Jenny, I recently heard that Delta is beginning to realize that the 717 isn't very economic, like you can't make money flying them with your cost structure, even when full, with bag fees. You're locked into leases on them for how many years?
I was also reading up on comparative fuel burns, your MD's burn about 20% more fuel per seat mile than a 737NG. Almost as bad as a fifty seat RJ (note quite). How many of those dinosaurs do you have?
Delta has the oldest fleet in the country and the least fuel efficient fleet, and you keep buying more OLD airplanes. The top airlines around the world won't own any piece of equipment that is more than ten years old. Delta doesn't seem to want to buy anything less than twenty. Hmmmm?
Yes, they are cheap to buy, but aging aircraft maintenance gets expensive and you don't get much in the way of a depreciation allowance. In bean counter terms, that means you can either have new airplanes and right off the expense or pay in taxes, maintenance and fuel. Plus you are stuck flying stinky old busted planes.
How's that refinery working out? Starting to realize why it was for sale in the first place?
I'm thinking that in your next bankruptcy those three things; the 717, the ancient airplanes and the refinery will have everyone asking what the he11 were you thinking? Maybe Doug Parker will buy you out of bankruptcy!
At least they can't staple you, but those AA guys are pretty senior. Bye Bye upgrade, hello career FO Lee.
I will be flying my shiny new MRJ up and down the west coast at M.74, enjoying that new airplane smell and trying to remember what it was like to de-ice or when was the last time I saw my suitcase. With the new rest rules starting this summer (9 hr block per day if you show after 7 AM) I'll do two turns to SOCAL per day, three days per week. Twenty days off per month. What will I do with all of my time
Bye Bye!!!
