I understand the situation but not the execution. It seems they are being reactive and not proactive. Is a better strategy to pull poor performing routes and increase frequencies to higher yielding routes? Or add new destinations? I don't know the answer and I am unsure the new agreement is the best strategy to create revenue for either Skywest or AirTran for reasons you have stated:
I still don't know that they'll last, though. This is a new arrangement, since SkyWest is operating them on a somewhat standalone basis, they might have to bail if not enough money is being made. It will likely be SkyWest's call whether to bail on any of these routes...FL will play a smaller role than in a typical regional airline relationship.