The whole industry is headed towards a more usairways and united type operation. The cheapest bidder will win, the dirtiest airplane flies, and you pay extra for everything. It is a race to the bottom. I think if Continental and United merge you will get United service and "quality" with Continental gate agent surliness and "charm."

Keep reading the inflight magazines about how they are so proud of their product and services. I really dont know what they are so proud of. Continental has X number of hard working employees.... What they dont mention is that they are rapidly trying to outsource as many of those hard working employees as they can while deteriorating their product to a point that it is as crappy as everyone elses.

Call me jaded but all airline management wants is their bonus... there is no pride or long term goals associated with their careers.