That is part of the reason I believe that the whole turn-tale and run back to UAL was blown WAY out of proportion. Per the UAL pilot's contract no express carrier can fly planes with more than 50 seats (correct me if I am wrong). Air Wisconsin has some planes that were grandfathered in, but there is no way those airbus will ever be part of an ACA / UEX fleet, because of that and other reasons. More than likely in the DH bid to UAL there is a provision for similtaneous operations of DH and UEX flying at the same time. And considering the competition in IAD right now, I think that would go over like a turd in a punch bowl with UAL.

Of course, seeing how UA is trying to rip up their union contracts, I wouldn't put it past them to try to by-pass something like that. "Mama UA" is pretty dysfunctional.