<quote>The real problem thought is that as UAL looses HVFers and Elites, if there is a sudden shock to demand (Ebola is not it, but something like SARs was) or a major spike in Oil, then they can find themselves with a sudden sharp drop in demand and the steady demand from elites will not be a strong. Certainly its Elites allowed UAL to say afloat for years.</quote>

This +1000000000

I have itineraries from the depths of the 2008-2009 financial crisis when I was flying LHR-EWR-XXX r/t for "TODS" (well, 350GBP = $500), with a Y-row to myself on the 777.

DEQM in fall 2009 IIRC?

Right now, with oil down, the economy up I can't see that UAL has any incentive to treat its customers well. Especially when it can only hurt quarterly results.

Now, when the bad times come again (and they will)....