<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AH-64D:
>>>>robb said: " I don't know if the turnover rate or average mileages are correct, but these seem like reasonable numbers, and do benefit the 20 people who wouldn't have requalified at the expense of the 100 people who flew the miles."<<<<
If you don't know if the turnover rate or average mileages are correct then what make you think your numbers are reasonable? I can come up with any number of scenarios that would make AA look like a genius, but what is the point without empirical fact.</font>
My disclaimer was that these numbers are selected as a semi-educated guess but that I don't know the actual numbers, but I'll try to dust off my poor proof-writing skills.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Proof:
Let x = # Re-Qualified Under Policy.
Let y = # Qualified New
Let z = # Re-Qualified w/o Policy.
y + z = # of 2002 Elites w/o Program.
x + y + z = # of 2002 Elites w/ Program.
Since all numbers must be >= 0 (If this isn't obvious, I'm happy to support it),
x + y + z > x + z, and there will be x more elites with the program than without.
That's an obvious outcome, so let's address the issue of "Elite Equivalents" based on miles flown. It is an increase in elite equivalents that yields increased competition for the befits of elite status.
Let e represent the elite level requirement. e miles flown = 1 Elite Equivalent (EE).
Y EE's >= ye.
Z EE's >= ze.
Can we agree that at least 1 mile will be flown in group x, even though I can't mathematically prove it?
Therefore, 0 < X EE's < xe, and there exists a number n (0 < n < x) such that X EE's >= (x/n)e.
EE's w/o Program >= (y + z) e.
EE's w/ Program >= (x/n + y + z) e.
Since x/n > 0, and y and z have no reason to increase flying because of the program, then:
EE's with plan > EE's without plan.
Q.E.D.</font>
Since EE's definitely increase, then it's only a matter of degree of how much this dilutes the benefit to the y group and z group. I don't see how you can turn that into AA is a genius for hurting y's and z's for the benefit of x's.
Edited to make a few sections more clear.
[This message has been edited by robb (edited 09-28-2001).]