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If offering potentially unlimited compensation would increase profits for airlines, then they would do it regardless of regulation of minimums wouldn't they? I make that assumption because Delta seems to be testing that theory right now. So I still don't see how regulations are impeding anything; doesn't seem to be stopping Delta whatsoever.

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It looks like this will result in a big loss to United, but this is an unusual case. Many people have been involuntarily bumped before. They lose out, but the airline wins. It's basically a form of theft. The purpose of regulation wouldn't be to force the airlines to make more money (since, as you point out, they'll try to do this on their own), but to protect their customers in a situation with a huge imbalance of power.

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