FFD can still be cheap, just not as cheap. Having a contractor still allows you a lot of flexibility. The whipsaw allure is still too great. The majors will go kicking and screaming, but they may just pay more in order not to have to assume so many sunk costs and liability. Also, they can arrange to make the feeders into the "internship" to mainline in order to extend the regional model as long as possible--just like Delta is trying with Endeavor.