Originally Posted by
bse118
It is very unlikely that the new AA will give up any beyond perimeter DCA slots as part of what they have to give up. When the latest round of beyond perimeter exemptions (the perimeter restriction still exists, and has not been lifted) were granted in 2012 AS, B6, WN and VX were granted new slots. AA, US, UA and DL had to give up an existing in-perimeter slot and "trade" it for a beyond perimeter slot. AA is not going to voluntarily give those slots up.
It's the DoJ not the DoT that's forcing new AA to give up DCA slots, as part of the merger settlement. These slots will be just the typical in-perimeter service, and not come out of any of the several "special" type slots at DCA.
Not to mention that once the Silver Line is fully operational, there will finally be a rail link from IAD to the city. Granted, not nearly as convenient as taking the Metro to/from DCA, but it removes one of the larger arguments for UA expanding ops at DCA.