I did look that up in 12.L.2 and that's what I thought, thank you for the reply and the confirmation. Most appreciated.

 

AUS 320? “might happen sooner than you know it..”
Nice to see management “soft” confirming the intention of making AUS a hub. Between the 30,000 sq. ft. Skyclub set to be built there (2nd largest in system), at least 15 gates set to be Delta’s when the new concourse comes online in 2030, and AUS managements purposeful airport buildout of a “hub-friendly/ATL-like” design are all positive indicators..

From TPG on DL Senior VP of Network Planning: Paul Baldoni

[Austin as the next hub?
Pre-coronavirus pandemic, Delta had five focus cities: Austin; Cincinnati; Nashville; Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; and San Jose, California.

As the carrier emerged from the pandemic, it doubled down on Austin and Raleigh-Durham while unofficially dropping the remaining airports from its focus city strategy.

While Delta continues to expand in Raleigh-Durham, the airline is making some really big investments in Austin.

"We've had great success in Austin. We like the demographic trends we see in Austin. So, that will continue to be the primary focus," Baldoni explained.

As Delta keeps growing in Austin, the transition from a focus city to a hub might happen sooner than you know it.

"We're getting up to now close to 80 departures a day [along with our partners]. When we get to close to around 120 daily departures, you start building some of that connectivity that exists in what you would call a hub, whether we call Austin a hub or not," according to Baldoni.

While "we're not really there yet," Baldoni said that "we want to continue to build Austin primarily for the local customer, but a natural consequence of that will be the connecting traffic."

Consider this one developing.]

https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-...AEoAs_fxXUzHoA

 

Until we have a FA base in AUS, a pilot base is just a fantasy. Once the FA base opens a pilot base moves from fantasy to dream. Years after the FA base a pilot base may become reality.

 

Well, here’s to hoping RDU gets a pilot domicile in the coming years. Major expansion of T2 is about to begin, in addition to a new longer runway to replace 5L/23R. Already a DL F/A domicile. Endeavor just opened a sizable pilot base in RDU, however, which may be the extent of the expansion.

 

Anyone seeing any SS's out there? I normally go back and forth between reserve and a Line and was wondering if i might be able to score an August SS as a line-holder or just go reserve and roll the dice.

Scoop

 

very rare in all categories for ~9 months or so.

but summer could change it.

 

Many FA’s say a AUS FA base is imminent. Likely Delta pumping out a few more routes outta AUS to justify it.

I bet they get it next year with more AUS route announcements for 26’. ~4 years from that is 2030 with 15 gates (or hopefully more) for DL and a pilot base

Side note - AUS is already a Delta Connection pilot domicile via SkyWest. Lot of potential to up-gauge existing routes and JV’s like AF&KE eyeing AUS soon as well

 

It might become a hub, not a pilot base. RDU is being a hub for some time already.

 

Under this management team, or any close derivative of it, everything you said above is possible except for AUS becoming a pilot base in the next 10 years.

I don’t think you realize how long BOS was both an FA base and an official hub before it finally received a single-fleet pilot base for international operations only.

SkyWest maintains as many pilot domiciles as possible as part of its pilot recruitment and retainment strategy. Delta management is the 180 degree opposite — actively seeking to consolidate basing as much as operationally feasible. Management was basically forced into opening BOS for international reliability, after years of trying to avoid it.

 

Yes, I just saw one yesterday or the day before for a carryout 4 day trip but they seem to be quite rare. I always forget to look for them in OT, but anyways it went to an area code if I remember correctly.