Originally Posted by
NVUS
Do those regionals own those aircraft, or do they have to bid on them every two years while their mainline partner plays the shell game with them?
Mainline partners play shell games with every regional. Even the mighty SkyWest. Yes, even SKW has to negotiate new terms for contracts and if you don't think downward pressure is felt by mainline partners at SKW you're in denial. This is exactly my point. The second you think your airline's sh&# doesn't stink you get hosed. Your company is not under any less of a threat than any other regional just because they own the planes. That's actually more of a liability. The way your management handles these pressures is key and obviously they've done a good job up to this point. Owning your own planes is a tiny fraction of the whole piece of the puzzle so lets not get too much tunnel vision.