>I really wonder what would happen if we didn't save the airlines.

I don't think the argument is about whether we should bail the airlines out; it's about how we should bail them out.

Handing them $60B and saying, "Go about your business!" is not going to fly (pun). If the taxpayers are going to provide the capital, they should get equity. It's that easy.

Would the government be able to run an airline? I don't know. Could they be any worse than current management?