I'm not really sure what's gotten the burr under your saddle SD, but DHLAirways at the time was a wholly owned subsidiary of DHL Worldwide Express, USA. The airline for DHL in the US. As in owned and operated by. As in had a CBA with our pilot group, because we were DHL. As it was right up until the dark times of the DPWN purchase of DHL in 2002, when they did all their reorganizational magic. It wasn't a vendor agreement. As any airline expands, many utilize short term charter agreements in order to handle additional lift requirements while they grow their own fleets to accomodate it. It has nothing to do with "lowly" Kalitta or anything else. It was a short term coverage issue, that was known at the time. Much as UPS has allowances for some charter operators during push season, and who knows when else.