I think there is more to this drama than we realize because of the sudden nature of this change of heart by DL. The company has spent months busting their butts to make a successful launch into Delta Connection flying. Even though our mgmt are merely puppets of DL, they can't be too happy with this turn of events. That may not mean anything, but I don't think anyone saw this coming. Several months of prep for this is far different than a few weeks (Comair).

That said... we're not in the normal position for a beat down, butt kicking, shrinkage or any other negative event geared towards an airline. We don't find ourselves top heavy, expensive, in contract negotiations, in bankruptcy or on the verge of strike. If anything, we're one of the most attractive airlines to DL for more growth, just because of our circumstances. Before you Mesaba haters and clueless goons on the Mesaba history educate us on what whipsaw is all about... I'm not saying we're invulnerable, just that the circumstances and past practices for airline beat downs does not present itself at XJ at this time. Read... we're on the backside of it.

Perhaps we'll just stop our growth with the 5 extra 900s. Perhaps we'll grow further. But it would not be in DLs best interest to shrink us. It would be in DLs best interest to keep us at our current size or bigger and with a "junior" pilot group. That equals CHEAP. Being top heavy and shrinking is no way to be lean, cheap and attractive for growth. I don't have any inside info, but I've been around long enough to experience both sides of this business... and I can't help but think based on the circumstances, that there is more to this story... and it's not bad news.