Yep, but going to 125 seats from 50, 70 (64 mixed-class) or even 90 (76-82 mixed-class), might indeed make sense. The key is to get glorified regional labor costs with slightly higher hourly wages then RJ's but basically regional scheduling and work rules and 401(k)'s.

The first hogs to do that will snort their way back to the trough on the backs of pilots once again. AA may be about to make that happen and be the first (and thus fattest) hogs in that trough. Certain other hogs will envy the glottonous ravaging they witness and will be snorting and carrying on until they too can bury their snouts as deep as possible and gorge themselves to the bursting point.

It's going to be a fabulous decade to be a hog in the airline business. Not so good to be a pilot though.