The CRJ's all have us scratching our heads. But what is known is that additional 145's were not available in the desert, from Embraer, or otherwise. CHQ needed an aircraft to fulfill the CAL contract. Also, the CRJ lease rates are $40,000 a month less that the 145, which helps absorb some of the new costs incurred with a new fleet type. But the best answer is that the CRJ fleet is not expected to stop at 24 aircraft. RAH likes Embraer, but the majors like the CRJ because of the lower cost, passenger amenities be damned. Not slamming the CRJ here, so put out that flame... With rumors of ComAir losing CRJs to another company (CHQ did not bid on CRJ-200 flying in the Delta RFP), NWA looking for CRJ providers, and a sizeable demand for -700's and -900's out there now, I would assume that the CRJ type addition is a preemptive move. To date, Bryan Bedford has been good at predicting market trends and growing the company in advance to accomodate.