Alright here is how the game works. Delta knows that ASA has rights to most of the flying in ATL as per their agreement when Skywest bought them from Delta (Am I wrong on this? Is it true its 80% of the regional flying out of ATL?). They want to cut crj 200 flying where it will not cost them in house (parking planes which they are paying for loses them cash, parking other companies planes does not) here is the game, tell Mesaba they are getting crj 900's, putting ASA in a position to now have to negotiate to get them even though they are infringing upon their contract rights. Delta wants to grow Mesaba for a number of reasons, growth there makes sense since they invested millions on Ground training equipment, facilities, and sims. They also know and told their shareholders that growing in house makes more money and XJ has already been through the wringer to force by use of bankruptcy to get their cost structure down. So Now ASA has to deal with Delta, and has to agree to park 20 of their CRJ 200's for 10 900's. Keeping 5 at XJ to grow westward in house. Delta still has 35 options with Bombardier, who do you think will get those? XJ has a bid in and management has a positive outlook on our competitive bid on those planes. But who knows? Big Delta does. Delta also is doing what NWA did to more than 50 of their smaller outstations. They are making them "outsourced" to non-delta workers. Management is also pretty positive of their big to get 50 of these cities. This is just something I have put together from sources who were at Management seminars and common knowledge of our system. You make up your own mind
