History has shown it's easier to axe a wholly owned. No court, no questions asked. At least with Skywest, ASA, and Pinnacle, they would have huge court battles to fight, because it would be "company vs. company."

It's a touchy subject and I wish no one a job loss, but it would seem that the most cost efficient and painless option for Delta as a company (but not for pilots) would be:

Dissolve Comair & dump Mesa

Give XJs 900s away to Skywest, ASA, and Pinnacle

Use Compass as a flowback relief valve for NWA would-be furloughs

Use Mesaba for EAS lift in the Saabs