Thanks for finding that post by Jeff DP-340. He goes on to say:
"... should a Diamond or Platinum Medallion purchase a YBM fare internationally and there are empty seats in Business Class on the day of departure, we will now upgrade them using these certificates."
I hate to tell you Jeff, but you are going to have a lot of empty seats because all the Elites are running to CO and AA.

Delta has hundreds ... literally. In fact Delta owns 4 regionals and contracts with several other others including its former failure ASA.

RJ's are only part of the picture with CO. UA gives us mainline options where CO often doesn't.

CO has 266 Regionals against a fleet total of 602
DL has 251 against a fleet total of 1001

However if you count DC9's and MD's

DL has 453 against a fleet total of 1001

Why would you count those Douglas airplanes as RJs? I fail to understand that reasoning.

I did not include them I added them after the fact because they are considered regional jets (and called that on DL's site). The CO fleet does not include any of those birds and there is a distinction between a 737-800 and a DC9, that's all.

Whatever they are called, I (and probably you as well) cannot equate them to the likes of CRJs and EMBs since they are light years ahead of those in comfort. As far as I am concerned, they are mainliners and I am quite satisfied when I see one of them at my gate.

I would certainly agree on the MD80's/90's but the DC'9s in Y are horrible in my opinion. I would put them JUST over a ERJ145 in comfort in Y (plus they have an average age of 36.5 years old and some much older). I think it bears mention because the spirit of the question is more about how often you will be "stuck" on a really poor ac. That said DL is retiring the DC'9s soon (I think I read that).

If you fly CO you are flying 737's most of the time and connecting on an RJ. If I move to CO I will likely do 75% of my INT flying on CO and much of my Domestic on UA crediting CO. That is the best play IMO.

If you feel that you are "stuck" when you fly a DC9, that is your problem. I have never felt that way and always have been grateful that there was no RJ at my gate.

I frequently do not have the liberty of changing my flight time and destination in order to avoid a certain type of aircraft and have absolutely no problem with the DC9s and MD88s. I find the age of the aircraft to be immaterial to my comfort and convenience, as long as the seats are not broken.

One fact to add is that I cannot remember the last time that I was not upgraded on one of those aircraft, either for many years as a CO gold or plat and now as a PM.

As far as the topic of the thread is concerned, I will repeat that I do not believe that this announcement by CO will spur any action whatever from DL, where the bigdomes (in their wisdom) probably think that CO's action was a response to their earlier loosening of the PMU rules. :rolleyes:

That must be b/c you fly business internationally? I would do the opposite of you, since I usually buy coach: fly CO domestically (best chance of an upgrade) and UA internationally (sit in E+).

Yes indeed.

+1^

I have no problems with DC9s. Then, again, I don't recall flying on a DC9 when I didn't receive the upgrade. :D

I don't mind a slightly older aircraft, if it comes with a more experienced pilot. When you fly a mainline aircraft you get a mainline pilot... who is likely to be a hell of a lot more experienced than the RJ pilot.

I ended up on a recent RJ flight where, if you had added up the ages of the pilot and the first officer, you would likely have needed to add another ten years to get the total into the vicinity of retirement age.
:rolleyes:

I encourage everyone to use the contact us feature and once again.... let them know how huge this is and what the potential loss to DL is. I hope, though I won't hold my breath about this, that they will change course and expand the usability of SWUs. :rolleyes:

+1
just sent mine.

+1. I refuse to fly RJs but will fly an MD any day...

I thought I replied to this yesterday. If I am posting again I am sorry for being blind today.

DL has said award availability for DM is better for Domestic, not international awards.