Smisek and Tilton are currently doing a conference call. Ted Reed at thestreet.com (a good aviation reporter, btw) asked an obvious question. "Why do you need CLE?"

Smisek gave a diplomatic response, but no assurances that CLE would remain. He said the "CLE would always be important to the new company," and that they'd always have good air service -- he did not say it would always be a hub.

I guess CO/UA isn't opposed to taking some of Ohio's money but, left to the free market, CLE will be gone.