on Thu, 20 Dec 2001 18:50:01 -0500, Douglas Schnell <dks28@cornell.edu> wrote: > Seems unlikely from a maintenance perspective. That means spare parts > for three very different types of aircraft, as well as crew training > issues, etc., etc. > > The 717s are marketable to Midwest Express, as are the 20 from TWA. This > merger just might be the death knell for the 717, despite what Boeing > says. Except that the 737NG has no business operating interisland routes, not profitably anyway. Addison's analysis agrees with my own most-likely-scenario vision (from my limited outsider's perspective). The only wrinkle I see to this is that if they can't get 717 quick change freighters, they may get 737-700QCs that they could operate pax flights to the mainland during the day with, and do interisland cargo at night. The 737NG and Airbus A320 family are just too heavy to operate on such short routes. The 717 and the large RJs (FD 928, ERJ-190, etc) are the best options, and with 717s already in the fleet, it seems silly to change. In addition, I expect the Dash 8s to stick around as well. Also heard that Midwest Express wants new planes, not returned aircraft from TWAmerican. -- David Mueller / HNL kawika42@mac.com http://www.quanterium.com