Doug and Scooter claim they can't pay what Delta and United pay. Fair enough. Then pay what Southwest pays.
Their is no problem with "the stand alone model," whatever that nebulous entity may really be. What they need to do is come up with a stand alone model that works. They can't be legacy today, low cost carrier tomorrow, and point-to-point the next day.
USAirways has no real identity, and Doug and Scooter seem to be unable, or at least disinclined, to develop one. Why? Because it would mean developing a plan to be profitable without nickel-and-dime fees and beating up on the employees.
If that's not possible, then USAirways will soon be summarily relegated to the scrap heap of history.
We are in desperate need of some real, effective leadership at USAirways in the near term. The employees are ready and willing to "push back," and the customers are growing savvy and weary of the fees.