There are loopholes to that idea too. It would have to be very carefully worded!

Perfect. Should also be expanded to include maintenance and training. Brand X airplanes serviced by Brand X mechanics, pilots trained at Brand X training.

Dosbo, great post, I agree.
On a 2nd note, competition is a healthy thing and shouldn't be hindered. The government's role should only be that to insure that the playing field is even, nothing more. Like I've said in previous posts, new entrants may not be able to offer the highest pay for position, but other benefits do come with it.

Hmmmm, AirTran in Atlantic City.........

Agree with acl here.

There have been lots of ideas on how to improve the airline industry. i.e. We pay the second highest tax burden behind tobacco and alcohol but our infrastructure is decrepit.

Our industry has become a cash cow for government and banks. We are allowed to exist but not to thrive.

Sounds like the Legacies are TOO BIG TO FAIL.

Anyone see in USA Today, 11/10/09 article, "Reshuffled deck leaves low-cost carriers king"? The man jist is traditionals are losing ground to low-cost airlines.

ALPA National in 1983 publicly considered an SOS over the problems associated with the newly deregulated airline industry. Airlines were losing money, paycuts were frequent, etc. It's amazing to compare that with the statements of the ALPA National of today. There hasn't been a giveback or a sell out ALPA hasn't endorsed.

Your'e right competition is a good thing but customers should know what they are buying and what the true quality of that product is before stepping on an aircraft.

Currently airlilnes run like a shell game outsourcing whatever they can, changing rules for customers frequently, while doing it under the apperance of one big happy airline. Domestic flying is outsourced to the lowest bidder, maintenance is outsourced overseas with little Fed oversight, and with internet ticket purchasing talking with a reservation agent (again outsourced) costs more money.

Mainline domestic workforces have been severely slashed over the last decade yet route structures remain relatively the same size. At what point does the outsourcing (domestic and overseas) end.

Perhaps when only the corporate headquarters remains will someone realize there is nothing left to outsource and no company left to run, only vendors to manage. What will the executives do when they need to outsource themselves to cut costs further just to remain competitive?

If I put my family on a plane I certainly don't want it operated by the lowest common denominator.

This industry really does suck. Here's an idea to ease congestion and delays in the NY area.

Limit the number of seats per plane to a minimum of 100 going into LGA, JFK and EWR and the NE corridor will see delays significantly improve.

Another example was when Virgin America started out. I can remember sitting in line for 2 hours at JFK and Redwood taxis by. By allowing new entrants into the busiest airports at the busiest time of the day is just adding fuel to the fire for ATC delays.

It's a start. This could be a good idea for many different reasons. Honestly, how long would any regional last (ASA, Comair, Mesaba, anyone) with doing their own branded flying? Not even a month. If mainline airlines wanted to keep the regional airlines flying for them, they would be forced to bring them up to their certificate.