These indeed seem like dark times; I have to remind myself I used to get on FlyerTalk to scan for deals, rather than to vent. Reading of all the changes has been bad for the blood pressure.

Would have to largely agree with those who say that the true incremental cost for these FF programs is low because airlines manage the seats to try to ensure that as few as possible that would have been sold go to awards. And airlines like CO take that one further by being tight on "standard" awards, effectively devaluing the miles 50%.

It's important to keep voting with feet as much as possible (after all, DL can't blame Sept. 11 for empty seats forever).

JetBlue and AirTran and, of course, Southwest continue to stir the pot and pick off leisure travelers. Maybe they'll become viable options for FF-mile accumulation for many people. I suspect that the main things they lack are options for Hawaii and Europe and places like that, but maybe, with partnerships, they could offer something there.

I hope the big airlines can pull through this without too much damage. Some of it is the economy, some of it terrorism fear, and some of it changes to the underlying business model.