I think that really is something that can only be decided with actual numbers, which of course none of us will ever see. If anything I said was true (and I could be very, very far off base), than I am sure Delta bean counters have determined how much money Delta would lose to Southwest and Airtran if RAH was not in the picture, and how much money they would lose to Southwest and Airtran if RAH was in the picture operating as Midwest. If the amount of money "not lost" to SW and Airtran is greater than the amount paid to RAH, Delta wins.

Don't worry, someone has it all figured out down to the penny...and thereby deserved a six or seven figure bonus for saving said penny.