Originally Posted by Ellen

Cost isn't the only thing. There is something called execution too.
There will always be someone who is going to be a lower price than you can bid for, especially if that is all they can offer (MESA) for example.

However, MESA is cancelling many flights out of IAD and ORD this summer. I'm sure UAL is NOT saying "oh well, but MESA is a lower cost than perhaps SKYW." I GUARANTEE UAL is not saying that. The low cost MESA provides is actually costing UAL more dollars because MESA cannot execute.

If you have ever been in business for yourself, there comes a point where you have to say "NO" to business because it isn't profitable. Unfortunately, most airline executives don't realize this. The only two regionals that have a clue these days are RJET and SKYW.