[Butch Cassidy Slept Here]

With regard to the point made by the OP:

The comments, in this thread, from those carrying the label "Airline Sympathizer," et al, significantly supports the status quo and the position of the airlines and the Air Transport Assn. True, there may be some isolated "token" pro-consumer comments. But the basic sentiment comes-across loud and clear.

Contrary to what AADFW has stated I think a government-operated airline (ala "Amtrak Air) is needed in the current environment. If service was limited to secondary airports, and no attempt is made to compete as to fares, along with other regulations, the airlines might, for the first time, feel some real pressure to clean-up their act. The proposal to have a government-operated health insurer, operating along-side private insurers, (for national health insurance) is based on the same reasoning.