DLax85....I like the way you think! Nice anaylisis.....my point exactly in the opening of this thread, except I still believe that the situation was exacerbated by the reluctance of FO's bidding the seats. It is a known fact that in terms of potential solutions, hiring was the least desired outcome. So with costs already escalating from the factors you so aptly pointed out in your post, having to hire off the street may have been the straw that broke the camels back.