Good point, T-Handle (on Friday, that is)...
...Just to add a word on "unknown variables", the airline services agreement (ASA) for the CRJ's (and for that matter, the extension of the SF340 and ARJ flying 'til 2015)
has not been signed. As of my ground school, which was in JUNE, Spanjers told us that negotiations between XJ and NW on the ASA was getting close, but moving very slowly. He would not elaborate, due to the fact that the ASA is "negotiated" between the airlines (yeah, right). Couple weeks ago, Foley confirmed during MAIR quarterly investment call that ASA still was not done.
On the brighter side of things, evidently CRJ N601XJ has returned from paintshop in AZ to Montreal for final processes, and 602 and 603 are heading out of the Bombardier barn this week for paint.
Friday @ 2359 EDT and the ASA...that is all I would keep an eye on for now.
Good luck to interviewees and newhires
