American Airlines Files for Bankruptcy Protection and I'm not shocked.

     Well one of the more widely known airlines has filed for bankruptcy protection. American Airlines filed for protection over last week, but the news didn't surprise me at all. In fact I saw this coming for a long long time. We all have a niche that we enjoy, and know all kinds of facts about that specific niche. My particular nerdy confession is my vast knowledge in airlines and their fleet of equipment they fly, as well as nerdy NASA stuff as well as trains. So what does all of this have to do with AA filing for protection?

     American Airlines flies some of the oldest planes around in the commercial airline industry. They still have intact a whole fleet of MD-80 jets. These jets were introduced in the 1980s and are fuel inefficient. Most other airlines fly more modern fleet, which include wingtips for added fuel efficiency. AA does have modifications on their boeing 737 and 757 aircraft but don't have any modifications on their MD-80 aircraft since this model can't support the modifications.

     Take a look at the airline industry leader here in the US. Southwest Airlines flies a modern 737 fleet and most of its fleet has the wing-lets for added efficiency. In addition, their ability to fly only one type of aircraft allows for better efficiency from a mechanical standpoint since inventory for only one type is needed whereas inventory of other aircraft parts is needed at American Airlines.

     Another airline company that I'm skeptical on based on the same theory is Delta. Now Delta Airlines in recent times went through its big acquisition of Northwest Airlines. But there's only one problem...both airlines also fly the same old MD-80 aircraft. Worst yet...Northwest Airlines even flies the DC-9 aircraft. Northwest had recently revamped their DC-9 fleet but still the aircraft are not fuel efficient. The only real efficient aircraft in the entire fleet are the airbus aircraft and boeing 757 aircraft they fly. Delta flies the newer 737 model as well as airbus equipment.

     So when will the airliners get it? But what can they really do? Not like they can sell the aircraft. Who would they be able to sell it to? Sell it for scrap? Perhaps...but what would that really cost? So there is sense in remaining to use the older fleet. But at some point, the operating costs will catch up to the airline company and that will penalize the consumers. Meanwhile, with it's leading customer service and the leaders in cost savings, Southwest continues to soar on fuel efficiency.

Yankees 2011 Season Preview -- Pre-Spring Training Edition

Well it has been quite the off-season for the Yankees! Going into this off-season, many believed the Yankees would sign Cliff Lee and be on their way towards an energized 2011. But that certainly has fallen short. The day Cliff Lee decided to sign with the Phillies was an upper-cut blast to the jaw of the Yankees for their future plans. 

They re-signed their captain/franchise in Derek Jeter, re-signed their HOF closer Mariano Rivera, signed Rafael Soriano, signed Pedro Feliciano, signed Russell Martin, AND THEN...signed Mark Prior, Bartolo Colon, and Freddy Garcia. 

As of this point, the Yankees certainly have a good lineup, and have a hell of a bullpen. But the starting rotation will either sink the Yankees very quickly or keep them afloat long enough for Brian Cashman to pull the trigger on a trade to grab a #1 or #2 quality arm. As of now I do not believe this is a playoff team. They still will be very competitive and be very good, but as of right this second the Red Sox are the leaders on paper out of the AL East. On a side note, after this off-season, Red Sox fans have NO right to pull the "Yankees buy championships" liner after the amount of money they just spent this off-season! They are just as guilty of pouring money out. 

So as of now, Yankees are JUST short of making the playoffs in my eyes. But they are one trade away, in my opinion, of being a real contender. 

If you want a neat little prediction from me, I can see the bombers going out and getting Josh Johnson! Why you ask? Well the Marlins traditionally do not keep and pay off their talent. I know the Marlins just signed him to a lengthy deal last season, but if another team will take that contract off their hands, I can see the Marlins allowing that to happen, especially if they still have Hanley Ramirez as a marketing tool for that organization. 

So there's my predictions and vision so far. I'll be posting more stuff as we move closer to opening day! Feel free to leave comments! GO YANKS!!!!