The Major 3 can choose not to accept the higher paying CPA. Both Delta and United have already begun instituting plans to deal with diminishing regional feeds. For example: United has made plans for additional 777s, 737s and 320s to take over the regional routes (of course at a reduced frequency) I believe UA announced that they will have an additional 105 daily departures by next year to cover a reduction of 580 daily regional departures. AA is the only one that I have not seen to be preparing for this eventuality. In true AAG fashion, they will follow the market leaders and institute similar strategies in the near future. With the preexisting E190s fleet at LUS/AA, they will likely be able to transition future or existing E175 aircraft or orders over to the mainline operation quickly should they need to.

In any case, IMO, I do not see the Big 3 agreeing to significant increases in their CPAs. While not wishing misfortune on the RAH pilots, I think ALL regional pilots can agree that it is in our collective best interests to see the major airlines choose to add more mainline airframes to their fleets over paying higher prices for "regional" lift.