So lots of interesting things here... -700s are the most inefficient plane on property... makes sense I guess given that they are an NG with limited capacity. Alaska guys, what do you see as the future here for the ANC base? With -400s going away will cargo and routes other than ANC/FAI be given away? Lots of shareholders up in Alaska, wonder how that will go over... Will all SE flying go to Horizon or will Juneau and maybe a few others stay mainline? Tough situation overall, good to see Alaska trying to seek out the most profitable flying, however losing the company namesake isn't a good thing either. And with only 800s/900s that eliminates quite a bit. Bleak future if you ask me...

From an outsider perspective, I really hope you guys nail down a strong scope clause. Really strong. Best of luck, we all need it.

I'm a QX guy, and we've all been fed the idea that we'll be flying in the state of Alaska sometime at the end of 2013. I can't wait to see what the reliability of the Q400 will be at those temperatures...

Also, regarding the last part of your post... the contract extension that was just ratified by QX has language regarding 'mergers and acquisitions' that supposedly is an attempt to protect the respective companies from being parted-out. The language is such that it requires AAG to comply with our 'mergers and acquisitions' section, not just Horizon Air Industries. That is, I think the theory is that if someone buys Alaska, they're getting Horizon too. But I'm no lawyer...