Originally Posted by
GrokGrok
The problem with this theory is that there is often a monopoly or duopoly on flights at many airports; for ORD-SDF, you're either going to fly American or United. If American is full, what real flying choice do you have? Moreover, it's not like a box pops up before you finalize the itinerary that says, "In the interests of transparency, please note that we price the last segment at $36, which means that if we IDB you on that leg, by law we'll owe you at most $144, no matter how much later the flight we put you on. If you disagree with us bumping you once you're seated, you'll get dragged off (gently, we hope)."
In the absence of real consumer power vis-a-vis airlines, regulations must set sensible standards.
1) MDW-SDF on Southwest
2) ORD-CLT-SDF on AA
3) ORD-ATL-SDF on Delta
4) ORD-MSP-SDF on Delta
5) ORD-DTW-SDF on Delta
6) If you originated anywhere else (like LAX for example), then the number of non-UA itineraries is exponentially more than just a flight from Chicago
7) if your destination is not really Louisville, KY, but some small town up to 100 miles away, then more options exist such as CVG or LEX or IND or EVV
8) car
9) bus
10) not bother with the trip at all
We don't need the government to try to help us, with the exception of stopping mergers of large airlines. This isn't Ma Bell where you need to break up a monopoly.