I suppose it's possible that the airlines want to present the bleakest possible face to Congress while they're asking for multi-billion dollar handouts. Having occupancy rates at the lowest possible levels wouldn't hurt their requests.

I wonder if that's why we're hearing warnings that we must arrive three or four hours early at the airport, when actual experiences seem to indicate that in general an extra half hour seems to cover the additional delays.

I hate to ascribe such Machivellian motivation to the airlines, but otherwise you'd think they'd WANT to sell some of those empty seats.