Originally Posted by forgot to bid

The question is whether they could happily squeeze another 2 rows into a CR9? If so then the argument for allowing it is under constructive engagement.... they're not ordering new planes... makes them more profitable which goes right back into your pocket (same reason to allow more 76ers last year)...you're not losing mainline pilot seats because of it you're just allowing airplanes already being flown to be more profitable...

Originally Posted by slowplay

That wasn't the reason.

Management wanted out of a bunch of 50 seat CRJ. They were under contract to DCI carriers for flying and had ownership costs and network commitments that needed to be addressed. Adding the B717 was one component of the network, but they had to find a way to get out of 50 seat contracts and ownership costs. The additional 40 76 seat jets with options for 30 more (i.e. the 70 allowed) that they've ordered were used to "buy out" the contracts that they otherwise would have been unable to get out of.

Because of management's need we got a fleet size and block hour collar put around DCI, among a whole bunch of other things.

It is puzzling to me why folks misrepresent what the deal actually was and why it was available at that time.