Originally Posted by
Nick Bradshaw
Theres no chance of them consolidating MSP and DTW into a single base. Come on now. Maybe consolidating international in DTW and making MSP a domestic base like SLC with just a few W trips to cover the usual codeshare hubs.
I could see HPN becoming a satellite of LGA. We're doing a lot of flights out of there now. A 717 buddy told me they're even going direct to PBI and MCO now. Does mainline even fly to SWF?
Boston makes sense but it has nothing to do with union politics. Our union is so weak they're no threat to whatever the company wants and they'll always have the votes in ATL. Not opening BOS is because they don't have room. The Taj Mullin is too small and too cramped for what we already have there and Massport is already charging us out the wazoo. My bet is they're waiting to see what happens with JetBlue/Spirit too. Not to mention that a BOS base would make NYC staffing even worse.
HPN I can see them trying to add. That is a stupidly expensive cab ride though. But again, not beyond what a LAX commuter has to deal with when they get a SNA or ONT trip.
SWF is all Allegiant, NetJets and Play (ULCC to Iceland) it seems now, but as NY airports max on capacity I can see it coming into play. I have flown the ER out of there, but that was a charter.
Consolidating MSP and DTW isn't realistic/logical but that has never stopped them before.
BOS has room. Seen it. Been in it. Could be move in ready in a week.
Disagree on the union thing. Right now, with ATL getting 4 votes, (and likely to stay that way unless we open a huge FL base, also unlikely) I am sure they factor that into their calculations. Something big enough to go to MEMRAT they have to convince all of us to pass it. Right now, if it's good for ATL and 2 other bases, it's probably gonna pass MEC. And then the commuter heavy bases get whacked with it. Add another base (BOS, MCO) and then the deal has to be good for them too. As of now, if the deal is a no brainer for ATL, they are already halfway there.