Originally Posted by
RockyBoy
They actually increased staffing in MSP when they opened up SLC. The SLC 320 flying was entirely increased utilization. Everyone thought they were going to draw it down, but they had vacancies in MSP the same bid they opened SLC. Haven't watched what it has done since then, but I'm fairly certain it is about the same size it was before SLC saw the 320.
I see the 88 fleet migrating to MSP and NYC. From MSP they can cover the entire US, Canada, and Mexico with the 88. They can use the 320 in ATL to cover the entire US, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean. They can't do that with the 88 down there. Same reason they moved the 320 to SLC because they couldn't hit the east coast with the 90's.
They can't make the East Coats from SLC in the winter with the 88. The 90 has no trouble with those legs. The 88 really struggled on SLC-PHL in the winter. The dash 50 version of the 90 is listed with a 3200 mile range. The standard is 2400 miles. Not sure the mix that Delta now owns between the versions but either can do anything east from SLC.