Originally Posted by
AltoCumulus
Because Alaska is in the unique (if not unique, then definitely rare amongst majors)position of not having any seat number language (all flying over XX seats go to mainline), we need to also be concerned about getting outsourced on the top also. Is it really so hard to envision Alaska management ordering 20 787's and then contracting ANA or Omni to fly them?
...If right now AS decided to get wide-bodies, or if we decided to play hardball on a contract, I don't think this management would hesitate to outsource the flying.
Just-saying.
This is an extremely accurate point. Greg Saretsky (you remember him) went to Westjet and built it into Alaska North. He started with 737s and added Q400s. For his Edmonton/Calgary - Hawaii service he seasonally subserviced that flying first to North American and currently to Omni.
He then acquired some junker 767s and currently subservices that European flying to Omni 767s.
You don't think Saretsky and Tilden don't talk?
One thing AS management historically and categorically REFUSES to negotiate is scope. Unless AS pilots are willing to strike over scope, it's doubtful anything will change.