Originally Posted by georgetg

You are absolutely correct. It's just the characterization of these ratios and what they do that is incorrect. And it is important to point out that the ratios represent a minimum "safety net." there is nothing to prevent Delta from adding more mainline flying.

I do think its important to put into real prespective what realistic gains are achievable with the ratios and I'm afraid expectations are being set up such that the final ratio should we ever need it falls well below what pilots expected.

Most likely DCI will see a reduction in block hours (my rep hinted at that). That means the actual mainline block hour gain gain will be less than what the ratio increase from 1.19 to 1.56 would suggest.

Easy example:

100 DBH (1)
119 MBH (1.19)
Ratio 1.19 MBH to 1 DBH (this is where we are right now)

reduce DCI by 25%
80 DBH (1)
117 MBH (1.56)

So if we add 70 more 76-set jets at DCI and reduce their block-hours by 25%, the minimum mainline block-hours required will be nearly 2% less than we have today.
Because we have a ratio, a higher reduction in DCI block hours results in a lower baseline for mainline.

I'll leave it up to each individual to define "significant."

Cheers
George