I think the idea of busses might work in some scenarios (if the timing, cost, reliability and cleanliness are right). A few options that come to mind (though, none from EWR because they have trains on the east coast):

-Houston to Austin, San Antonio, College Station and/or Beaumont
-Cleveland to Toledo (recently dropped as air service), Columbus, Pittsburgh, Erie, Franklin PA (CO really flies there?!?) or even Fort Wayne & Dayton as a stretch. (Heck, they could do CLE-TOL-FWA and CLE-CMH-DAY if the costs and timing could be perfected)

Would I take it? If the 4 things in my first line were worked out, I could take a bus. A couple free drink coupons to elites taking the bus would make it even more comfortable