I wonder where the end of this ultimately goes. If the airline is focused on profitability and high value customers, I would imagine a reduction in Regional carriers is on the horizon. We are already seeing their routes and seats cut back, and the new agreement (relatively) that allowed the 717s to start being flown could serve as a blueprint.

Not saying the regionals will completely go away, but there are many routes that are offered on mainline that I take that five years ago were not.