Originally Posted by Bucking Bar

The daily utilization of the FNWA was very low compared to Delta's MD88's. I posted the 2007 numbers almost a year ago but don't have them here. If scheduled as hard as Delta's jets were, then yes, I could see a 30% increase in block with the same fleet of airplanes.

Agreed, however have heard acft coming out of the desert.

As far as 70/76 numbers, it is common on the Delta side for the DCI carriers to have more airplanes than allowed, BUT, the company claims those excess jets are SPARES and that the scope limits only apply to aircraft being operated.

If they are flying they are not spares. We fought this battle at NWA before and won. If they were not parked in the desert they were counted as "in-service"

That has been the story for years, do not know if anything has changed recently. The loads and economy again are making the CRJ700/900 & E170/175 very popular with management.