Please note the serious financial difficulties that TAM is having. In fact, I think you'll find that those carriers that are not suffering serious financial problems are probably charging much more for a ticket on a per mile basis then the U.S. carriers. I doubt that you could take a 5 hour flight for 198.00 round trip, the exception being trans atlantic flights where they are competing with U.S. carriers. Anyone ever priced a ticket between, say, Tokyo and Taipei? not really very cheap.

I agree with everyone here that the cuts in service are deplorable. It's a shame to see what flying has come to when compared to just 15-20 years ago. However, people asked for lower air fares and those come at a price. While the business traveler may be paying lot's of $$$ for their ticket, they are merely subsidizing those very cheap seats the once a year traveler uses and the free frequent flyer seats.