Originally Posted by
What
The down side is senior pilot groups and better contract that anyone else out there and 80% of airplanes being 50 seaters.
The minute management comes after you guys for cuts, lit integration and such you will see the culture that makes SKW what it is die down and you will be just another regional but with a lot of 50 seaters. Look at Southwest, look at their culture and management hasn't touched compensation yet.
People keep coming on here mentioning that SKW Inc is just another regional with a bunch of 50 seaters. What they are missing is that INC is well aware that the 50 seat model is dying but knows there will still be a need for some 50 seaters in the future. If you ever listen to their earnings calls you would here them talk about this a lot. They are planning on being the company with the most 50 seaters that are left after all the cuts. They want to continue to be the premier 50 seat operator along with the addition of 70+ seaters. You saw this when they lost a good amount of 50 seat flying from DAL and were able to quickly place them with AA. They have said time and time again that they are confident in their ability to find other places for 50 seaters as they come offline from other carriers. Sure some of them will be parked for good, but SKW isn't stupid. DAL called for a reduction of 200+ 50 seaters from the system, SKW parked what, 63?....and they found other places for a majority of these aircraft. If 50% of the current 50 seaters are parked, there is nothing wrong with striving to operate 75% of the ones that are left. As far as the majors coming to SKW for cuts next, when you are the largest regional in the world, your operating costs tend to be a good deal less right off the bat. I'm certainly not saying they are exempt and won't feel any pain, I'm just saying that they have been smart managers to this point and I don't believe they will go quietly.