I'm not turning this into a political post but if you think Obama would standby on the sidelines if UAL were to get into trouble you are mistaken. If the government doesn't re-regulate the industry, do you think he would just sit by and let UAL, his hometown airline, and the tens of thousands of jobs disappear or would he let Lufthansa come in with a bail out? It won't matter whose in charge. If things get dire, its either that or let airlines fail. I'm not a proponent of cabotage but I think that's how it will come to pass.