Like has been mentioned by acl65 and others in the other thread, the issue isn't an extra 3000 lbs like some others have argued. The issue is letting even more scope go. So after they give away 3000 lbs, Delta asks for another 3000 lbs, well, what's another 3000 lbs? So after they give that away, etc etc etc. You have to draw the line somewhere, in both seats and in weight, because they don't ask for it in big chunks, they ask for it in steps. Delta knows that 3000 lbs isn't a big deal, or an extra 6 seats isn't a big deal, but it makes that request a year from now for another 3000 lbs/6 seats seem a lot more reasonable, and will make it much more likely that the Delta reps will cave.

Also, the regional people need to realize that airplanes at mainline are actually much better for their own progression within their respective regionals. If you have 2000 pilots at your airline, and you're the most junior on property, then in order to upgrade, you'd either need to add 2000 pilots at your airline or make 1000 people leave to the majors. That's half as much movement and extra frames as is required to outright expand your way into an upgrade. And that's not even bringing into consideration that those are 1000 extra mainline jobs, as opposed to regional jobs. It seems win-win to me.