Which red tail regional?

[Mel Sharples]

Has mesaba ever have a growth spurt or are have they always had the leftovers from 9E?

Umm... yeah. From 1996 to 2001 Mesaba was growing like a weed. Too fast, as a matter of fact. At that point, 9E was shrinking to almost nothing (that is NOT meant as a shot at Express guys... they were screwing you royally). We had many 9E guys and gals jump ship and come over to Mesaba.

Then when life was "great", 9E got the CRJ's. Post 9/11, 9E is growing like a weed and Mesaba is starting to die on the vine. We aren't shrinking as quick as 9E did but shrinking none the less.

NWA gave 9E routes to Mesaba so we could grow, and now they are giving new routes and some of ours to 9E so they can grow.

We are all in this sick game together. Use one against the other, shrink one to grow the other.

I would never say Mesaba grew on leftovers from 9E just like I would never say 9E grew (or is growing) on leftovers from Mesaba.