This problem is perfectly illustrated by the fact that European fuel prices are nearly double what they are here and companies like Lufthansa are still posting profits. The problem with the airlines in the US is not the airlines themselves. The problem is the disappearance of the middle class here in the US. Because we've had politicians over the last 15 years who haven't minded selling out The American Dream to corporate interests time and time again. That "sucking sound" that Ross Perot told us about back in 1992 has occured. All the Manufacturing jobs are now in Mexico, India and China. Now, the airlines are left trying to sell tickets to an increasingly impoverished public. A public that has gotten so used to including Greyhound on their price comparison list when shopping plane tickets that they cringe when companies like AMR asks an additional, "whopping" $15 to check a bag. "OMG, look out Margret, we have to give up flying since it now costs more than a bus ticket to get to Des Moines!" VVTF!!!!

Well put. Corporatization at mega proportions and poorly run corporations, namely airlines. Meanwhile, the policies set forth are only expounding this problem.