No one doubts the ruthless cost savings mentality of regional/RFP/ACMI executives. But at the same time they know where their money comes from. That doesn't mean they still don't get burned from their own short sighted greed or misjudgment, but I'm sure any manager at CPZ knows the ramafications from DL, their only "customer", of significantly harming their operation from something as basic, guaranteed and predictable as that. Another variable is attrition outside the flow as the industry/hiring market rapidly starts to pick up steam. If CPZ staffed the absolute min and threw flows to DL indoc the second they could then got caught stuck in the chocks they would be in trouble. DL has made and makes bad decisions WRT regional providers, but one thing they always make sure they have is a big hammer to pound regionals that drop the ball operationally.

They might sit around all night worrying about how to save 2 cents in per diem off a 5 day, but they know if they get burned from something as basic as this they will get punished hard. There is a cost to hold back but it is very minimal, they carried it last time and they are carring it now at least to some degree.