Negative. Johnso's comments were right on the mark. Starbucks is full of fail...that emperor has no clothes. Even the sludge that McD's pumps out is better.

Dunkin Donuts coffee has been touched by the hand of God herself.

Caribou will do in a pinch, tho....

Nu

 

Dunno Bill,

The MD-90 (Saudia) and the 717s have similar setups. If the 717s showed up, then the case COULD easily be made for a combined category, and if you added them all up, it would be around 50+ airplanes, which would make it worthwhile.

But this all pre-supposes that:

1) DAL wants to be in the 100 seater business
2) They want the Saudia birds bad enough

I don't see anything like this going on, though. If DAL wanted to be in the 100 seat business, they have 30-40 DC-9-30s that have another 3-4 years worth of cycles on them, and they're paid for, with MX and training already in place.

If they wanted to Saudia birds bad enough, they could make that happen, too. We got 16 747-400s...and a similar number of 767-400s. Running a 25+ fleet of MD-90s with a different setup wouldn't be an issue if they really needed the lift.

My point is if the company wants the airplanes, they show up and they make it happens. This ain't my first rodeo, and I've heard every excuse in the book as to why airplanes don't show up. My fav is the "they aren't available", yet when outsourced, the people that got the contract seem to have no difficulty at all finding 25 on their doorstep in 3-4 months.

Nu

 

Nu,

Delta is keeping the DC9s a little longer than planned because they are still filling the seats. The -30s will go sometime this Fall, and the -40s next Spring, but that all could change too. If we ever did get a bigger foot print at LGA via USAir, the 717 would be the perfect plane to throw on many of those markets. And, if we are supposedly thinking about a bunch more hiring in the near future (rumors point to consistant hiring for an additional 48 months maybe), then throwing 25 717s in the fire doesn't seem too far out there. I hope it happens.

 

-------------
Nu;
This may be the first north vs south thing with which I take issue. However, Starbucks is overpriced.

Starbucks is easily the best of all these coffees, Dunkin Dognuts comes next, Mickey D's 3rd, and Caribou blows and is overpriced.

In DTW, I'll hike for the Starbucks, its worth it.

 

They already went through that exercise when Midwest was getting ready to sell the 25 717s. They did some due dillegence, hired someone from Airtran to look at a potential training program, and looked to see if the Saudi MD90s could be lumped in there. Then Mexicana and Click got them, and story was over. Now, Mexicana and their whole group (Click, and Mexicana Lite with CRJs) goes down the toilet. Unbelievable to say the least. It all happened within a week or so, from threats to the unions to closing up shop. Delta has got to be looking at some options, like even starting some new (or old) routes back to Mexico to fill in the gaps. Hopefully any new flights won't go directly to our new code share and best buddy Alaska Air. And do we want to give Airtran the opportunity to grab 25 more 717s they could put somewhere other than ATL, like CVG or DTW, or anywhere near our hubs?

 

Bill, do you think I am unaware of all of this. My answer was a non answer. No more no less. It is being looked at fo so. Last time AAI passed on the jets, now that DAL and HI would be the only buyers that may be remotely interested I am sure they will look at it again. Our route structure would support the jet.

I do not think the instructor from AAI every left, but I could be wrong.

 

Heyas Bill,

You misunderstand me. I'd LOVE for the 717s and the Saudi MD-90s to show up. It would point to growth and a commitment to the sub-125 seat category that would go a long way to alleviating a lot of the scope angst around here, and because they are just darn good airplanes.

But my point was also that there are alternatives that are less costly already in place...and easier roads that were not taken for the same sort of lift. It would require a rather circuitous route for both the MDs and the 717s to show up, and I'm doubting it will happen.

But I'll happily pay a C note out of ACL's wallet if it does.

Nu

 

Dunkin Doughnuts coffee = Red Sox = sucks


GO CARDS!

 

Ohhh baby, now you've done it! Red Sox Nation will be looking for you! Of course as long as you keep hiding out in JFK you'll have plenty of protection, but you had best -never- divert in BOS on your way home from Europe!

I had Ted Williams on board one day from BGR to ATL, I offered to move him up to FC but he wouldn't move. When we arrived in ATL he came up and shook our hands and thanked us for the offer. He said, "Delta always treats me so well, that's why I always fly you guys."

A class act not seen in today's Major Leauges (witness Rocket Roger today)

 

I have a baseball with some great autographs on it... Yogi Berra.. Stan Musial.. Lou Brock.. and Carl Yazstremxsewetki or however you spell it. Ted Williams would have been nice too... Anyway, I have no dog in the AL East fight.. they ALL suck IMHO.. Just throwin a grenade Go CARDS!