In a message dated 1/22/03 6:41:05 AM US Mountain Standard Time, dplaflamme@alumni.nd.edu writes: > How much credibility did Airtran gain for so visibly buying new planes? > "We're not ValuJet; we've got brand new planes, planes so new almost no one > else has them!" I have no idea if Airtran is getting the performance they > expected from the MD-95, but I doubt it matters nearly as much as the > prestige they got for being a launch > customer. Granted those MD-95s...er B717s...are new, but they sure bear a strong resemblence to the ancient DC-9s Valujet was flying. If their objective was to break from the spotty past, then a B737 or (heaven's forbid) a A320 would have made a more dramatic statement! Howsomeover the B717 works very well for AirTran and this carrier knows how to make money in a crappy economy. RT Simpson Phoenix