Such as what? Aircraft type/size?

Keep in mind a "competitive" RFP is the entire package, not just the "bottom line".

For example, if Mesa was $5.00/flight hour cheaper, but canceled 30% more would they be as competitive as someone who cost more but cancels significantly less? That was a rhetorical question BTW :D.

AWAC lost this RFP because their bid wasn't as competitive as Skywest's. Simple as that. How Midwest determined "competitive" is unknown. I'd bet my left nut Skywest had the right combination of cost, quality, and service.

I wouldn't disagree with that so you can keep your boys...but I'd wager the first five rounds at Zona Rosa that cost was not the reason Skywest won with Midwest and we didn't. I think service (cleanliness of airplanes and inflight) was *the* deciding factor.

I think we are saying the same thing - it was the whole package. If Skywest bankrolled Vicky's models to be on their planes and spit shined their aircraft every night their costs would go up astronomically. There's a balance, and Skywest has found it. AWAC hasn't.

The big thing AWAC had going for it pre-United breakup was the mountain flying in the 146. Without that, the Company is just another pay-for-departure carrier, and offers nothing special except higher costs for doing the same thing that Chautauqua, TSA, Expressjet, etc does. Except those companies do it cheaper :D.