Fact of the matter is this.....these regionals are scrambling to consolidate because they realize the gravy train FFD contracts they've been living on are coming to an end. Why do you think BB @ RAH bought up YX & F9? Because he knows that RAH will have to create their OWN income. The 50 seaters are being parked at a rapid rate, & while there will always be a place for them, they will not be replaced as they time out. Even Bombardier and Embraer realize this. They quit building them. Skywest is buying XJT because it knows it needs a bigger piece of the UAL pie, the same reason they bought ASA from DAL. These regional CEOs are realizing the consolidation will be necessary for their survival, because the Legacy's will stop offering no risk contracts, & now require the Regional to take greater risks and endure losses. They know that they won't be able to undercut each other, as it will turn into a horrible blood bath. They game is changing rapidly, & many are scrambling to be the survivors of the regional group. More consolidation in the regional ranks will occur, and as Scope is maintained/tightened by the Majors the Regionals will be forced to go back to turboprops and finance their own airplanes. Legacy's don't want these airplanes on their balance sheet anymore.