Originally Posted by
SchmutzigMSP
You will not be able to purchase a ticket on 012 stock after inventory cutover (when the reservations systems are fully merged). This is currently planned for very early Q1 2010. It has nothing to do with the loyalty programs.
There will of course be existing "012" reservations floating "out there" for some time after inventory cutover, but they will be able to be fully handled by reservations agents and agents at the airport.
I agree with everything you said, including intergration... except "fully". The the traveller, fully intergrated outstations check-ins would have a DL Red Elite line. Fully, to 012 and WP, is a fluid term.
012 is the red-headed step-child, and will always have some challenges in ir-ops, and in the smaller stations. I'd still recommend that someone buy 006 stock, if they are flying after the 006 back-end reservations merging date. Flying on the stock of the operating carrier is still strongly recommended.