Originally Posted by
Bill Lumberg
They already went through that exercise when Midwest was getting ready to sell the 25 717s. They did some due dillegence, hired someone from Airtran to look at a potential training program, and looked to see if the Saudi MD90s could be lumped in there. Then Mexicana and Click got them, and story was over. Now, Mexicana and their whole group (Click, and Mexicana Lite with CRJs) goes down the toilet. Unbelievable to say the least. It all happened within a week or so, from threats to the unions to closing up shop. Delta has got to be looking at some options, like even starting some new (or old) routes back to Mexico to fill in the gaps. Hopefully any new flights won't go directly to our new code share and best buddy Alaska Air. And do we want to give Airtran the opportunity to grab 25 more 717s they could put somewhere other than ATL, like CVG or DTW, or anywhere near our hubs?
Back in Dec. 2008 I was flying a christmas trip with a LCA. We had a long JFK turn and while in the lounge he was talking with a special projects guy who told him we had already signed for 19 of the 717's and were sending a team out to do acceptance inspections. Within weeks the economy was tanking in a big way and they never showed up but went to Mexicana...there were even rumors floating around the the chief 88/90 LC pilot R.F. had already been to school and typed in the 717....
All this and a quarter will not get you a cup of coffee anymore but it could happen, and then again maybe not. I'm just sayin'....