Originally Posted by sailingfun (Post 1357902)

I stated that you have to look at how much more revenue the 747 can generate. Based on 80,000lbs per leg more fuel burn the cost is almost 30 million at 3.50 a gallon. Again the revenue generation is the question. The 747 can carry a lot more in the middle stage lenghts however in the ULH operations that margin goes away.
The other consideration is the difference in maintenance costs between a 4 engine 10 to 20 year old jet and a brand new 2 engine jet. They are substantial. There is a reason that 747 400 are being scraped. Here is article from last June. Note that the newest 400's at 10 years old were selling for 36 million in June and many are being broken up for scrap.

Boeing 747-400 Prices Tumble as Fuel Costs End 23-Year Reign - Bloomberg

Originally Posted by dalad (Post 1357953)

Figures lie and liars figure. When has any news article ever been 100% correct? There are way too many variables to throw into this 74 vs 77 debate. Me thinks that RA and the boys have a lot better handle on it than you do.

Originally Posted by sailingfun (Post 1357957)

And I bet this is why it's a bad rumor and we won't see the jets. I do however think that we will see a order for 10 to 15 777's or A330's for near term delivery.

Originally Posted by maddogmax (Post 1357851)

I don't know how the fence language is written for the DAL/NWA merger but the fences for the NWA/ REP merger only covered airplanes on the property at SOC. Any additional aircraft of the same type acquired after that date was shared 1 for 1 between the two groups. The only exception was if newly acquired aircraft were deemed to be replacement aircraft for fenced aircraft. (A330 for DC-10 as an example)

Originally Posted by Check Essential (Post 1357974)

I heard the "New American" might be dumping USAir's A-330s.

Originally Posted by dalad (Post 1357963)

I don't know what's going to happen, but it's fun to speculate. .

Originally Posted by Wilbur Wright (Post 1357976)

From the SIL Award:

For the period of five (5) years beginning with the first bid period after the issuance of the Single Operating Certificate (SOC), no pre-merger Northwest pilot may be awarded or displaced to a vacancy on a B777 aircraft or category and no pre-merger Delta pilot may be awarded or displaced to a B787 or B747 vacancy.