Good points. Also, since the game has changed, and pilot recruiting is the main concern for EVERY airline, majors are no longer looking for the "cheapest" feed. They are looking for reliability. They are looking to see who will be able to staff consistently going forward. The more competitive airlines from the pilot's perspective are the airlines that will be able to staff. Major airline contract negotiators know that. They are also very well aware of who the high paying regionals are and who the low paying regionals are. They know the lower paying regionals will have a harder time staffing as things become more crucial. And they will act accordingly.