Originally Posted by
gloopy
I don't think management wants to put more seats in the current RJ fleet. The existing 76 seat "limit" was I believe, at the time, a "oh please mister pilots, don't throw us into the briar patch" negotiating. Of course they wanted more and bigger. They always want more and bigger. But all along they knew that the CRJ705/900/etc and EMB175 were the "next" step up and they had to get that first, and they wanted them with 76 seats all along, which is why the so called "limit" was set there to begin with. The only planes they even can increase the seat count on are the larger EMB and CRJ's currently outsourced anyway. But the only way to do that is to reduce first class. They are so bat poop crazy about first class on RJ's they are actually reducing seat count willingly (and braging about it) on the CRJ700 anyway. If they want more seats (and we can bet they do) they will want us to agree to outsource EMB190/195, C series, etc. IOW bigger planes.
I actually disagree. They wanted 79 seats in these jets to start with.
These jets are certified with a single class configuration of 86/88 seats for the crj900 and 175.
I have noticed that with many fleets they are opting to take a few first class seats out in favor of more coach seats. I suspect that they will happen with the RJ's too. We are giving most of those seats away and they want to tighten the supply. They are doing it with lie flats on the international birds and they are doing it on the 319/320. They can easily take out four first class seats for a total of 80 total seats with six FC seats remaining. Go with four FC seats you have 82 total seats.
Add to the fact that with the rest rules they will need to make every penny they can. I truly beleive that the issue will be forced by these new rest rules. If I am wrong, I will be glad I am. I also see it as an opportunity for leverage. We will be able to operate them here a lot cheaper. We can also make airlines like SKW hold the aircraft note like I listed in my above post.