Originally Posted by
cbire880
The problem with that approach is that you have to have both types of aircraft and someone to fly them first before you can experiment. That's a very expensive way for the losing operator to figure out if customers would pay the premium. Its far cheaper to commission surveys. What operator would accept that contract without significant penalties if the mainline dropped them?
Keep in mind that DAL's contract flying isn't leg specific. In other words, one month you can be flying into GSP and the next MEM. So all they would have to do is bring in a Q400 operator and start experimenting. It wouldn't be that hard, if they wanted they could test the markets with ASA’s ATR’s seeing their going off line here soon (heard by late 08 or early 09), do it sparingly as the ATR’s flying reduces. This would be perfect seeing they wouldn’t have to sign a long term contract and if they ended up wanting too, I’m positive SKW Inc. (or someone else) would place an order for Q’s ASAP.