I just got off the phone with a buddy of mine at RAH, who says that a memo came out yesterday that says that effective April 1st, RAH will be changing the MTOW on their Delta 175s to 89,000 lbs. My understanding of Section 40 of the Delta CBA only allowed the CPZ (and specifically the CPZ, not just 36 of them) 175s. They said they were doing this in accordance with 175 Service Bulletin 170-00-0016, and that another memo would come out when the entire fleet was modified.

Wouldn't that be a scope violation on RAHs part, and wouldn't there have to be a new LOA on the part of DALPA BEFORE the announcement from RAH? My understanding of the Scope agreement with the No Furlough Clause was simply to bring the cap up to the current levels of 76 seaters, and had nothing to do with the weight limitation of 86,000lbs.

Any input on this will be appreciated!