My wife works for US Air. There is a lot more to it than meets the eye with the press.

When US Air 'merged' with America West, it was really America West buying out US Air and taking the name, even though US Air was a much larger airline, they were in horrid financial shape. America West basically saved the company from bankruptcy (liquidation).

Well, there is a group of East (former US Air) pilots that have resented the new management team and want to cost the company as much money as possible. They seem to want to 'show the management who's in charge', and it is some of these that are behind the lawsuit filed.

Figure a 737 can carry 5,300 gallons of jet fuel. That is roughly 18 tons. More fuel carried requires more fuel to burn to reach the same destination. I am not keen on the airlines becoming rich, but why [censored] money down the drain?