October 25, 2011

Direct Air news

not good
October 15, 2011
August 15, 2011
August 5, 2011

7 comments:

David Z. said...

Bill,

While I agree these 3 stories are not good, I wonder if you googled any airline in the US, you could find similar stories about mechanical problems, flight diversions due to weather, etc. In fact, in the 2nd article there is a quote, "This one is on us," Conrad said. "It's not Direct Air's fault."

I think what makes this stand out is the fact that it is the only airline flying to/from Worcester Airport. If MassPort would stop using the lack of an access road as their excuse and put in place better signage, customers would support other airlines. It will never approach Manchester or Providence levels but it certainly would support more airlines going to leisure destinations and business flights to New York City. Then things like these articles would not stand out.

Bill Randell said...

I hear you but for the number of flights (not many) they have to have this many problems in the past couple of months is not good.

Bottom line when they had brand new planes like Virgin, you did not see these problems.

Direct Air is leasing old planes that have more problems then new ones.

Jahn said...

Any compamy or individual that has to lease their equipment is generally in over their heads. They lease b/c no one will lend them the money to buy the equipment or in a few cases b/c some other airline has excess capacity and cant sell their old planes so they rent for the time being.

Again, IMO Massport has had about 10 yrs to tun around the airport. After taking ownership of it over a year ago, it still is an under utilized white elephant.

Another thing Worc had high hopes for has run aground on the shoals. Sorry, but it's time to face reality. FAce it, Worc got hoodwinked by Massport and any cargo haul road would be at least 5years just in the planning process b/c God knows how many spotted owls live in Leicester. Also Hot Dawg Annies and Spyder Gates may be considered Hysterical Landmarks :)

On another front CB&T has bought the Slater Building. Any chance they might re-do this building into a nice new HQ's for CB&T? It would sure be nice to see a private local company sink mucho $$$$$ into DT Worcester....and even nicer if the automobile tycoon doesnt come to city Hall looking for dineros. Interesting that they didnt opt for City SQ? Then again there may be other things going on behind the scenes. Time will tell.

Bill Randell said...

jahn

I was soo wrong on this... I truly thought MassPort would be directing flights to ORH

Instead they are doing nothing and are playing the access road card....

We gave the airport away, which I did not totallly agree with. We really should have put out an RFP for the entire airport . there are airport management companies out there.

But I fiured at leasat MassPport would be sending us flights. Now we will be used as a pawn to get an access road.

Steve Foley said...

Jahn said...

"Any compamy or individual that has to lease their equipment is generally in over their heads."

I disagree. Leasing allows Direct Air to have as large or small a fleet as they need on any given day without worrying about expensive assets sitting idle.

How many restaurants on Shrewsbury Street own the building they operate out of?

David Z. said...

Jahn said,

"On another front CB&T has bought the Slater Building. Any chance they might re-do this building into a nice new HQ's for CB&T?"

It is already their headquarters. They decided to buy it, rehabilitate the building possibly adding more space for Commerce Bank and aggressively seeking tenants for the remaining space.

This was covered in today's T&G.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20111026/NEWS/110269937

The momentum is building fast in Downtown Worcester!

Jahn said...

bILL, i AM NOT TRYing to spank you on this issue. :) I know b/c it's your blog you all too often end up being the "shock absorber" for everyone elses complaints. If you're feeling down on Worc, stop by Midas and get some new shocks :)

We've all been hoodwinked and we've all gotten excited about what Worc's future may hold for the airport and for business in general, BUT with each passing day, week, month, or year; I just have to think that we're going backwards. I do understand that sometimes it's 3 steps forward and then 2 steps backwards, but it's progress. Then again we're also fighting an economy that may well be in the tank for the foreseeable future...so it may not just be Worc.

What really perturbs me is that the CC is not askign any questions after a year of inaction on airport hill.


Steve said:

" I disagree. Leasing allows Direct Air to have as large or small a fleet as they need on any given day without worrying about expensive assets sitting idle.

How many restaurants on Shrewsbury Street own the building they operate out of? "


Steve I would bet that these are long term leases and that DA still runs the risk of idle airplanes. They may even be leased with option to buy. You dont think that DA is like a tenant at will in these leases that allows them to just hand the plane back on a 30 day notice b/c business is slow for a few months?

Steve I dont know how many Shrews St restaurants own their real estate but I do agree w/you that many are are PROBABLY leased/rented. That said, they may not own their site b/c the owner(s) will not sell and real estate sites, unlike airplanes are each unique and there is no way to run a sHrews St eatery, by buying real estate, for example, on Main St. Airplanes are similar to being a commodity that can be acquired from a multitude of suppliers. Shrews St Real estate has a very finite supply.

The restaurantuer is forced to rent/lease on Shrews St through no choice of his own if he wants to be part of Shrews St dining experience.

ALso please note I said companies who lease Equipment not real estate.

Dam i guess yesterday afternoon was one day I shoulda tuned into David's amigo, Jordan. I guess he lambasted Palmieri. Not sure abut what, but I think I could venture a few good guesses. Anyone who has that unique call on tape
...well I'd pay well to lease it for 15 mins.