Originally Posted by
slowplay
It was asked. The MEC looked at the numbers to try and make the operation cost-competitive on mainline. It would have been a horrendous B-scale. The one-time startup costs, pilot contract costs, and other related costs completely outstripped savings on the DCI margins. We even looked at adding seats into the aircraft that were capable of higher density, and there wasn't enough revenue to offset mainline expenses at our current costs (pre-TA).
That is so disingenuous that it's nearly PURE BS. LEC resolutions have asked for this study many times and you unelected MEC bureaucrats have steadfastly refused.
Furthermore, negotiations is NOT about making us cost competitive with some bottom feeding regional. Negotiations is about first wanting something as the objective, then spending capital as necessary to make it happen. Unbelievable.
The FACT is that your MEC and sadly, MEC's before you DO NOT WANT this flying at mainline for whatever sick and twisted reason. Moak used to say that kind of flying was beneath the mainline pilot. I'm afraid that arrogant legacy lives on.
Carl