It won't be surprising if a couple regionals close their doors, causing pilots to flock to the WOs, even if they don't offer industry leading pay.

The more the WOs grow the AA is less reliant on contract feed. As UAL and DAL bring regional flying in house, the effect will be the same.

Eventually the music is going to stop at the regional level and not every company will have a chair. That's where WO/SSP program regionals will their staffing. It suck for those who have to start over laterally but hopefully the majors will call them by then.