Bocastephen:

Sorry, but I have to disagree with your suggestions. As a person who pays for the full A or D fare, I don't think that CO should eliminate any benefits for FC passengers. I especially don't think that CO should cut FC beneifts just so that discount fares can upgrade. NO WAY. If there are empty seats in FC, I don't care who sits there, but don't shortchange paying customers.

Instead I think CO should flatten their fare structure. Lower the A and D fare and raise the lowest fares. I think you would see more people paying to fly in FC, and that even the cheapest seats would be profitable, both of which would be good for CO.

There is no way that CO can compete on the basis of price with the discount carriers. CO needs to differentiate their service and compete on the basis of quality and speed(efficient hubs).