Atlantic Coast has turned the other cheek so to speak and officially rejected the bid from Mesa. Humorous that Atlantic Coast minimizes the offer by calling it: “Mesa’s expression of interest”. The gloves may yet come off as said takeover attempt now becomes hostile. ACA will bash the Mesa (flawed) business plan while dragging Mesa business partners (United and USairways) through the mud by association. Big Guns, Morgan Stanley & Co. acting as financial advisor and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP acting as legal counsel have been hired to watch the ACA flank.