Originally Posted by
norskman2
Actually the real reason is that NWA can whipsaw XJ and 9E more effectively if both route structures overlay all hubs.
NWA learned that lesson from watching the Comair strike in 2001 and vowed never to let a regional pilot strike effectively shut down a hub.
It's like two pendulums swinging in opposite directions, being held by NWA management...9E is on the upswing when XJ is on the downswing, and then (right now) 9E bottoms out while XJ peaks...I'm just hoping things start moving positive again at 9E.