to work, with everyone upbeat about growth (inevitable) and committed to providing jaded US travellers with a new type of travel experience. The average age of staff, particularly cabin crew, will be about half that of the incumbent carriers, and even the uniforms will be a departure from the norm.
If you get a chance, join the team.
Branson has only once taken over an existing operation (in Belgium), and has regretted it ever since. He likes fresh people with fresh ideas, not the we-used-to-do-it-this-way-at-XYZ types, and the sort of salaries he will be offering will be well short of what USAir pay. There certainly won't be any scope clauses, no guarantee of a seniority system and many other 1950's-type ideas (even though we all love them) will be absent from the contract.
Having said that, it will be a fun place to work, with everyone upbeat about growth (inevitable) and committed to providing jaded US travellers with a new type of travel experience. The average age of staff, particularly cabin crew, will be about half that of the incumbent carriers, and even the uniforms will be a departure from the norm.
If you get a chance, join the team.
Thread Starter
Virgin Atlantic USA
WOW,chimbu warrior, got any venom left after THAT bite ??? The speculation about USAir being a part of Virgin USA was just that...speculation. And that from an EXTREMELY small number of people. As for "...dream on..." That's probably just what these guys are doing...dreaming of a rescue from decades of predatory management and their necessary, but defensive reaction to it. Believe me, Bubba, they entertain NO frigging fantasies about having scope, guarantees, seniority, or 1950's ideas...they just want to provide for their families and long-term futures after giving their entire adult lives to USAir. You certainly have a future in management. And, P.S....have a nice day.
Last edited by bafanguy; 5th Mar 2004 at 19:00.
