Originally Posted by
forgot to bid
So Sailing, could in ATL we see a shift towards mainline aircraft over RJs?
For instance there are some routes we're doing on the 88 lately that we've taken back from the RJs and they aren't necessarily full. Preemptive move away from competing with AAI with RJs so as to not flood the market with seats but establish a high number of seats for a market?
Sort of.
Remember though, that the CRJ700/900/1000 and E175/195 are not "regional jets" from an economic perspective. They are as efficient, if not more efficient on a sector and CASM basis than your MD88. They are "RJ's" by our definitions, but to an accountant there is no distinction with mainline equipment. The DC9's will be replaced with E175's CRJ900's and a few MD90's. Mostly the MD90's are going to be used to take cycles from the 757's.
We need to get them here (warts and all). It can be a cost neutral exchange. I hope bringing those on board is at least contained in our opener. We should be supporting American and Continental / United in this effort.