Originally Posted by
alfaromeo
We have 30 MD-90's replacing 21 DC-9's, so take another shot. I'll give you a hint, the B-717's are replacement aircraft, they are replacing 50 seaters. That is the whole impetus of this deal, 50 seaters go away, 70 and 76 seaters downscale to those markets, B-717's fill in for the 76 seaters.
The logjam is the 50 seat lift. Without this TA, that logjam will prohibit this whole conversion. With the TA, it removes a lot of DCI lift and replaces it with mainline lift. That is why this TA creates the conditions to add about 1,000 mainlne jobs. That is why Flight Ops just announced they will probably start hiring pilots this winter. That is why the MEC decided to pursue this option.
Alfa,
You bring up an interesting point. 717s to replace 50s and the 76 seaters can't come on until the 717s are bought. Now is it when they are bought or when they begin service?
The other part that I find coincidental, and I don't believe in coincidences, is MGMT is now telling us we'll need to hire sooner rather than later after the past weeks angst about continued stagnation etc. If both MGMT and my "union" are trying to sell me on a deal, it must be good for the pilots, right?