Thought I would do a little FTB style chart. I was curious what the crew cost / seat of the narrow body fleet was, specifically I wanted to know why the 717 can be mainline but the CRJ-900 cannot. I used 2013 12 year CA rates and 6 year FO rates and $45 per hour for FAs (which was just a guess). Also, the CRJ-900 numbers are run at our 76 seat limit as well as an 84 seat configuration which could be flown at mainline.

Of course outsourcing to DCI would result in lower crew cost but just looking at Delta mainline numbers, on a per seat basis, the direct crew cost of mainline for the 717 and CRJ-900 appear to favor the CRJ-900. Perhaps we should look at outsourcing the 88 717s and in-sourcing the 325 >50 seat RJs (TIC)

I am sure Delta saves money in the outsourcing process so I propose that we allow a 1-1 ratio of 76 seat aircraft flown at DCI and Mainline. The subsidies from DCI will help Delta make more profit and we will get some much needed movement and upgrades. And by not buying the 717s Delta will save crew cost at mainline as well. Also, imagine the money savings when a high percentage of new hire pilots will already be type rated on our junior equipment.