Any thread this old will have outdated information. Consider it history - a context that should be considered in present discussions.

Crystal ball look at 2009 ???????

Not intended as flame bait.
Admitted prejudice in favor of Mesaba
Nothing personal against any airline intended.
No inside information. Everything is "my" opinion.
Written from a management (not pilot or union) perspective.
Ignores some “long range” agreements on aircraft assignments.
Attempt to use numerous sources of information and do an analysis.
Numbers are approximate.
Encourage discussion and different points of view.
In many of these projections (especially Comair) , I HOPE I AM WRONG !!

Mesaba CRJ200s back to Pinnacle
Pinnacle CRJ900s (purchased by Delta from Pinnacle) to Mesaba (Could change if labor dispute is settled)
Comair Gradually Dissolved
CRJ900s to Mesaba
CRJ700s to ASA
CRJ200s sold or put in storage

EVENTUAL FLEETS (Future CRJ900s purchased split between Mesaba and ASA - possibly Pinnacle)
Mesaba 61+ CRJ900s, 49 SF340 (140+ aircraft)
Pinnacle 141- CRJ200s (gradual storage ) (141- aircraft)
ASA 10+ CRJ900s, 54 CRJ700s, 90- CRJ200s (gradual storage) (154 - aircraft)

Compass Sold: I believe a significant Delta furlough down to Compass is unmanageable. Compass has about 332 pilots; Delta has about 12,000. If they were to furlough 10% it would displace the majority of Compass pilots (sunk training costs) and still have another 800 Delta pilots looking for employment. The training workload and associated costs would be unacceptable - especially if there were a recall with improving economy and / or purchase of new aircraft. Compass is a good “cash cow” if Delta has need of $$$$ to purchase new aircraft. Compass routes could easily be picked up by Mesaba, Pinnacle and ASA.

I recommend nobody change his or her career plans based on this post. It is a "modeling" exercise" that may or may not resemble what goes on in discussions at the "inner circles" of higher management.