I think Saab is right... to an extent.

Here is my thought on how things MIGHT evolve industry wide:

* Its no secret that most of the BIG legacy type carriers are planning on focusing on international business and VERY long haul domestic, there will be exceptions where they feel they can turn a profit at that level but much reduced from today
* Where as 20-25 years ago you had 10-12 major carriers and just a few "commuter" lines..... I think we are headed for a THREE tiered system as the industry moves forward.
-- the Big legacy and there long haul routes
-- large national/regional Jet carriers who ( whether we like it or not ) are going to fill the domestic void in the 70-100 seat market ( most still contracting i think (
-- and smaller Tprop and 50 seat jet carriers that can operate to markets were those size aircraft make sense.

NOW... before you go screaming about scope.... I understand... For the above to happen scope has to change ( i dont like it... but I still think it has a good chance of happening ).

All that international lift is useless if they cant feed it domestically. And the flying public nearly as much as low prices demand frequency which can be achieved with smaller aircraft... no its probably NOT cheaper to fly say 4 E170 's where 2 737's could do, but you give the public MORE choice thus a better chance and garnering that business. Aircraft at this level of the business AND the mainline end of things have been increasing in size FOREVER.

This business is changing ( not all for the better mind you ) and the companies at all levels that will survive are the ones that will adapt to the change and embrace it rather than fighting it at every turn.

Nobody has all the answers or knows how this will play out. But those companies and employee groups who fail to adapt or change will be gone.