Shy,

We all have the advantage of hindsight now. As to why people would stay some reasons were given. It was a case of perception. Being junior, I moved on as soon as I could. I'm sure the senior people now are not at all happy with the present situation not just their personal situation but also Comair's too. They held out hope that things would recover as OH went through NG2,3,4 and whatever they are up to now.
I was recently in Narita with some UA and CO guys. They also spoke of how trhings had changed for them in ways they would have never dreamed in their worst dreams (regarding the last 15years). It's not just OH that has hit a wall, the difference is, as you mention, being wholly owned they are at the owning airlines mercy in the race to the bottom that is not a good place to be.
One thing posters fail to mention is the great people who are at OH and their families. Hopefully DL pulls a "just kidding" and lets the good people continue.