Originally Posted by
WesternSkies
Unfortunately they won't be replaced one-for-one. Some routes offer easy up-gauging, but those frequent-fliers who are going to "love" the removal of 50 seaters will hate when *mid-sized-city* has three flight options then sits four hours in Denver for the next Podunk Express. Hey my nipples are as hard as the next guys to move flying to mainline but the landscape of air travel we and the public have grown accustomed to will be changed. Frequency breeds business, always has.
Commuting could get even worse too. It's not all gold.
I think what will happen over the next few years will be good for the industry and the profession long term. Although I think it will be a tough transition and a difficult pill to swallow for many. Regionals will shrink. 50 seaters will go away. Many cities will experience less frequency of flights as those three 50 seat RJs are replaced either by one mainline flight or maybe even one or two 80ish seat RJ flights. Other cities will lose air service altogether. Commuting will become more and more difficult.
I had a feeling that Boeing was going to make it tough on United to want to start flying 175s, 190s, or even the C-series. I'm sure they made them a sweet deal for those 73's.