Originally Posted by
ancman
I didn’t say that at all. I simply said that a large presence in any city, at Delta, does not equal a pilot base.
I was talking about AUS as well — using BOS as an example of how large-scale NB operations do not always equate to a pilot base here. An AUS base would require completely new Flight Ops management as well as a change in basing philosophy. Rippin’s prognostications require dozens of factors to fall into place perfectly. AUS 320/220/73N is a pipe dream at best.
Get out of here with that 73N
I think a BOS NB base will come before AUS. I also think the lack of a BOS NB is the exception not the rule. The rule is a pilot base is followed by growth and/or hub designation.
Dozens of things do have to fall into place, 100%. But, they have 4-5 years to fall into place since Terminal B isn’t here yet. In the meantime I think we can agree Delta will continue to incrementally grow and up-gauge as the new lease agreement allows which should be revealed sometime this month or next month. I’d be surprised if Delta receives no net gain in gates as the airport stands to support ABIA over the next 4-5 years. Southwest will get a base first and keep every form of a lead until B grows to 30-40 gates to shake thing up.