While I agree with you that this is an idiotic way to run a railroad, every day I am more and more afraid that this is exactly what Parker is doing. For a while I was holding out hope that this was part of some grand scheme of his to save the airline. Now I'm just afraid he doesn't have a clue what to do to save the place and he is just muddling along hoping someone else dies first. I think it is more than a "tad" nieve. I think it's downright crazy. But, actions certainly do speak louder than words... (Or in his case, a total lack of actions...)

I was just saying that I don't think Parker will cruise into BK just to settle the pilot contract. There are too many negative ramifications... Looking at the numbers, US could just wallow along for the next 2 years frittering away money. Or Parker could make a killing if he can figure out how to sell off the parts. But, the problem with that is who has the money to buy the parts these days? Mesa doesn't have the money. AirTran has expressed "interest" in a West Coast operation, but do they have any money? Southwest could come in and buy the West operation and dismantle it to have a total lock on PHX (like they did with ATA in Midway), but that does no good for the pilots (just ask the ATA guys).

Either way, US is on the ropes and unless we can figure out how to get along (as hokey as that sounds) AND get some real leadership to turn the place around, it will continue to be a slow drive towards the cliff. (I could be wrong, maybe Doug really is a genius and is secretly saving the airline -- all while plotting to take over the world...)