I agree with you that lowering prices at the last minute would only encourage others to wait until the last minute to book. The problem in this instance, though, is that the flight isn't anywhere near full and AA is RAISING prices. If they couldn't sell the plane out with lower prices, what makes them think they can do it at the last minute with significantly higher prices? I'm not advocating lowering the original fares, I'm advocating them keeping them low until they sell more seats and then raising them when the remaining space can be sold at a premium.