So maybe they are giving up the 5 seats in "good faith," in order to get a concession from the pilots to allow more large jets.

It's clear what they are doing. 17% of all domestic flying was done by regionals in 2001. In 2012 it was 53%. Now you have E-175s flying routes like Houston to Montreal, and I'm willing to bet AA charges the same wether they use a 175 or 737. But they make more on that ticket if they use a 175 flown by a regional. It's good business from a management standpoint, but stinks for us.