Originally Posted by
TANSTAAFL
How many routes, formerly mainline NB are now flown by 70-76 seaters?
Now we hear that they'll be used to develop routes until they are profitable and we can put a NB on it? You mean the ones that used to be NB?
TANSTAAFL,
You are correct to question what you have been promised. Up gauging is not going to happen until we have the right sized, modern, competitive equipment available to us. A 1950's tech DC-9, or even 1980's tech derivative isn't it. Three factors work against us:
- The gigantic scope gap between 76 seats and 150. In reality a MD88 is more than twice the capacity.
- Sudden increases in capacity move the demand curve to the right. Prices fall significantly.
- The MD88 is more expensive to operate on a per seat basis.
Again, we must force Delta to invest in competitive equipment for its pilots to fly. When ALPA and Management tell us fairy tales about upgauging, we need to diplomatically interrupt them (or do it in the Q&A) and remind them of the truth.