I think that's true to some extent, but may be overstating it just a bit.

They care a LOT about the deal on the AC, and a large panic RFP hampers that, although they do have the flexibility to use the whipsaw so maybe that will mitigate it.

But other than NYC, the 88/90 fleet will be plenty deployable elsewhere in the network for a few years at least. They're already here, paid for, with pilots trained etc. If they get a deal too good to pass up then they'll bite. But if not I don't see why they'd freak out about it as much as many are implying.

That said, perhaps just the removal of NYC will be enough to throw a bucket of sand in the gears of the "just in time" marketing based fantasy numbers where fleets live and die based on 0.001% costs and that will induce a panic who knows. But there's no reality based reason to pull the panic cord.

 

Some new hires are fully capable of being Capt on the 88. Some were Capt at the regionals for years. The 88 sucks, but it is just an airplane.

 

I am not sure what that would have to do with the 350 awards other then help as more 330 guys get the slots. Might make 777 training a mess but no impact on the 350.

 

They have enough aircraft on order right now to replace every maddog and still grow the fleet substantially. The first aircraft from this RFP will probably not even be delivered before all the maddog's are gone. This is a standard long term buy to modernize the fleet over time.

 

717A positions unfilled? is that a confirmed rumor?

 

I don't think there can really be a "confirmed rumor"

 

Haha yes I was using the verbiage from previous pages I'm hoping its true because I bid that!

 

capacity to expedite delivery of current book orders is the potential tipping of the scale in the award of the expected order.

 

Deployable, and reliably deployable are two different operational and economic calculations.

I'm guessing the concentration of 88 airframes to Atlanta is partly due to the master base capacity to absorb disruptions in service due to anticipated deteriorating dispatch reliability in the fleet.

everytime I read the summary of operational events....there is one airframe family that seemingly predominates the reports.

You are right, the deal has to be there..but I'm betting if mgmt could wave a magic wand, the 88s would be gone. yesterday.

 

They do have that ability. Just think how many new airframes they could have gotten for the 5B stock buyback.