Both Trans States and Chautauqua had TWE contracts with large severence penalties. When AA bought TWA, they chose to keep the former TWE contracts instead of absorbing the cost of severance.

That decision might have "screwed" Eagle, but it was a decision by AMR management based solely upon cost. CHQ & TSA pilots didn't get together and say "how can we steal Eagle's flying?" I'm pretty sure AX jet flying hasn't grown much (although markets have changed) while Eagle has grown every year since 9/11. If you Eagle guys want somebody to be ****ed at, blame the flushbAAcks.

Funny how some folks never seem to respond to statements like that.