Diamond Dog, I am usually as frustrated as you are about these kinds of things, but it is a function of "the industry" not just CO.

As others have pointed out, you *DO* have options. You can fly this route on HP for ~$312 r/t and get OP credit, as well as status miles. You have a slim chance for an upgrade, but you can use miles if you want to.

On the East Coast, typically the only low fares for business routes w/o Sat stays are on two-bit second-tier airlines like TZ, FL, etc. Or the occasional DL/AA sale, but I won't get CO miles/status for those trips.

I hate to say this, but in this case I envy you, I would love to opportunity to have HP in my backyard just for instances like this.