Originally Posted by Scoop

Shiz,

I realize that you are using exaggerated numbers to make a point, but I believe you are missing another even more important point. Yes, I am sure that if the "pot of gold" were big enough the contract would sail through. But, the value of SCOPE to the company is a lot less than it used to be, so I don't think the company would ever come anywhere close to your above example. When NB FO's were making north of $150/hour with commensurate benefits and fuel was $30/barrel, yeah maybe, but not anymore. Why would the company offer us more in contracts plus ups than the value of possible SCOPE concessions?

Besides the whole "quality" issue which is a separate discussion I don't think DCI is that much more economical than mainline, if cheaper at all, when all costs are included. Maybe I am off the farm here but if DCI was so much cheaper where are all the branded RJ operators? With the ease of entry in this business, with airports and politicians bending over backwards trying to lure start-ups, with hundreds of furloughed pilots where are the standalone RJ operators? I keep hearing how expensive mainline is - and yet the only way RJ operations stay in business seem to be the fee for departure route. Why?

A few month ago there was a rumor going around about a 22% pay-raise for 100 seat scope relaxation. Does this even make sense? DAL supposedly offered to pay 12,000 pilots including top pay-scale wide-body Captains 22% more to save a few dollars an hour on a few hundred planes?

Maybe the company would want to open the door, so to speak on SCOPE, thinking, it could get the pay-rates back later, which wouldn't be too far fetched, but that is also another discussion.

Scoop