Originally Posted by
nicholasblonde
If I recall, Pinnacle has a fixed-unit contract with NWA. They can't reduce it below somewhere around 120ish...so not many more. I'm pretty sure they can't reduce the number of units unless those units are replaced with 900s. Which leads me to believe they'll give at least some of those 900s to 9E once they get their 900 rates settled (IF they get those settled)...because 1) 50 seaters are money-losers now, 2) NWA can't reduce the number of units 9E has without replacing them with at least 50 seaters, and 3) NWA has much more leverage to mess with their fully-owned subsidiary than they do with now-independent 9E. Witness Comair transferring planes to ASA once ASA was sold off to Skywest...perfect industry example.
If NWA merges with DAL which apears very likely, all bets are off. At anycase, it is unlikely at best that NWA will give any CRJ900 to 9E. Using your analogy, why would NWA reward 9E with CRJ900 flying when, as you have cleverly indicated that NWA has no control over 9E anymore?
I disagree with your blanket statement that NWA can't reduce 9E CRJ200 units without replacing them. NWA have in the past found ways to get around many contract provisions. So if they want to they will find a way. At anycase, XJ does not need more CRJ200s right now.