Ever since the announcement of the merger between Northwest and Delta Airlines, we have all carried the notion that someday changes would most likely come to our own route structure. One persistent rumor, of which I’m sure you’re all acutely aware, is that the MEM base would be closing. Up until now we’ve been able to reply to questions about MEM’s future, truthfully, that we had no plan to close the MEM crew base. Sadly, that is not a statement we can make any longer.

While Delta works to refine their global network’s schedule for this summer, it is evident that our fleet will be redeployed in some manner. Although it has yet to be determined exactly what our route structure will look like once everything is said and done, it is becoming clear that our level of flying in MEM will be gradually reduced to little or nothing. At some point during this reduction it will no longer be feasible to maintain as a crew base, and MEM will be closed.

As Tim has mentioned in a previous Compass Points memo, Delta has indicated that they want Compass to play a stronger role in their operations in the Northeast, in particular in the planned LGA hub. We’ve been getting a lot of feedback from our crews throughout the system since we started discussing operations in LGA, and it is clear that the idea of a LGA base is not one that is largely popular. For that reason, combined with the logistical difficulties inherent in operating a crew base in the New York area, we continue to look at different solutions that would allow us to have a hub in LGA without having to base crews there.

Unfortunately, with so many variables yet to be determined for our summer schedule, we cannot give you a solid timeframe for our transition out of MEM, or into any other base structure. We are working with Delta’s Network Planning department to coordinate the transition of our flying and our crews, with the idea that the closing MEM will coincide with the opening of a new base to support our Northeast operations, which will hopefully make for a smoother transition for all of you, and prevent you from having to transfer two times throughout the course of 2010.

Thank you all for your patience and your professionalism during what will be an understandably difficult transition for many. We will continue to communicate with you regularly as we receive information about the upcoming changes, and we look forward to continued success for all of us as we all move forward into the next phase of Compass’ life as an airline.