Originally Posted by
flyguy23
60? No, only 37. That will be offset by additional 170s to be announced in the near future.
I highly doubt we are going to hear about additional flying in the near future. United recently wanted to increase the Q400 flying and Republic didn't even want to do that. Furthermore, BB and Co are desperatly trying to seek relief on the "absurd 1500 hour rule" (his words not mine). It seems that he believes his best bet at achieving this is finding reasons to cut flying to smaller cities (see the downsizing of CHQ). If he takes on more large jet "regional" flying (and the need for more pilots) it would be very difficult for him to make the case to Congress and the FAA that he needs the relief to ensure feed to small cities and not just feed into his wallet.