Originally Posted by
PCL_128
I think the SWA merger makes it all a moot point, because that deal will close in six months, and the SWAPA contract doesn't allow SWA to outsource domestic flying. No point in adding regional feed for six months.
But had we stayed as an independent carrier, I think they might have eventually used it as a method to test new routes and feed the hubs from smaller cities, but it doesn't provide them with any real ability to outsource flying that would otherwise be mainline flying.
Here are the places American Airlines used to fly from ORD using MD-80's:
DTW, CLE, CVG, MKE, MSN, DSM, OMA, YYZ, YUL, BUF, RST, ROC, ALB, SLC, PDX, OKC, XNA, BNA, CHQ, YYC, DAY, IND, SDF, IAH, CHM, just to name a few.
It all started with a statement from AMR: "it's not flying you want to do anyway"; regarding the 72 seat limit in APA's original give on scope in 1987, and the RJ's will be used to develop "long thin routes" that will be turned over to the mainline. You would be surprised at the amount of flying 20 large RJ's can do...
What's more is how will SWAPA keep this from coming to WN outside of relying on SWA's managements benevolence? What happens if SWA says they'll have to operate AAI separately fro 18 to 24 months (which is exactly whats happening over at CAL--UAL), then start moving RJ's to LAS, MDW, and PHX with SWA colors on them?