Originally Posted by
Mercyful Fate
SKW doesn't have to go out and start its own operation, because they have so much market share tied up in multiple partnerships. SKW has not got where they are by making stupid decisions, and they are not going to start now. It is obvious that SKW is a huge thorn in your side, and you cannot stand it. You hate the fact that your DL has so much invested in the partnership. You don't think that SKW management back in the day didn't see the writing on the wall that having all your eggs in one basket was not a smart business model? When DL pitched a fit over SKW code sharing with UAL, who ended up winning that little tiff? Sorry dude, but you will need to face the music that SKW has a LOT of pull with your company, as well as others. You know damn well the whole scope clause thing will morph and change in the years to come, because it always does. Anyone who thinks otherwise is either blissfully ignorant, or not educating themselves.
Good luck!
I don't mind the SKYW partnership at all. They are a good regional jet provider for sure. As long as they can keep their perf numbers up and stay within the hard limits of the DL and UAL agreements (to include pilot scope), great!
BTW DL didn't have a problem with SKYW flying for UAL as long as they could hold up their end of the PWA compliant CPA's. Up until now SKYW has run a good operation and have been able to do so. I'll give them credit for that all day long and have no issue with them as long as they stay within the constraints of what we permit them to do, which they will.
You sound more like a SKYW manager than a pilot, but either way that's cool. DL has dealt with managers with loftier ambitions than yours in the past (CMR, ACA, etc) and will do so again when necessary. Sorry to inform you that you will not be getting larger RJ's though. It simply will not be permitted. You will have to remain within the limits set by your existing CPA's and unionized pilot PWA's.
The size, weight and seat count is simply not going up for you. Sorry. The only thing that
may happen is some kind of trade for more 76's in exchange for fewer 50's or 70's on a net seat/BH loss basis. We'll see what the next round of mainline PWA's does WRT that, but even that small carrot isn't looking good. But even if you do get that, you'll have to shrink to get it.