The larger companies with the stronger balance sheets are in the position to lay out solid capital and generate consistent returns.

Given his extensive background in network planning and strategy formulation, he probably would be a good choice for a carrier like Virgin looking to launch U.S. operations.

Obviously, there's a requirement that United will have to sustain strong operating performance for an extended period to service those obligations.

It'll be a case of city by city, if that does in fact play out, if US Airways goes down,

Until September 11, they really were focusing on keeping their balance sheet rather clean and keeping their leverage modest relative to the other big carriers. Unfortunately, that all changed after 2001.

Those two could make sense, ... The problem is, who has the balance sheet and the financing to pull that off.