could you take a stab at commenting on the government’s use of the term “hubsite” and why it doesn’t align with the common industry use of it?

Well, I don’t know the answer, but I’ve sent a note to a friend who works over there and she’s going to do her best to find out. I’ll keep you posted when (if) I get an answer.

Dan – On Ream, I think I agree with you. It’s still tough to go from running the show to having a direct boss again (one that isn’t the board of directors). But yeah, I’d probably agree with you.
For ONT, I was specifically referring to Visalia to Ontario and not overall. I think that’s fairly clear. There are no real connecting opportunities at Ontario so that’s a big issue for a flight like that.

Fair enough… but could you take a stab at commenting on the government’s use of the term “hubsite” and why it doesn’t align with the common industry use of it? I could never figure it out. Further, why do they bother with these EAS subsidies for non-hub flying? I’d get it if it was an SFO, LAX, DEN, or SLC connection (or anything like that) but ONT is a joke… at the tax payer’s expense.

For ONT, I was specifically referring to Visalia to Ontario and not overall. I think that’s fairly clear. There are no real connecting opportunities at Ontario so that’s a big issue for a flight like that.

Why does the government use the term “hub” wrt EAS awards, when the industry doesn’t?

Second, if nobody wants to go to ONT (as you said in your article) then why do you think higher fees alone are killing the ONT market? I think ONT’s problem is a combination of both higher fees AND lower demand.

Isn’t a good comparison, say, going from a head coach at a Division I school and becoming an Offensive or Defensive coordinator for a pro team?

As you point out, American is a much more complex machine than ExpressJet — I don’t necessarily see that move as step down; worst case, it’s a side-step.