While mainline has minimum staffing numbers, I can't see that those specific policies would apply to us. The cost structure of the regionals doesn't support long term over staffing, especially when mainline won't pay to keep crews for "just in case".

That being said, mainline won't pay for extra crews but they will penalize the regionals for being understaffed, as in the case of Pinnacle in '05.

Something is up here at Mesaba. But until the merger is complete one way or another there won't be any announcements. But after living through the 2004 contract and the bankruptcy, we are entitled to a little positive gossip.