BHDflyer, BACON didn't fail to make any money due to the cost of operating the 145 / D8 and low loads. Having worked at the coal face for the last three years at BHX loads are very good and the aircraft (other than the RJ) cost very little to operate. The reason BACON didn't work was rubbish management ! The training bill alone for the last three years with all the fleet changes and relocation would have wiped out the profits of most UK airlines. Couple that with not ever advertising your services properly and setting up a mini waterside at Didsbury with a manager for everything including unblocking the RJ sinks the result was inevitable !
Oh yes and no one can find out how much money BA syphoned off using BAR ground handling which surprisingly (not) makes a massive profit even though they only handle BACON, SN and Eastern.
The 145 isn't the right aircraft for LC BA knew that but would not let BACON re-equip. Given that the sell off has allowed BA to close just about every outstation in the UK and virtually withdraw unseen from the regions a good plan well accomplished me thinks. Having DE in charge guaranteed failure! With FlyBe cost base 145 can make effective money until it is replaced by something more appropriate.