Inspired by all the dire oil price realted threads, I have been thinking about all the ways in which the airlines have been able to save money short and long term over the last 6-7 years (since 9/11), many of which should mitigate the rising cost of fuel. I do NOT mean to make this a swipe only at Delta, but thought I needed to start somewhere:

1) Elimination of commissions to travel agents WORLDWIDE (while this may have started in the US and UK pre-9/11, since then it has stretched around the world).
2) The movement to online ticket sales.
3) Elimination of paper tickets.
4) Charges for paper tickets.
5) Reduction of CTO's
6) Charge for using CTO's that still exist.
7) Telephone service charge on ticket sales.
8) Several rounds of lay-offs of workers (big reduction in headcount).
9) Several rounds of pay cuts for all workers.
10) Elimination of meals from most flights.
11) Severe cheapening of few remaining meals.
12) Elimination of pillows and blankets through most of the fleet.
13) Elimination of most magazines and reading material.
14) A general reduction of at least one cabin crew member per flight, if not 2.
15) Movement towards many more check-in machines.
16) A/C hooked up to terminal more for energy.
17) One engine taxiing.
18) More tugs pulling planes.
19) Three rounds of eliminating the most fuel inefficient a/c from fleet.
20) Two rounds of CRC closings.
21) The elimination of BE lounges.
22) The elimination of free CRC for PM's.
23) Elimination of most free booze on int'l flights.
24) The addition of seats to most l/h aircraft.
25) The addition to fuel surcharges for certain travellers.
26) Several rounds of eliminating unprofitable routes.
27) Several rounds of right sizing routes.
28) Several round of reducing lease payments before CH 11
29) CH.11 slashing all the debt on the balance sheet, plus renegotiating all sorts of costs going forward, a/c, catering, gate leases, rents, etc.

Anyone have anything to add?