The above statement is exactly how the LBO happened. Not only were there are lot of assets to use as collateral such as aircraft and property in the USA, but there was some very expensive property in Japan (especially downtown area) and due to accounting rules, this property showed on the accounting books at a highly discounted value (they had to carry the value of the property at what it was valued when purchased).

The banks were more than happy to loan out the $300 plus million because the beach boys were able to use all the assets as collateral on the loan.

Even if a certain regional has the cash (or can get the credit, whatever) to buy a legacy or not (and regardless of if they would even if they could) is all mental youknowwhatturbation until it happens, which it probably never will.

That said, what some mega regionals can and will be able to do is let their executive talent loose to play with airplanes in the real world. Even if they end up liquidating ala IndyAir, they will inflict significant damage to the very mainline that pumped them up for so many years, and they would have achieved that with the money the respective legacy paid them (so much for the savings of outsourcing huh?)

I predict exactly this for a certain mega regional if and when their constant growth gravy train ever leaves the station. They WILL get bigger airplanes and compete against the mainlines that sponsored their phenom growth for decades. They might succeed and do permanant damage, or they might fail and only do significant short term damage. But either way, no legacy will ever make or save a penny by doing business with them in the long run. But they don't teach that at Harvard anymore anyway so who cares.

So, why are we not allowed to swap trips with open time within 48 hours of the trip? I called scheduling and tried to swap two 2 day trips for one 4 day trip over the same 4 days...all starting tomorrow. Was told it was not possible. I don't get it, we can swap with other pilots within 48 hours, but we can't swap with open time. The real kicker is that this 4 day trip will now go out as a GS while they had plenty of 2 day guys available tomorrow. So what's the basis behind this rule?

True.
Also if this does not solve the problem, reset the phone. If that does not work go to the Apple store and they will either change the battery or give you a new phone.

DAL's market cap for its 900 million plus outstanding share is about 9.3 billion dollars. Of course with a stock swap who needs money. No other airline has nine billion sitting around in their coffers, so it would have to be a stock swap.

Of course you could buy on margin :eek:

The point ppl are trying to make is that this "rumor" has been going around for some time. My point is that even if the Neg Committee had a TA that allowed this sort of thing, the MEC Reps would have to vote to ratify it. IMHO if would not get past the first step (right now) but if it did, the reps would vote it done. God for bid it went past that it goes to MEMRAT since it is a significant change in our PWA.

I am not sure that the company wants to obtain 100 seat scope concessions at the current point in time. It would be a win for them in regards to leverage against us, but the unintended consequences are that the pilot group would revolt. With that possibility they may get a more radical group in the MEC and that is probably not something that DAL wants.

My "fear" if you will is these super regionals. These guys are getting to the point that they will control 30-50% of a mainline's lift each. When they get to that level, they will be able to exert extreme leverage on the mainline carrier in regards to pricing, pass though costs, et al. What it comes down to is that they will determine the cost of their operation, not DAL or UAUA, etc. If they opt out of their ASA's they literally could shut airlines like UAUA, DAL, LLC etc down. That means that if they demand something airlines like DAL would probably have to give it to them. In turn when they get to this power level, they may be able to demand and obtain the coveted 100 seat market.

What DAL did with the sale of CPS to TSH is continue to spread the flying out enough that no one or two carriers had this sort of control. The devil is in the details in regard to the next step. If these ASA's allow the carriers like Pinnacle, CPS, et al to be sold or acquired by carriers like RJET and SKW, then the above scenario is very likely. If the ASA's state that DAL has the right of first refusal, or a sale nullifies the ASA then there is a change that the super regional airlines will never get to this level of power.

I suspect that airlines like SKW, and RJET will try to buy airlines like Pinnacle/Mesaba, TSH, Expressjet (done) etc so that they can exert better pricing power on their mainline partners. If the mainline carrier balk it will cost these regionals dearly. If not and they allow these transactions to transpire, I suspect that it will be the mainline pilot bargaining units that will be the ones the mainline carriers will be coming after.

I feel fairly confident with the makeup of the LEC voting reps on the MEC. These pilots seem to get it. Of course time will tell.

I suspect that it is a PWA requirement. I do not have the PWA in front of me, but go take a look at open time in it.

The deadline for submitting a swap request is 1800E—two days
prior to the earliest rotation affected by the request.

from the pwa:
23.2.H. A regular pilot may submit a swap request via PCS two days prior to the earliest scheduled rotation(s) or open time affected by the request.

Yes, I know what the PWA says, but why in the world would they rather send out a 4 day GS than let me swap for it. Would save them money. I figured the two day prior cutoff in PCS was just to make sure you have time to receive notification...guess I thought a phone call would give me enough notification. It's not the end of the world for me...I figured it would be a win-win situation, but apparently that is of no interest to them. Kudos to the guy that got the 24 hour GS though!

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Thats a pretty valid question. I think it may actually have its roots in the fact that inefficiency means more pilot jobs.

It is just like asking why are there different rules for the pilot to pilot swap board versus open time.

And why are greenslips are pay no credit therefore pickup limit doesnt apply but whiteslips are pay and credit.

I have never understood the whys, just keep trying to learn how to color within the lines.