Wow, is this really a huge assumption! So if DL takes away my FF miles, I get to demand a higher salary from my employer! Woo-Hoo, I get a pay raise!!!! Did you ever begin to think that I never get to use my miles? OK, I'm travelling some place every week of the year, so what's the absolute last thing I really want to do? Yep - fly some place for a vacation. All of the folks here whining about somebody earning miles and receiving a government funded kick-back at the taxpayers expense puh-lease get a life and do a bit of studying in basic business economics.

But since you probably won't, here's a few key things to ponder ...

* We live in a consumer society, and business is run by what can be sold and make a profit.

* If it isn't profitable (in more ways than simply singling out a specific item for positive/negative cash flow - you have to address the whole cycle), business will not continue to offer this item. See any AMC Pacers today?

* FF miles are not part of my compensation. Period. Never was, never will be (I hope!). I pay a higher price for my seat next to you because I didn't have the luxury of booking it 6 months ago. I fly this kind of fare at least once a month, and your $250 round trip seat is next to my $1800 seat. Go figure how many times you'd have to fly for the airline to make the same $$ from you as they just did from me. Clue: By you not flying, the airline might actually make more!

* Full airplanes do not equal profitable revenue for that flight.

Dinner is calling, and I have a customer report to finish before I fly out tonight ...

GMF