No, it's a strategic move. They need to begin the process of bringing other camels noses thru the tent flap, but they also want to use it as just enough of a message to produce a result. See, if AMR announced another carrier flying perhaps 75 E-175's out of ORD and DFW, it would create too much anger and would jeopardize a contract vote instead of improve its chances. No turning back on that either, once announced.

This move is just enough to both start a process they're going to anyway and just enough of a love tap to send the message they want. Once they get the agreement with the pilots, then they are free to act with impunity.

Horse before cart.