Originally Posted by
higney85
To add on, been here a decade. From street CA's in 2006, to the 2008/09 financial crisis, to a failed TA (for a couple carriers), merger of 3, to industry leading JCBA, to chapter 11, to becoming wholly owned, through a massive shrinkage (don't get dirty, be a professional), to a bankruptcy JCBA garnering new airplanes and a resurgence of past, things are good now. In the end, we have -900's leased through 2019, -200's coming out of the desert with the lowest hours and cycles, and oil futures through 2021 not moving more than $4, wiggle room added, from the current spot price (43.19 at cboe close with a $48 flat 2021 future on the same exchange). That's a massive grammatical fragment, and I don't apologize.
Delta, as evident by other carriers, realize that the regionals have to fight to attract and retain talent. Delta isn't stupid, they do what is needed, when needed. So far, they lead the pack, and they only have 9E to cover the feed by hands-on control. Every other carrier works on RFP basis. If you, as solely a generalization, took business classes in college, the idea of supply/demand is understood. Step back and take a look. I have no basis of gain and already have my escape planned, but take a look from a 3rd person viewpoint. We have upgrades coming from the June 2016 class. Others senior will upgrade with time, but you can't argue the facts.
Airplanes stopped coming not by staffing, it was by hours. Fall is a low point. Holidays can do short term ramp ups, look at FDX for a model, but the next group shows up for more flights to start in the spring on the -200 with fuel already hedged at under $50/barrel. The -200 dies above $80/barrel on block hour. That basis comes from playing futures, the market, and actually seeing the planning figures. Only variable is pilots to fly it. That's a pure S/D metric. Hope everyone reading this can understand that chart metric. Not saying carriers working under other majors won't see the same success, but endeavor is under a strong veil with a tipped hand of ensuring feed. That's a good thing for 9e.
But hey, what do I know.