Originally Posted by
ethernal
AA may have specific contracts in place to avoid price hikes on a short term basis (e.g., they may contract 30 days forward) but refined petroleum prices are already starting to spike in the Southeast. So tankering would actually save money where feasible. Fuel at $3/gallon versus $4/gallon allows a lot of extra weight to be carried. Of course, there are limits to which routes can actually allow tankering.
Today is the first day that we're seeing a big response on gasoline. Lots of localized shortages, although this seems to be more a result of panic buying than actual distillate shortages in the region (still plenty in storage - just shortages at gas stations) - although panic buying could lead to actual real shortages.
Per Colonial, the pipeline should restart operations Friday. If that happens, I think ATL will be okay. Anything that extends beyond Friday could put ATL at serious risk of fuel shortages. I'm assuming Delta is planning (and has already taken) some contingencies here in terms of tankering, fuel stops, and non-traditional delivery via truck.
Although they may restart operations, fuel moves very slowly through the pipeline. Although fuel may begin moving towards its destination, it may be 1-2 weeks before everywhere is fully supplied with fuel again.