I think you're a tad paranoid there, Ken. The airlines benefit from the increased revenue generated from "specials" hysteria, etc. Plus, look at all the milleage runners who similarly tweek the system to get perks, but still put $$ in the airlines' coffers. Let's face it, if they get $5 for a seat which would otherwise go empty, they're ahead: its not like they are going to hold the plane until they get a full load...