Originally Posted by
flyallnite
I would think there has to be more west coast based narrowbody flying in light of this development. I know Crew Resources said nothing in the cards but... c'mon...
You have to keep in mind why they open a new base. It's to reduce costs. We have 2 757 bases, 2 737 bases and a A320 base in the west. You have to crunch the numbers and decide if a SEA base will reduce your costs. If there is a cost reduction you then have to decide if you can get a bigger cost reduction by using your limited training capacity at another base. Lots of moving parts in those calculations and you have to add the variable of marketing changing their mind like I change socks. I think for the next 24 months they have decided where they are going to focus and put that out. After that perhaps something in the west. If they want a 717 base in the west it needs to happen before the deliveries are complete. Much cheaper to open a base with increasing block hours then to do it later and have to displace.