1. Cost. New large turboprops cost a lot of money that many airlines don't have. They have either long-term RJ leases with substantial penalties for breaking or own those 50-seat outright. It may be cheaper to run RJs with fuel at $3/gal than it is to sell them, considering their cycles and relative value on the used aircraft market.

2. Lead time. I think orders are sold out for both the Q400 and the ATR for a couple years, at least.

3. Public perception. Many won't want to fly the Mega Whacker but will if it makes a $30 difference in the price of their ticket. Besides, modern turboprops aren't your father's Metroliner or Jetstream 31.

In my personal opinion, Colgan getting into the Q400 market was a very savvy long-term business move, and PNCL buying them was ever smarter. I said over a year ago that if AWAC wanted to survive beyond 2015 they should get large turboprops. After shunning 70 seat RJs, I hope ATW has some forward thinkers now that see the need of spending money to make money.

Personally, I'll fly anything as long as the payrate is right...