Originally Posted by
jc94
If we make the hypothetical premise that AQD is helping AC, by reducing the number of people with status ... why did AC offer people the chance to "buy up" to another level.
The answer is simple: cold, hard, 100% free and clear cash needing 0 avgas, 0 gate fees, 0 wear on airframes, 0 staff, etc.
This being contrary to "loyalty" and possibly (likely) a bad long term thing is a different question. But buddy looking at next quarters bottom line when making that decision got his steak knives.
(I say that as someone who flew on his own dime YHZ/YYZ/YHZ on Dec 31 to get AQS 95 and 96)