The devil is in the details. The acquisition cost is chump change. The real savings to DAL are in modification of the air services agreements and leases of which we don't have details.

Also if they bust the 3 hr rule, who pays the penalty if they are not a WO, but a DCI contracted carrier?

Summary of PINNACLE AIRLINES CORP - Yahoo! Finance

The Amended CRJ-200 Airline Services Agreement.

In connection with the Company's acquisition of Mesaba and its CRJ-200 aircraft fleet, on July 1, 2010, the Company, PAI and Mesaba entered into a Second Amended and Restated Airline Services Agreement (the "CRJ-200 ASA") with Delta, which restates substantially all of the terms of the Prior ASA other than with respect to amendments that (1) increase the number of regional jets operated by the Company for Delta under the agreement, (2) modify the rates under which PAI and Mesaba shall perform the services for Delta, and (3) provide for future rate adjustments based on changes in the Company's actual operating costs. The CRJ-200 ASA shall continue in effect until December 31, 2017.

The Amended CRJ-900 Delta Connection Agreement.

The Company, PAI and Delta entered into an Amendment to Delta Connection Agreement (the "CRJ-900 Amendment"). Aside from changes related to measuring operating performance, substantially all terms of the previous DCA remain in effect.

The CRJ-900-M Delta Connection Agreement.

In connection with the Company's acquisition of Mesaba and its CRJ-900 aircraft fleet, on July 1, 2010, the Company, PAI and Mesaba entered into a 2010 Delta Connection Agreement (the "CRJ-900-M DCA") with Delta, pursuant to which Mesaba provides regional jet service to Delta by operating forty-one 76-seat CRJ-900 aircraft. The CRJ-900-M DCA provides for Delta to pay pre-set rates based upon the capacity that Mesaba provides to Delta. Mesaba is responsible for the costs of flight crews, maintenance, dispatch, aircraft ownership and general and administrative costs. In addition, Delta reimburses Mesaba for certain pass-through costs, including landing fees, most station-related costs (to the extent that Mesaba incurs them) and aircraft hull and general liability insurance. In most cases, Delta will provide fuel and ground handling services free of charge. Mesaba will earn incentive payments (calculated as a percentage of the payments received from Delta) if the Company's aggregate operations for . . .