Originally Posted by
tsquare
Line slots. When AMR ordered all those 737s... in BK... did they reeeeeally have the method to pay for them should they take on those orders? I would opine that they didn't. But what they then DID have were dedicated slots on Boeing's assembly line that were good to barter for cash or other things they needed.
True enough, although I think DL has more than enough flexibility to mitigate that. DL is set up to not "need" hundreds of back to back urgent delivery line slots in the first place. The 100 737-900ER order and options gave DL more than enough short to medium term slottage. Long term needs can be handled on a case by case basis. Both major manufacturers are ramping up production, and there are always tons or fake orders on the books from around the world that either won't ever pan out or that were sucked up by leasing companies or airlines hoping to deal away. Manufacturers will also be stuck with some and willing to deal. Plus I think they will easilly be able to "find" some, especially to sweeten the pot for other orders, etc.
DL will be able to get the planes it needs. Especially when DL is as flexibile as they are. More so than any other legacy airline anywhere it seems. I wouldn't worry about it. We got 88 problems, but slots ain't one.