I am a big fan of UA and *A but I was wondering if there are dangers to it becoming to big. I was prompted to think this way when reflecting upon the prices of flights in Canada and Oz where it seems so much more expensive than the US and beyond belief with EU. In the former Canadian Airlines went bankrupt and was bought out by Air Canada while in the latter Ansett went bankrupt. Fares and services have been -ve affected ever since. I was really annoyed with AC giving only 50% of miles of domestic flights when on an RTW. It looks like the only way for me to fly within Oz is thru award tickets. I am know thinking that the other two alliances should increase in size and always present a threat to *A so that we can get the best from competition. I think EU is suffocated by *A and hope no other airline joins it but the middle east, ind, china and Oz could use some. Thanks