No one in the airline industry, with even a lick of sense, would ever get too big for their britches. Just too volatile of an industry. And one of the few jobs that doesn't pay you for your experience, just your seniority number. Rather ridiculous compared to other jobs out there, but that's the way it is.

As for the flow... what happens when the regionals can't keep up with the hiring? Will people continue to flow upwards? Would AA drain their three regionals dry to get more mainline pilots, or cut the flow to keep the RJs flying?