Originally Posted by
BSOuthisplace
From what I'm hearing over here at PDT, DCA and PHL were a done deal for us, you guys would move most of your ops to ORD. They almost made an announcement a few weeks ago then something threw a wrench in the works and the announcement was postponed. Now I'm hearing all sorts of rumors like PDT might take over in ORD or another LAA hub, and AWAC will stay put. The people I talk to in the know are saying they have no idea what's going on now. If I had to guess I think it will come down to what AWAC management will accept. There are a lot of costs associated with relocating the operation to ORD, and with their long term future with AA uncertain they probably don't want to make that investment.
In the absence of a long term deal (5 years at least I'd guess) I would think the owners will not make that kind of investment unless they are forced to do so and I'm sure the contract with US/AA includes all kinds of contingencies like base closures and who might pay for this.
As mentioned, anyone who came here thinking the four bases we now have would be permanent is delusional. ORD was as much a 'fortress' base for AWAC as it's possible to have and ATW was open from Day 1 of the company. And suddenly everything changed.
Nothing is ever permanent in this business.
I could see ORF changing someday but that will take a seismic change at the company because they have a lot invested in the MX facility and finding a new hangar might not be so easy, though the MKE hangar is underutilized.