I doubt all the planes will be based out of ATL. 15 900s plus the Saabs will surely drop ASA/Skywest below 80% unless Delta is planning on sending a significant amount of flying our way...

I don't get where everyone keeps bringing up this 80% number. It's not the same Delta as before, it's the combination of Northwest AND Delta. Just to give you an example, what if a NWA contractor had 80%? Do you both get 80% of the flying. wake up.
Sorry if I offend anyone, I hope you all the best. I just can't see how everyone's contracts will be the same.

Especially now that the DCI carriers are going to have to start paying for their own fuel. Stand by for the "We have to remain competitive" memos.

How many pilots are currently on the list at Mesaba?

As of October 11th the list indicates 1120 pilots and that's a 20th of October hire date.

I don't get it either. With all due respect to Trip 7, he hasn't been at ASA long enough to even know fine nuances of his job, much less to have a historical background to comment on things that happened before his arrival.

I've said it many times and I'll say it again. The 80% will be renegotiated. SkyWest Inc/ASA wants out of the "second from the bottom clause" and wants some -900s. Delta wants to spread around the ATL flying and not have all their eggs in one basket. The biggest reason is that ASA will be entering negotiations in two years, and the political climate will be great for labor. Delta does not want 80%+ of their ATL feed shut down if ASA strikes. The 80% will be gone before then! Period.

Getting back to the point, I give you a hollow congrats, XJ. I understand WHY your labor rates are so low, and that you can't be blamed directly for it, but be assured that THAT IS why you are getting the growth. Your CASM on the -900 is among the lowest (except maybe Mesa).

Do you really have a snapback provision? I'd like more information on it.

lol. you say stuff like that and its "reality" , but he says it and its a cheap shot. get over yourself. our 900 rates are the way they are because of YOU. we had no say in our 900 rates. the only thing our 900 rates are based on is what everyone else was flying them for. and dont worry, when pinnacle buys mesaba after all of this is said and done we will still be brothers. :) after all, we all know that when anderson builds up an airline, its only to make it look good to a potential buyer. let the bidding begin!

SKYWEST INC. Form 10Q
Summary of SKYWEST INC - Yahoo! Finance

excert: "the right to use 29 gates in the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport located in Atlanta, from which we currently provide service to Delta. Delta has also agreed that if Delta solicits requests for proposals to fly Delta Connection regional aircraft, ASA will be permitted to bid to maintain the same percentage of total Delta Connection regional jet flights that it operated during 2007, and, if ASA does not achieve the winning bid for the proposed flying, ASA will be permitted to match the terms of the winning bid to the extent necessary for ASA to maintain its percentage of Delta Connection regional jet flying that it operated during 2007. "

Key words = ASA will be PERMITTED to match the terms of the winning bid

The Airline Industry is a business, fact of the matter. Cost is King.

Yes, we do. It's based on how many aircraft are currently on property. To simplify, as the company got healthier after the bancruptcy, the pilots got closer to the numbers they had when the concessionary contract was signed.