without sarcasm, here is the typical response to the fuel surcharge question:

the bottom line is that several months ago virtually all airlines lost their a$$ hedging fuel the wrong way... therefore, they need to keep the fuel surchage to make up for it... that is the typical "company line"...

so then, now the prices are cheap and have been for a few months, if there is a sudden spike in fuel prices we *should* expect the fuel surchage to disappear for a few months before it starts up again... although we all know that they'll keep it and state that amazingly, they got to "break even" and now the fuel costs more and they need to maintain the surcharge...

this is just going to be one of those things that stays around forever, like the "bathroom nightlight tax" at hotels or the "concession recovery fee" for rental cars...