They could do that, and they may do that. I am thinking though, that NWA will be leasing the EMB-175s they intend to operate on that certificate. In order to be sold, Compass has to have a certain number of jets on property, (according to the contract) and I can't remember off hand what that number is. So, as far as assets go, it really isn't going to have the value in comparison to what it would cost in start-up and operation for the first year or two.

If all NWA has to do is lease the airplanes and have an airlink partner operate and maintain them while they collect the revenue from sales, it justs seems to be a more attractive business plan. Keep in mind that the whole idea behind Compass was to provide incentive to pass the TA...keeping jobs at NWA instead of sending them out to Airlink partners. If all of the pilots are recalled to the mainline by mid 2007, I just don't see the incentive for spending the $$ to get the airline up and running when they could place the jets with say RAH that already holds a certificate and operating authority for that type of airplane, and just collect on revenue ticket sales.

It is an interesting situation they are in. Worth a gentleman's wager for sure!