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[BLOCKQUOTE][BR]----------------[BR]On 11/4/2002 4:09:19 PM Cosmo wrote:[BR][BR]But the final point to consider is that DOT has used these beyond-perimeter slots to strengthen smaller and weaker carriers. That's why HP, AS and F9 have five of the six current beyond-perimeter slots. And of the applicants for the sixth and final slot, IMHO the six large network majors by definition don't qualify (their current financial problems notwithstanding), HP already has three of the six available slots and thus won't get another, and AS doesn't have a hub at LAX. Therefore (drumroll, please), the slot will be awarded to F9 for its second daily DCA-DEN flight.----------------[/BLOCKQUOTE][BR][BR]Actually - AS is counting on the same feed that at LAX as TW did to win the route the first time. TWA used a codeshare agreement with AA Eagle to promote the idea that they could connect pax to DCA via LAX who have no other one-stop connection options. More or less they pretended to have an LAX hub with Eagle. The only online connection from LAX for DCA pax would have been Kona, HA. It worked... They got the slot...[BR][BR]When TWA was merged into AA, the exemption did not go to AA by federal law, which requires the slot to be given via a new process. It went to AS on the strength of their connecting opportunities at SEA. [BR][BR]Now that N7 has relinqueshed their slot, I think AS has the same opportunity that TW had and more. Not only does AS codeshare with AA Eagle, but they can also offer online conx to places like Boise, Medford, Eugene, Vancouver, and Mexico. Remember, the intent of the legislation was to allow for one-stop connections to communities that could not get one-stop connections to DCA due to their proximity to Western Hubs outside the Perimeter rule. Example, the only way to get a one-stop connection from DCA to Yuma is over LAX or PHX. Nobody flies Yuma-DFW.[BR][BR]Also, the LAX area press and Congressional delegation were very critical of the fact that LAX lost the service.[BR][BR]Since Frontier already has 1 DEN trip, I think AS wins LAX. I think the top two are close with the others far behind in my ranking:[BR][BR]1. AS - LAX - using conx to AA Eagle plus Horizon and Alaska[BR][BR]2. F9 - DEN - using conx to Great Lakes codeshare markets[BR][BR]3. US - SFO - strong application, using UA's SFO hub for connections, but US does not fit the orginal intent of the bill... however, sympathy for US could help this one into No. 3 instead of No. 4 where it should be...[BR][BR]4. DL - SLC - strong application, using their online SLC conx especially to places like Idaho Falls and Elko, NV, but DL doesn't fit the original intent either.[BR][BR]5. HP - LAS - the already have 3 beyond slots, can't imagine any carrier being given more than 1/2 the beyond slots. Also, HP doesn't serve alot of the destinations that would be covered by DL or US/UA like Eureka, or Helena.[BR][BR]6. UA/AA - LAX - if they want LAX, they will go with AS...[BR][BR]
