Amish Pilot

Thanks Barrel Man. I see it's your first post, welcome aboard.

Sink r8

That's not where I was going with this at all. I was making the argument it didn't make any sense to have LUV divest themselves of the 717 in a large transaction, but in an orderly way that allows them to take delivery of replacement aircraft (if at all).

Essentially, I can only see it go as far as an agreement made by Boeing between one of their customers to sell 717's in exchange for 737's, while they have an agreement in place with another customer to purchase the aircraft on a given schedule, in compensation for whatever (I think we still have many rolling options for the 737).

The AAI pilots have enough to worry about being taken in as commoners in the Royal Family of Love and Wealth, and finding sleeping accomodations, without having to worry about rumors of another merger/spinoff.

And so do we.

nwaf16dude

I'd love to see the 717's at Delta... Might give me a chance to be a Captain before the 20 year point. However, I wouldn't be surprised if this whole rumor started with SWA guys saying "they're going to DAL", referring to Dallas-Love, not Delta.

sinca3

I thought the 717's were MX nightmares...at least the engines? Also the only reason AAI can afford to continue to operate them is AAI bought an engine MX plan that is a flat rate to get all engine services done by the manufacturer. If they had bought this MX plan the 717's would have been parked long ago.
Just second hand info I've heard from AAI peeps.

Sink r8

That all sounds reasonable to me. In fact, I traded ALK stock precisely on the notion it would fit very nicely in more than one airline's network. I did the same with AAI, for a smaller amount. I sold the AAI at $7.47, but I also got rid of the ALK at $61.47. My reasoning is that ALK has been talked up significantly, precisely because everyone expects it to be purchased, but "everyone" includes Anderson. I don't know the details of our agreement, and I wouldn't overestimate the obstacle a break-up fee would represent, but it's not as simple as that for LUV or AMR. I don't know if it's smart for LUV to accomplish another merger right on the heels of AAI, and I'm not sure how much cash AMR would burn in a meregr, or if they even have the appetitie for one right now. Let's not forget that, at some point, the DOT/DOJ is going to shut one down. LUV/ALK perhaps doesn't have a lot of overlap, but it seems the DOJ favors airlines with a big presence in ORD, for some strange reason.

I think it's entirely possible ALK remains the gorgeous virgin princess that remains continously engaged to us, accepts presents from other suitors, but noone ever gets to consume a marriage with. With LCC being the remaining large piece, and with speculation Parker might be willing to sell in pieces, I think the industry will find someone willing to put out, with multiple partners.

forgot to bid

Careful now, you shouldn't belittle a RR engine on these forums. But I've heard the engines are not doing well on those things. So where are we, strike 8?

Doug Masters

The Rolls engines were at first very unreliable. However, one source told me that Rolls actually paid for the AAI ACARS installation in order to get real time engine trend data. Since then certain trends have been identified and the relibalility rate has gotten better.

Xray678

This is something I have never understood. If an employee has purchased a ticket and there are seats available in first class, why not upgrade them? Honor seniority of course, but if a person who can non rev has purchased a ticket, why treat them worse than if they were there for free?

Check Essential

max-

DO NOT list her as a non-rev on the same flight that she holds a refundable ticket. That is a huge no-no under standards and practices. You can lose your non-rev privileges for that.

Sink r8

It might be worth asking the gate agent very nicely at the gate (something like "my husband is a Delta pilot, and he suggested I should check with you to see if this fare is eligible for an upgrade. How does that work?"), but I'd be careful. The reason I say this is based on an experience on Air France during furlough. I had a full-fare coach ticket, and told the A-Line I was a Delta pilot on furlough travelling on a full-fare ticket, and wondered if the Captain would consider, as a courtesy, upgrading me...

I get moved up.

A few minutes later, the A-Line comes back, and says she can't find me on the non-rev list. I re-state what I told her previously: I'm on furlough, with a ticket.

I get tossed to the back.

I think the logic is that, when you have a ticket, you're not a nonrev.

I know AF and DAL is apples-to-oranges, but if you think about it, we're pretty strict about keeping things separate: you're either non-reving, or on a ticket. You can't book the two at the same time.

So I would be super, super mellow, and ask ever so innocently if the fare qualifies, but I wouldn't try to ask for a favor on the basis of being in the family, because the wrong agent or A-line might react the wrong way. It's a small distinction I'm making, but I think you get my point: she wants to be ever so subtle.