atrude777 wrote:

Regarding SkyWest Charters...saw this on google, but cannot open, nor do I see anything anywhere else. Any ideas?

WA707atMSP wrote:

This was mentioned in the ABQ thread, but I think it should also be mentioned here, too.

Advanced Air will be adding Las Cruces-ABQ on Jan 16. Flights will operate 2x day Mon and Fri, 1x day Tues, Wed, and Thu, with no flights on Sat and Sun, using a 9 seat Beech Queen Air. The flight was made possible by a state of New Mexico Rural Air Service Enhancement grant, like Advanced Air's flights from Gallup to Phoenix.

Hopefully, the flight will be a success.

MO11 wrote:

atrude777 wrote:

Regarding SkyWest Charters...saw this on google, but cannot open, nor do I see anything anywhere else. Any ideas?

Looks like N877AS has been flying around with the Charter West callsign, so it looks like the CRJ has been added to the USAC ops specs.

FlyingElvii wrote:

What is going to happen to Del Rio?
Will they be able to get some legislation returning them to EAS?
(Especially considering the size and scope of the nearby Air Force Base?)

ILikeTrains wrote:

FlyingElvii wrote:

What is going to happen to Del Rio?
Will they be able to get some legislation returning them to EAS?
(Especially considering the size and scope of the nearby Air Force Base?)

From what I can tell DRT will be fine. They now get 2x daily CRJ700s which is a sizeable up gauge from the 2x ERJ145s that were the norm when I was there.

Good old Del Rio by the Sea.

ILikeTrains wrote:

FlyingElvii wrote:

What is going to happen to Del Rio?
Will they be able to get some legislation returning them to EAS?
(Especially considering the size and scope of the nearby Air Force Base?)

From what I can tell DRT will be fine. They now get 2x daily CRJ700s which is a sizeable up gauge from the 2x ERJ145s that were the norm when I was there.

Good old Del Rio by the Sea.

sprxUSA wrote:

ILikeTrains wrote:

FlyingElvii wrote:

What is going to happen to Del Rio?
Will they be able to get some legislation returning them to EAS?
(Especially considering the size and scope of the nearby Air Force Base?)

From what I can tell DRT will be fine. They now get 2x daily CRJ700s which is a sizeable up gauge from the 2x ERJ145s that were the norm when I was there.

Good old Del Rio by the Sea.

Well I doubt anyone else wants to come in after American Eagle leaves next month. Unless the area gets/has a subsidy program, I seriously doubt you'll see sched service there anytime soon.

atrude777 wrote:

************************************************************************************************

Contour Airlines Bids: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7881-0101

Note: The Proposal Bid here covers all 3 Cities for IRK, MWA, and OWB

*************************************************************************************************

atrude777 wrote:

The Bids and Proposals are out for IRK, MWA and OWB

Cape Air, Southern Airways, and Contour have all placed bids.

Cape Air Bids: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7855-0188

Note: The Proposal Bid here covers all 3 Cities for IRK, MWA, and OWB

************************************************************************************************

Contour Airlines Bids: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7881-0101

Note: The Proposal Bid here covers all 3 Cities for IRK, MWA, and OWB

*************************************************************************************************

Southern Airways Express

MWA Bid: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7881-0102

IRK Bid: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -2515-0108

OWB-No Link as of this post but they do show on the proposal bid for the other two cities.

Let's see if more come in!

Lots of options and Variations! Will they stick with Cape Air? Will they go to Jet service with Contour?

Alex

atrude777 wrote:

The Bids and Proposals are out for IRK, MWA and OWB

Cape Air, Southern Airways, and Contour have all placed bids.

Cape Air Bids: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7855-0188

Note: The Proposal Bid here covers all 3 Cities for IRK, MWA, and OWB

************************************************************************************************

Contour Airlines Bids: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7881-0101

Note: The Proposal Bid here covers all 3 Cities for IRK, MWA, and OWB
Alex

QXorVX wrote:

atrude777 wrote:

The Bids and Proposals are out for IRK, MWA and OWB

Cape Air, Southern Airways, and Contour have all placed bids.

Cape Air Bids: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7855-0188

Note: The Proposal Bid here covers all 3 Cities for IRK, MWA, and OWB

************************************************************************************************

Contour Airlines Bids: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7881-0101

Note: The Proposal Bid here covers all 3 Cities for IRK, MWA, and OWB

*************************************************************************************************

Southern Airways Express

MWA Bid: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7881-0102

IRK Bid: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -2515-0108

OWB-No Link as of this post but they do show on the proposal bid for the other two cities.

Let's see if more come in!

Lots of options and Variations! Will they stick with Cape Air? Will they go to Jet service with Contour?

Alex

I imagine Cape Air is going to have a hard time retaining Marion. But I also wonder how realistic that Saab 340 will be operating to and from ORD.

FlyingElvii wrote:

atrude777 wrote:

The Bids and Proposals are out for IRK, MWA and OWB

Cape Air, Southern Airways, and Contour have all placed bids.

Cape Air Bids: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7855-0188

Note: The Proposal Bid here covers all 3 Cities for IRK, MWA, and OWB

************************************************************************************************

Contour Airlines Bids: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7881-0101

Note: The Proposal Bid here covers all 3 Cities for IRK, MWA, and OWB
Alex

Wow...
I am really surprised by the scope of the Contour bid.

BNA-MWA-ORD-IRK-Return makes a lot of sense, but LF going to Chicago at all really surprises me.
ORD service has been a goal of MWA since the Great Lakes shutdown.

That second OWB-CLT could easily be made into an OWB-based PAH-ORD mid-day turn, as well. (CLT-OWB-PAH-ORD-Return)
With Contour opening ORD,that second CLT could become the ORD trip the city wants.

Kirksville folks were probably shocked to see a jet service offer, especially to ORD. That is going to be hard to turn down, even if Southern offers more flights a day.

QXorVX wrote:

I imagine Cape Air is going to have a hard time retaining Marion. But I also wonder how realistic that Saab 340 will be operating to and from ORD.

FlyingElvii wrote:

Wow...
I am really surprised by the scope of the Contour bid.

BNA-MWA-ORD-IRK-Return makes a lot of sense, but LF going to Chicago really surprises me.
ORD service has been a goal of MWA since the Great Lakes shutdown.

That second OWB-CLT could easily be made into an OWB-based PAH-ORD mid-day turn, as well. (CLT-OWB-PAH-ORD-Return)
With Contour opening ORD,that second CLT could become the ORD trip the city wants.

Kirksville folks were probably shocked to see a jet service offer, especially to ORD. That is going to be hard to turn down, even if Southern offers more flights a day.

Jshank83 wrote:

and their subsidy ask is WAY less for IRK and OWB. IRK is such a gap even if they pick contour I could see DOT overriding it.

FlyingElvii wrote:

Wow...
I am really surprised by the scope of the Contour bid.

BNA-MWA-ORD-IRK-Return makes a lot of sense, but LF going to Chicago really surprises me.
ORD service has been a goal of MWA since the Great Lakes shutdown.

That second OWB-CLT could easily be made into an OWB-based PAH-ORD mid-day turn, as well. (CLT-OWB-PAH-ORD-Return)
With Contour opening ORD,that second CLT could become the ORD trip the city wants.

Kirksville folks were probably shocked to see a jet service offer, especially to ORD. That is going to be hard to turn down, even if Southern offers more flights a day.

FlyingElvii wrote:

QXorVX wrote:

atrude777 wrote:

The Bids and Proposals are out for IRK, MWA and OWB

Cape Air, Southern Airways, and Contour have all placed bids.

Cape Air Bids: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7855-0188

Note: The Proposal Bid here covers all 3 Cities for IRK, MWA, and OWB

************************************************************************************************

Contour Airlines Bids: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7881-0101

Note: The Proposal Bid here covers all 3 Cities for IRK, MWA, and OWB

*************************************************************************************************

Southern Airways Express

MWA Bid: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7881-0102

IRK Bid: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -2515-0108

OWB-No Link as of this post but they do show on the proposal bid for the other two cities.

Let's see if more come in!

Lots of options and Variations! Will they stick with Cape Air? Will they go to Jet service with Contour?

Alex

I imagine Cape Air is going to have a hard time retaining Marion. But I also wonder how realistic that Saab 340 will be operating to and from ORD.

Not that bad, the SF-340B is more than capable
With hardly any turboprop flights to ORD in this era, it should be easy to slot a SAAB in between jet arrivals, just as they used to do.

BangersAndMash wrote:

I agree about ORD being surprising. They seemed to be making a conscious effort avoiding it in the last round of bidding at PAH and CGI so Contour clearly had a change of heart.

Positioning themselves to be able to bid for Upper Midwest markets? They were basically shut out from these with their existing bases and there's a whole bunch of them coming up (including the Delta markets with the CR2 retirements) that become possible if they can offer Chicago.

Kirksville should take the jet. That offer probably won't come back in a hurry.

Jshank83 wrote:

I know MWA hasn’t waived dual engine. Has OWB or IRK?

That probably will come into play. If you haven’t waived it before, Southern is probably out. Although if you pick the split with ORD and the 340 do you still have to waive it since there is some dual engine service included?

I personally think IRK is Capes bets shot of the 3. I am not sure how much they care about jet service as much as the other 2. Two things that help cape is dual engine, and their subsidy ask is WAY less for IRK and OWB. IRK is such a gap even if they pick contour I could see DOT overriding it.

usxguy wrote:

They can get 2 more Saabs from Jetstream Intl that are in good shape fairly fast. So think this is just a way to guarantee that.

I wonder if all passengers on Southern now get Alaska Airlines miles? or if its just flight-specific for the Mokulele brand in Hawai'i?

atrude777 wrote:

BangersAndMash wrote:

I agree about ORD being surprising. They seemed to be making a conscious effort avoiding it in the last round of bidding at PAH and CGI so Contour clearly had a change of heart.

Positioning themselves to be able to bid for Upper Midwest markets? They were basically shut out from these with their existing bases and there's a whole bunch of them coming up (including the Delta markets with the CR2 retirements) that become possible if they can offer Chicago.

Kirksville should take the jet. That offer probably won't come back in a hurry.

BangersandMash-

I too was surprised by Chicago with Contour as they don't serve it, and your point, it was not offered to CGI and PAH. Why now?

One thing though is that DOT does ask the airlines to TALK to the airports to see what they desire. Clearly, Marion told Contour and Southern Chicago, Cape Air, while serving Chicago, could not fly MWA-ORD without a Lavatory. PAH wanted CLT over Chicago, they did not like the Chicago Winter and Summer Thunderstorms. I don't know about CGI and what they would have preferred.

Here is the statement from DOT...

"The Department encourages air carriers to work with the communities as they prepare their proposals in order to craft a service proposal that meets the communities’ needs with subsidy requirements that remain competitive. The Department will fully consider the views of the communities and states before making an air carrier decision."

It seemed Contours only chance was offering Chicago and Nashville to Marion, Chicago to Kirksville, and I guess Owensboro wanted CLT over Chicago?

OWB right now also has a Southern Destination on Allegiant and with Jet Service to Orlando. CLT is adding an East connection to OWB. Not relevant but OWB already does have jet service, however granted, not under EAS.

Kirksville-Is the market there that much larger then UIN and BRL that Contour didn't want to serve them to ORD? UIN proved they can handle Jet service with SkyWest previously. I agree, IRK should go for Contour if they want the Jet Service, otherwise, they should stick with Cape Air because Cape Air is Multi Engine, offers AA Codeshare with Mileage and more Interline.

Jshank83 wrote:

I know MWA hasn’t waived dual engine. Has OWB or IRK?

That probably will come into play. If you haven’t waived it before, Southern is probably out. Although if you pick the split with ORD and the 340 do you still have to waive it since there is some dual engine service included?

I personally think IRK is Capes bets shot of the 3. I am not sure how much they care about jet service as much as the other 2. Two things that help cape is dual engine, and their subsidy ask is WAY less for IRK and OWB. IRK is such a gap even if they pick contour I could see DOT overriding it.

I don't believe that OWB and IRK have waived dual engine. They had nearly the same airlines MWA did.

If you guys recall in 2007 when the FAA shut down Regions Air, there is a gap where the airports did not see air service until Great Lakes took over (also dual engine) in 2008, until Cape Air took over in 2009/2010.

JShanks-Question of the day too with the Saab 340, if MWA/IRK/OWB can fly it, and don't have to waive the dual, it's a nice option to keep STL (same as Cape Air), and add a Chicago destination. Saab 340 has a Lavatory and a F/A on board, 30 seats.

However, as I mentioned again, if the cities are going to stay with a prop...they need to stick with Cape Air because of the AA Codeshare, ability to earn miles and more interline agreements then Southern Airways.

The only reason to drop Cape Air now, is to go full jet service with Contour.

Southern Airways Express's Proposal for Owensboro is now Up:
Source: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7855-0190

Southern for OWB is offerin 1 Daily Saab 340 to ORD, and 2 Daily to STL for a total of 21 Weekly

Alex

jcwr56 wrote:

While the carriers talk with the cities that desire the service, usually it's an after the fact coming to talk with ORD. Southern lucked out United was willing to take them on at F2 but checkin is still on common use facilities at T3. Cape Air still uses the EAS area for parking that is moving to T5 in March. DAC uses T5 to park their aircraft and busses over to T3. If UA or AA don't want to accommodate Contour, I can see them operating like DAC or the CDA pushes them directly to T5.

atrude777 wrote:

jcwr56 wrote:

While the carriers talk with the cities that desire the service, usually it's an after the fact coming to talk with ORD. Southern lucked out United was willing to take them on at F2 but checkin is still on common use facilities at T3. Cape Air still uses the EAS area for parking that is moving to T5 in March. DAC uses T5 to park their aircraft and busses over to T3. If UA or AA don't want to accommodate Contour, I can see them operating like DAC or the CDA pushes them directly to T5.

Jcw-I was going to bring this up too with Southern and Cape Air and the connecting opportunities.

Cape Air right now with their proposal is offering inside security connections in STL and ORD, as well as Southern in STL and ORD (As you pointed out thanks to UA's willingness to accommodate).

Contour if selected for Chicago would probably be forced to Terminal 5. While yes, they are connecting to an AA Hub, the disadvantage of going from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3 is going to be bad. The bag at least would be checked all the way through, so the passenger just has to get themselves to Terminal 3.

I had it in my head that AA was potentially going to offer a bus for AA Passengers due to DAC and Cape Air when they relocate but cannot find confirmation. Was that a rumor I made up?! Haha

For all the bells and whistle's Contour offers with Jet Service, Non-Stop to Chicago and Interline, the lack of inside security connections, and while minor, still a sticking point, the inability to earn AA miles is not going to help.

I am local to Chicago but am from Carbondale and use MWA, so clearly, I would like Contour or even Southern, but I can't ignore the disadvantage to the flying public too for those local cities switching to Contour.

Would be curious if Contour spoke to Chicago and worked something out before discussing to the 3 EAS Cities?

Alex

atrude777 wrote:

For all the bells and whistle's Contour offers with Jet Service, Non-Stop to Chicago and Interline, the lack of inside security connections, and while minor, still a sticking point, the inability to earn AA miles is not going to help.

Alex

jcwr56 wrote:

atrude777 wrote:

BangersAndMash wrote:

I agree about ORD being surprising. They seemed to be making a conscious effort avoiding it in the last round of bidding at PAH and CGI so Contour clearly had a change of heart.

Positioning themselves to be able to bid for Upper Midwest markets? They were basically shut out from these with their existing bases and there's a whole bunch of them coming up (including the Delta markets with the CR2 retirements) that become possible if they can offer Chicago.

Kirksville should take the jet. That offer probably won't come back in a hurry.

BangersandMash-

I too was surprised by Chicago with Contour as they don't serve it, and your point, it was not offered to CGI and PAH. Why now?

One thing though is that DOT does ask the airlines to TALK to the airports to see what they desire. Clearly, Marion told Contour and Southern Chicago, Cape Air, while serving Chicago, could not fly MWA-ORD without a Lavatory. PAH wanted CLT over Chicago, they did not like the Chicago Winter and Summer Thunderstorms. I don't know about CGI and what they would have preferred.

Here is the statement from DOT...

"The Department encourages air carriers to work with the communities as they prepare their proposals in order to craft a service proposal that meets the communities’ needs with subsidy requirements that remain competitive. The Department will fully consider the views of the communities and states before making an air carrier decision."

It seemed Contours only chance was offering Chicago and Nashville to Marion, Chicago to Kirksville, and I guess Owensboro wanted CLT over Chicago?

OWB right now also has a Southern Destination on Allegiant and with Jet Service to Orlando. CLT is adding an East connection to OWB. Not relevant but OWB already does have jet service, however granted, not under EAS.

Kirksville-Is the market there that much larger then UIN and BRL that Contour didn't want to serve them to ORD? UIN proved they can handle Jet service with SkyWest previously. I agree, IRK should go for Contour if they want the Jet Service, otherwise, they should stick with Cape Air because Cape Air is Multi Engine, offers AA Codeshare with Mileage and more Interline.

Jshank83 wrote:

I know MWA hasn’t waived dual engine. Has OWB or IRK?

That probably will come into play. If you haven’t waived it before, Southern is probably out. Although if you pick the split with ORD and the 340 do you still have to waive it since there is some dual engine service included?

I personally think IRK is Capes bets shot of the 3. I am not sure how much they care about jet service as much as the other 2. Two things that help cape is dual engine, and their subsidy ask is WAY less for IRK and OWB. IRK is such a gap even if they pick contour I could see DOT overriding it.

I don't believe that OWB and IRK have waived dual engine. They had nearly the same airlines MWA did.

If you guys recall in 2007 when the FAA shut down Regions Air, there is a gap where the airports did not see air service until Great Lakes took over (also dual engine) in 2008, until Cape Air took over in 2009/2010.

JShanks-Question of the day too with the Saab 340, if MWA/IRK/OWB can fly it, and don't have to waive the dual, it's a nice option to keep STL (same as Cape Air), and add a Chicago destination. Saab 340 has a Lavatory and a F/A on board, 30 seats.

However, as I mentioned again, if the cities are going to stay with a prop...they need to stick with Cape Air because of the AA Codeshare, ability to earn miles and more interline agreements then Southern Airways.

The only reason to drop Cape Air now, is to go full jet service with Contour.

Southern Airways Express's Proposal for Owensboro is now Up:
Source: https://www.regulations.gov/document/DO ... -7855-0190

Southern for OWB is offerin 1 Daily Saab 340 to ORD, and 2 Daily to STL for a total of 21 Weekly

Alex

While the carriers talk with the cities that desire the service, usually it's an after the fact coming to talk with ORD. Southern lucked out United was willing to take them on at F2 but checkin is still on common use facilities at T3. Cape Air still uses the EAS area for parking that is moving to T5 in March. DAC uses T5 to park their aircraft and busses over to T3. If UA or AA don't want to accommodate Contour, I can see them operating like DAC or the CDA pushes them directly to T5.

Wingtips56 wrote:

As a public charter, is LF allowed to codeshare and FQTV-link with a scheduled carrier?

Having been through the go-home-and-wait-for-a-call reaccommodation process from canceled LF flights, (they can't rebook you at the airport), I suspect their IT systems are too remedial to support ticketing and codesharing. As it stands, you can book and ticket AA/LF journeys through AA, but not through LF. (Unless there have been recent system upgrades since I last looked.)

BangersAndMash wrote:

Wingtips56 wrote:

As a public charter, is LF allowed to codeshare and FQTV-link with a scheduled carrier?

Having been through the go-home-and-wait-for-a-call reaccommodation process from canceled LF flights, (they can't rebook you at the airport), I suspect their IT systems are too remedial to support ticketing and codesharing. As it stands, you can book and ticket AA/LF journeys through AA, but not through LF. (Unless there have been recent system upgrades since I last looked.)

Codesharing is possible. The biggest obstacle, I'd say, is the fact that public charters collect revenue from ticket sales into an escrow account and can only access this once the flight has been completed. For a large carrier, that's too much effort for too little reward.

Re: LF's website, I thought you could now book connecting itineraries on there. That's what LF are saying anyway. They've been working on upgrading their IT systems. Haven't tried it myself though so take that with a pinch of salt.

FlyingElvii wrote:

BangersAndMash wrote:

Wingtips56 wrote:

As a public charter, is LF allowed to codeshare and FQTV-link with a scheduled carrier?

Having been through the go-home-and-wait-for-a-call reaccommodation process from canceled LF flights, (they can't rebook you at the airport), I suspect their IT systems are too remedial to support ticketing and codesharing. As it stands, you can book and ticket AA/LF journeys through AA, but not through LF. (Unless there have been recent system upgrades since I last looked.)

Codesharing is possible. The biggest obstacle, I'd say, is the fact that public charters collect revenue from ticket sales into an escrow account and can only access this once the flight has been completed. For a large carrier, that's too much effort for too little reward.

Re: LF's website, I thought you could now book connecting itineraries on there. That's what LF are saying anyway. They've been working on upgrading their IT systems. Haven't tried it myself though so take that with a pinch of salt.

The last I heard, and that was some months ago, was that a better interface with Sabre was in the works. But it was also a lower priority given the recent growth.
LF going to full Sabre is likely NOT an option, IMHO. Using Sabre is EXPENSIVE, and probably prohibitive at Contour's volumes.

While LF seems to have a reasonably close relationship with a lot of folks inside AA, I wouldn't look for anything beyond "Connection " status for some time. AA doesn't give away those FF miles for free, and they keep getting more expensive.

That is not necessarily a bad thing, IMHO.
AA has been slowly moving toward a "Connection" regime with self-branded carriers since before 2020.

TexasAirCorp wrote:

Just had a look and am surprised to learn you can now book domestic AA connections via Contour’s site. AA destinations are marked separately from LF destinations, if you scroll down in the dropdown menu you eventually get to ‘All Destinations’ which shows everywhere AA flies to.

Feel the need to note that the cheapest fare I could find from BUF to CKB (first route that came to mind for some reason) is $1200, and that’s in June.

BangersAndMash wrote:

Absolutely! The ability to earn miles for AA frequent flyers in the absence of a codeshare is a net cost to AA. And it's hard for LF to justify the extra IT expense required to make a codeshare possible.

If some kind of frequent flyer tie up happens, and that's a big if, I'd expect AA to try and recoup at least some of these costs. The price of connecting itineraries, which have historically tended to be pretty fairly priced, could go up as a result.

atrude777 wrote:

ILikeTrains wrote:

FlyingElvii wrote:

What is going to happen to Del Rio?
Will they be able to get some legislation returning them to EAS?
(Especially considering the size and scope of the nearby Air Force Base?)

From what I can tell DRT will be fine. They now get 2x daily CRJ700s which is a sizeable up gauge from the 2x ERJ145s that were the norm when I was there.

Good old Del Rio by the Sea.

American announced earlier they will be closing DRT along with two other cities. That's why the poster was asking...

Source: https://thepointsguy.com/news/american-cuts-us-cities/
When American pulls out of Del Rio, it’ll leave the Texas city without any commercial airline service. Historically, American Eagle affiliate Envoy Air has flown to Del Rio from American's mega-hub at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).


Alex

FlyingSicilian wrote:

Before AA DRT had UA e xpress to IAH. They would be welcome back but UA regionals have been cutting many smaller Texas cities during the pilot shortage.

TWA772LR wrote:

FlyingSicilian wrote:

Before AA DRT had UA e xpress to IAH. They would be welcome back but UA regionals have been cutting many smaller Texas cities during the pilot shortage.

OT but still hard to believe UA dropped IAH-CLL even with A&M more than likely backing there service (can't prove it but it makes sense). Sucks to see COs old intra Texas network to be a shell of itself. I remember Skywest 120s and Colgan Saabs buzzing over my house in and out of IAH coming all over the region and I kinda regret not taking one of those flights just for kicks but I was a child and there was nothing I could do. At least I got on the Q400s, those were a nice ride.

bval wrote:

BangersAndMash wrote:

Absolutely! The ability to earn miles for AA frequent flyers in the absence of a codeshare is a net cost to AA. And it's hard for LF to justify the extra IT expense required to make a codeshare possible.

If some kind of frequent flyer tie up happens, and that's a big if, I'd expect AA to try and recoup at least some of these costs. The price of connecting itineraries, which have historically tended to be pretty fairly priced, could go up as a result.

DL are doing this with Cape Air in the Northeast without a codeshare. It can be done. Now that AA miles are directly related to dollars spent, there could be something here. The fares are subsidized and so inherently are low cost / low mileage earning, and gets members onto connecting flights.