Here's another little trip down memory lane, this time from the bankrupty Judge's decision in Comair vs. ALPA:

Comair’s expert witness Daniel Kasper provided a comprehensive analysis of the competition and prices in the legacy and regional airline industries since 9/11. The following excerpts from the summary conclusions in his direct testimony are of particular importance here:
...
• . . . Given its own severe financial problems, Delta cannot afford to pay above-market rates to any of its major suppliers, including those providing regional air services. Unless Comair is able to provide regional capacity to Delta at more competitive, market-based rates, Delta will find it necessary to shift regional flying away from Comair and could be forced to terminate its longstanding relationship with Comair.
• . . . In a nutshell, Comair has no realistic alternative but to reduce its costs if it hopes to survive.
• In sum, without significant cost reductions–including substantial labor cost savings from its pilots–Comair is unlikely to survive the dramatic changes transforming the airline industry. But if Comair can achieve its targeted cost savings, the Company should be able to retain–and possibly expand–its contract flying for Delta and potentially other airlines, as well.

PS - the judge threw out our contract so Comair can survive, and even thrive. Boy did he get played...

Here's a link to the judge's decision:

http://www.nysb.uscourts.gov/opinion...64_opinion.pdf