The industry is in an interesting squeeze. Massive pilot retirements, new FAA rest rules, the ATP requirement, regional pay reaching its lowest acceptable limit for many, rising oil prices, consolidations, scope take back, and the desire for cheap tickets are causing strange manifestations. Every regional wants bigger planes to cover higher operating costs, but some markets don't have enough passengers to support the larger planes. Majors must pay regionals more money for the small markets if they want the feed. Those customers who want local airline service have to start paying more too.