I think a combination of factors make it vanishingly unlikely that passengers will ever fly like they did a few years ago. By that I mean as many and at as high a fare as they once did. A combination of discount carriers and discount "leasure fares" by the majors has had a permanent change in the fare expectations of too many passengers and their employers. In addition, at least in my business, we are more and more depending on voice and video conferencing and the quality of those is getting much better. So instead of a last minute Y fare we conference. Other meetings are planned in advance and travel is on lower fares. That being said, I think there will be an upturn in passengers as the general business climate improves. I was surprised that the cost difference between Southwest and US was so low actually. I think there is a lot of misunderstanding about how customers think about fares by airline management, not just at US. In addition, I think the majors are making a mistake trying to compete with Southwest in fares. They need to compete in value, and I am optimistic that they can do it. Granted there are a lot of different customers but I think I am fairly representative. I would gladly pay more not to fly Southwest, the question is how much more. Take a typical trip I do, New York to St. Louis. The last time I checked it was $1800 or so in Y. There is no way the company I visit will pay that. I would fly Southwest or conference. But if I buy in advance on USAir, it is about $235, but with a lot of restrictions. The problem as I see it is that there arent a lot of fares in between those two. I think the $235 is less than Southwest. You guys shouldnt be charging me less than Southwest, you have a better product. That trip in my opinion should price at something like $600 first class, $350-$450 unrestricted coach and $250-$300 advance with lots of restrictions. Maybe these have to be changed by $50 to $100 but you get the idea. Perhaps add an advance, no restriction fare somewhere in between. I would gladly chose US over Southwest if if cost 50% more or thereabouts, but not if it cost 6 times as much. Given the cost numbers cited in other posts on this thread, US Air would make a profit if others would chose like me, and I think they would. Look at other sections of the travel industry, they are segmented by cost. I just got back from Tokyo, I stayed in a Club level room in an Intercontinental Hotel. I didnt expect to get Motel 6 service or pay Motel 6 prices. But I dont think it was 6 or 8 times what a cheap hotel would be, maybe 2 or 3 times. It really is about value, not strictly cost.
Just my 2 cents (well, maybe a dimes) worth. In any case, my Cockroach pin and I are with you while you fly. Like I said, I fly USAir because I like it, I like the people on the front Line. Best of luck to all.