Originally Posted by
Fred Flintstone
The key word is "owned".
Again, the devil is in the details. There was a change of control protocol or provision in the DOT show cause order (DOT telling the world you qualify for a certificate). You will have to read the docket yourself for the details.
The argument right now is Virgin saying the change of ownership provisions are being adhered to, in response to Alaska, AFA and ALPA protesting the original provisions themselves. The DOT can take any amount of time figuring this out, and can decide to deal with this in private or public. So far there has been no public info from the DOT on their progress.
If the DOT decides to reverse themselves, there is an appeal process, then the court system to rule before any new order can be enforced. This could take a long time, so stock up on beer and popcorn.
What about the rumor of SRB becoming a US citizen? That would please all those who have been running him down, but would be par for the course, looking at his past.