There is absolutely zero possibility that SWA will "outsource" flying to any regional including Skywest. Their scope clause is the most simple and powerful in the industry. SWA management may want to do it, but their pilots will never agree.

It essentially says, "we don't care what aircraft SWA management wants to fly, however, that flying will only be done by pilots on the SWA seniority list."

After the Airtran deal closes, if it does, SWA management has up to two years to eliminate the outsourced flying.

I know too many SWA pilots who say this particular contract item is absolutely NON-negotiable with SWA management. At least one major airline pilot group gets it.