Originally Posted by
cougar
The network will control manning requirements. As of now, the network plan for the 747-8 entry only includes the first eight aircraft. As such, the need for the aircraft in Asia will preclude any SDF 747 base for the near term. The one SDF-CGN route the 747-400 will pick up next spring doesn't justify a crew base in SDF.
This logic ignores all the existing routes that can be manned with an SDF 747 base. SDF-ANC & SDF-HNL, then onward from ANC and HNL. With long pairings everything that is flown by ANC could be flown by SDF, and hopefully get rid of these stupid ANC-SDF-ANC turns in the process. Its a matter of more layovers at the ANC Marriott and less at the Galt House (another plus).