The real $64,000 question here is (a.) how long the spike in oil will last (because it is not sustainable) and (b.) when will the dollar strengthen...and they are both interrelated. That's the bet...not whether or not US can get better.
US has successfully commoditized their product, making it no better, and in many cases, significantly worse then the competition. So, they have precious little leverage.
The major "bet" (aka hope) for this carrier is that this spike subsides and that can happen if the dollar would pick up a little strength. Can they make their price increases stick? I dunno. I just priced out tix from PVD-SFO r/t....US was amongst the most expensive....why fly US in Y when for almost the same price I can fly CO and get the instant upgrade? That of course is beating a dead horse again and again.
Good luck to US! Now that the product has been successfully "business casualed" into the crapper...the company is now at the mercy of things sompletely outside of it's control.
That being said....at $3.00, I'm a buyer....I do not believe this rally in oil is sustainable much longer.