CS-pro, you raise many good points.
1. People are limiting their holiday travel due to the economy. When they do decide to travel by air, they know the signs of desperation when they see them. Ma and Pa Kettle want to be sure that the airline will still be around in two months. If the company leaked information as to how much cash was on hand and the burn rate, it might allay some fears.
2. The revamping of flight schedules reduces transcons and keeps smaller markets. The company appears to hunkering down. But in doing so, this accentuates the number of flights under 250 miles. Current market research indicates that people are avoiding these short flights for cost/time reasons.
3. As US has pulled out of many non-hub,non-stop markets other carriers including the Big 6 have stepped in. The virtual abandonment of Florida has redirected passengers to other airlines for their non-Florida travel too.
4. FF's are still upset at comments made by a certain VP in August. How about an apology or a RIF of the person that your best customers hold personally responsible for corporate ineptitude? We've all had our US status comped by the competition.
5. 56 days. If you make a charge to a credit card and you do not receive the item or service (i.e. Chapter 7), you can dispute the charge in writing within that time thereby reducing your financial risk. (Thank you Clark Howard)
Me? Seven tix for the next 10 weeks. US Airways still has the best employees.