Originally Posted by
Bigflya
Look at the announced 2010 Summer Intl schedule. Not sure if they plan to create bases or DH guys to these new routes. If they create bases than 7ER's to SEA, 74's to NYC, 777's to DTW. That would create major movement since 74's and 777's are fenced. Domestically, the rumormill has been putting out taking the MD's out of SLC to Minny and moving the A-320 from Minny to SLC. Obviously more flying in NYC with the LCC swaps. Probably DC-9's to rightsize the Northeastern/Mid-Atlantic corridor. Whatever it is it will be in the co's and our best interests to get it done with one bid. Training will probably take a year to complete. Here's to chaos.
Given the dead head pay system and the cost of opening a base in terms of reserve coverage I'd hedge a bet that we will see a lot of DHs over new bases. IMHO I think any particular fleet would have to substantially increase flying out of a new base and a decrease out of the old base to see a new base come open.
I mean why not just open a small 320 SLC base and MD90 MSP base and ease the transition? But by all accounts its a complete swap. Somebody did the math and they believe thats better. The 9 is coming to ATL by most all accountrs but nobody seems to know for sure if there will be a base, and if there was, how big would it be if the relatively small fleet is still flying out of MSP/DTW/MEM? I think if they said no more 9s out of MSP then ATL could become a base but until it'll be flying through and DHs. Funny, imagine if Delta was to add a 9 base and keep the current 88 flying in ATL? People would be like, remember when Delta had Boeings in Atlanta? But, again, this is a guess.
My question, on the flip side, everyone talks about ramping up 88 flying in ATL and a lot of new LGA flying but why is the 88 not discussed for MEM or DTW flying? Or will that be MSP through flights for the 90 out of MEM/DTW plus 9s and large RJs? (I personally would love to see 88 flying out of different bases, just for fun)
With international I could see new bases coming open rather easily, like in the case of NYC 777 about 15 on reserve and 25-30 lines per seat. Thats not a whole lot of people. Again, just a guess.