I hope they were Super Premium Staples.

 

A 747-400 can carry 3.469 billion regular staples.

Or 50 million super premium staples.

I based that on super premium staples being 70 times bigger.

 

Next Tuesday we will announce that all CR9's and E-175's will be moved onto the mainline certificate so they can fly them with more than 76-seats. The good thing for you guys is we will allow the pilots from the respective airlines flying those airplanes to be stapled to the bottom of the new list we will get on Monday. Hope you can be one of them, or maybe you can change your name to ILUVCR7.

 

Thanks to ALPA, there are no more staples left.

 

It would be pretty sweet if they had it ready for roll-out on the "Investor's Day" on the 9th.

 

I think APA has used A LOT of those staples.

 

I have heard twice in 2 weeks from 2 totally seprate sources, that Midwest & Republic are going to begin joining forces to fly E190's indirectly for DELTA. It will not be a code-share because of scope issuses. They will be entering into, and flying as a Sky Team member and "selling" their own tickets in point-to-point markets. However as a Sky Team member they will effectively code share with Delta, and by-pass the DALPA's scope.

I truly hope this remains a nothing but rumor. Can this even be done?

 

Two things - first, anyone could make an agreement to fly an E190 for Delta, they are just limited to 76 seats. That's how the CRJ900 are being flown - with 76 seats.

Second, I believe that DALPA has to approve any code shares, so that shoots that idea down. There was specific language in the JCBA (the joint contract that brought NWA into Delta's contract) that allowed Delta to place more code-sharing on NWA's planes.

Also, as a Skyteam member, any airline can be part of Skyteam, it doesn't mean they are "code sharing" with Delta. Skyteam is more of an organized system of recognizing each other's flights for frequent flier mileage, joint check-in and using each other's elite lounges.

If I buy a ticket on a Skyteam Airline like Korean, I get FF mileage on my Delta account, but the only revenue that goes to Delta would be a few dollar to purchase the FF mileage. Also, why would a customer buy a ticket on Republic? They have no marketing, name brand recognition or anything. Republic/Midwest would have to staff their own ticket counters, gate agents, ramp personel, etc.

Go ask ExpressJet or Independence Air how that worked out for them.

 

actually, 76 seats or not, the E190 would be limited by scope because of the weight limit.

 

Just in case it is not flame bait, someone who counted said there are still 10 large RJ's to be awarded. Delta has been trying to use them to negotiate the retirement of 50 seaters on a -2 50 seaters for +1 90 seater (equipped with 76 seats).

The Midwest codeshare scenario was one of the reasons in Section 1 that I voted NO. I do not think it is likely in the manner the RAH pilots imagine, still, Alaska does the same thing with 737's. Again, the actuary in the crowd says Delta performs less than 50% of Delta flying.