Today, JR informed us in recurrent that there are (right now) no plans to turn ATL into a pilot base. For now, it looks like there will be deadheads from DTW and MEM to ATL to start your pattern/lines and then a deadhead home when finished. 5 planes will be based in ATL, but not pilots. The others...well, we'll see. JR told us to expect some trips to include a flight from DTW to JFK to be operated under the name, "NW Airlink" and the very next flight (same aircraft / same crew) out of JFK to be operated under "Delta Connection". This kind of thing could go on for a bit until the brand is established. No plans exist for a JFK base because of the complexity involved in that system.

New paint schemes will begin (I think) in June at 3/month for the next 2 years. JR joked that they will probably just let the SAABs turn white on their own and then slap blue paint on the tail when the time is right.

Pilot flow to Delta from Mesaba will remain at 9/month whenever Delta resumes hiring and Mesaba retains the flowback spots.

Obviously, everything changes on a daily basis. However, Mesaba is positioned very well.

One other note that JR mentioned....whipsawing is a very real possibility. With 7 other regionals in the pool for Delta, the reality is that there isn't enough room for everyone and there will be some regionals that are left out. Mesaba is in a very good position right now, but there is still a lot of convincing left to do if we expect to be one of the regionals left standing when the smoke clears.