Another issue in this equation is that, although the total number of aircraft in the combined ALG/PDT fleet will be 82, a number of those (not quite sure how many, or when) are approaching 40,000 flight hours, at which point a major airframe inspection is mandated. Everyone I have spoken to in maintenence management has stated that the inspection costs are more than the realistic market value of the aircraft, and that they would most likely be struck from the inventory at that point (followed by, I would assume, subsequent "personnel reductions"). This does not include aircraft that will simply be returned at the expiration of their current leases, depending on how US Airways allocates the available flying among the Express carriers.
This of course brings up the issue that, if there are no replacement aircraft in the pipeline, then what real future is being offered to the employees of the "new Piedmont"? All of this shuffling of personnel (and consequent disruption of lives) and combining of assets, just so that the shrinkage can continue until....what? Liquidation at some future date, or the much-speculated purchase of a smaller PDT by Mesa two years from now, just so everyone can move again? And all of this while laboring under the shadow of US Airways' continued troubles, which could take any number of paths over the next couple of years, requiring further drastic measures.
Hate to say it, but not too many warm, fuzzy feelings here. Good luck, everyone.