Originally Posted by dondk

not exactly true...

the initial aircraft are a "test" and based on performance and ONLY performance if Pinnacle meets the requirements then it is possible for an additional 16 -900. SLC and LAX were discussed, but due to high COL in LAX, it was suggested a wait and see approach. Also Mesa and recently Express Jet have been dabbling in LAX. Mesa not so lucky and I don't know about Expressjet.

Historically, Express 1 (former Pinnacle) signed a 10 year agreement for only 54 RJ's, that became 75, then 97, then 129, then 114, then 129 on the backs of NWA and XJ pilots. don't forget, NWA is slightly different animal then DCI. DCI has several carriers that don't fly very many aircraft for them because they can split up amongst all the DCI carriers.