Comments on: What’s in a load factor? Yes, planes really are full these days.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:57:39 +0000

Hapgood August 11, 2009 at 10:45 am
Everyone repeat after me: “Amtrak! Greyhound! Road Trip! Staycation!”
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Just checked Amtrak. NYC to Orlando. $150 one way.
Just checked Jetblue: NYC to Orlando. $79 one way.

Repeat after me, sit on the train for 23 HOURS and for almost $70 dollars MORE!!!

By: Bill

Bill — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:39:01 +0000

Would be nice if they could eke out a good profit at those load factors. Profits make it far easier to run a business.

By: Hapgood

Hapgood — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:45:23 +0000

Everyone repeat after me: “Amtrak! Greyhound! Road Trip! Staycation!”

By: Steve M.

Steve M. — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:18:29 +0000

Yet even with 90% load factors, the airlines are still losing money. Kind of tells you that something else has to change, either higher base fares, or other cost reductions that haven’t already been taken. Maybe going back to some form of regulation would allow the airlines to stop competing each other to death.

By: Frank

Frank — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:03:17 +0000

And yes, many airline employees do actually commute to their jobs on their own airlines. It’s called “deadheading.” And while they, unlike paying passengers, can sometimes sit in a “jump-seat” in the plane’s galleys or cockpit, they will fill a regular seat if it’s available.
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Actually, it’s called non-reving. “Deadheading” pertains to a crewmember who occupies a seat, but is not working the flight. They are positioning for a trip downline. The seat is held from inventory for the crewmember and is NOT on a standby basis. You get paid for deadheading. Non-reving is using your flight benefits to get from point A to point B on a standby basis. (flying free)

Over the years, I’ve laughed at this comment: Planes are packed, packed to the gills. Well, that’s THE IDEA. Fill the plane up and try to make a profit out of it. Imagine that, just like any other business.