Actually, the point is these people DON'T know how to run an airline, so they are nickel and diming wherever possible.
They are facing costs that other airlines are NOT facing because they never finished the merger.
They are facing a more hostile work group than those at other airlines because they never finished the merger.
There were plenty of ways they could have cut down on costs without having to resort to these tactics, but they chose the easy way out--stepping over dollars to pick up pennies.
NO other major airline has matched the charge for drinks OR the devaluations of the mileage program. People ARE pissed, and they ARE booking away. Time will tell how much if any effect it has, but based on what I have heard there ARE people in Tempe who are concerned.
I am NOT preaching doom and gloom, I am just saying that IF US recovers, it will have a more difficult time than others because it faces a backlash from BOTH customers and employees.
The current management team has to go. PERIOD. They have no credibility with their customers OR their employees, and that is crucial to success.