[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

The airlines paid millions to protect their monopoly and power to abuse their passengers with impunity? I am shocked.

All too often US-based airlines seem to forget their certificate of operation is a public trust authorizing the use of what, legally, are public highways--the nation's airways. Should we be shocked that airlines abuse said trust? Probably not. Taking things one step further: Should the airlines abuse the public trust, and engage in activity which is contrary to prudent airline management (the half million to million dollars political donations). In this context, I would submit that engaging in anti-customer activity is an abuse of the public trust.

Much like broadcast licenses, certificates of operation should come-up for periodic review and include a process which invites potential replacement operators. Such a procedure would be consistent with the concept of a public trust.

As to "activity which is contrary to prudent airline management:" I cite the case of former Continental/Eastern Airlines chief Frank Lorenzo. The man's anti-labor, anti-customer "performance" sufficiently "impressed" Federal regulators that he was permanently barred from the airline business. Current airline executives may wish to take note!