Originally Posted by John Pennekamp

My opinion is that Delta has been making things difficult for them for a while. First they stiff SkyWest on IROP reimbursements, lawsuit pending. Then they start playing base roulette. Lately with the crazy schedules where flights only operate 3 times a week (other days on other carriers) or we enter a market, establish facilities, then exit the market the next month. Talk has abounded that when the contact opens back up next year, Delta will be slashing SkyWest's profit margins in the cost + arrangement. Now they're shipping us to the Northeast in the winter? Sounds to me like they're just not that into us.

I'm thinking that SkyWest Inc is sick of Delta's crap, and they'd prefer to do business with a company who WANTS us, not one that's trying to get rid of us. But with that said, I doubt SKW will let the 80% clause go until the flying becomes unprofitable (after next year). They know that we haven't made the goal of "second lowest cost" and never will, thus the contract rates will be slashed. SKW is hedging its bet.