If America's version of "capitalism" continues unabated, we won't need to have this discussion in the future because the middle class (those who actually fly on our airlines) won't exist anymore, and neither will these companies and all of their executives. We either need to have a completely free market or a heavily regulated one with a level playing field. This in-between garbage is going to bury us all.

What am I talking about?

-Selective government bailouts propping up poorly (and sometimes criminally) run corporations

-The RLA which severely limits the rights of labor in the transportation industry.

-Lobbyists for special interests influencing legislation that is heavily tilted on the side of big money.

I agree that we are not entitled to anything and we must negotiate for everything. Unfortunately, the system is rigged in favor of business and severely limits the methods and leverage available to negotiate such gains.

And the worst perpetrators? Ourselves. We could all quit tomorrow and there would be young starry-eyed pilots chomping at the bit to take our places. This leaves little incentive to negotiate. However, all of this posturing is getting Wall Street's attention, which may be their only motivation other than a complete work stoppage.