This is not entirely true...mainline could regain their scope on 50-seaters at the bargaining table if they were willing to fly them for regional rates, and make minor concessions to sweeten the deal. Once all the flying is back under one list, they could start improving pay. It would be a long process but workable.

What makes it possible is the inherent short-sightedness of modern managers...they will take a small gain today without regard to the future long-term consequences. They will let whoever is CEO in 2020 worry about that.