Originally Posted by
Sunvox
Sorry G, but I'm afraid we will have to agree to disagree.
1) If the company were to fly a CRJ-900 as a 76 seater they would be giving up an enormous amount of revenue and would be configuring them unlike industry standard. In a business where margins run 2 to 3% in a good quarter giving up 2 seats out of 78 is a huge revenue loss and no amount of cynicism about how management can act will convince me that that is about to happen.
Joe,
You said so yourself that the EMB 175 is certificated for a max of 88 seats. But they will be flown with 76 seats to meet the scope restrictions. So how hard is it to take a max certificated 90 seat CRJ 900 and make it have 76 seats. Hint hint Delta is already doing that, so that is the new industry norm.
Current year end 2013 70 seats aircraft flying equals 185 (32 Q400's/115 CRj 700's/38 Emb 170's). 153 76 seat aircraft are allowed before the scope choke line, with a max cap of 255 70+ seaters total allowed. So currently there is room for 70 of the 76 seaters to be added before that 255 number is reached.
For the life of this contract, I doubt we will see the scope choke apply. It will take 3+ years to even get those additional 76 seaters currently allowed, just based on the manufacturers delivery slots. By then we will be negotiating the next contract.
Beer is definitely a must, layover or not, and since you are senior to me, first round is on you.
G