Birdstrike,
I don't think that the industry is that simple. If USAirways, United, & DAL ceased to exist it wouldn't just solve the "overcapacity" problem. The latest round of losses (from all carriers) being blamed on fuel is ludicrous. Every other industry apparently charges its customers what the product costs...but thats another thread.
If 3 large carriers went away there would be, in essence, a vacuum. Not many carriers are in a financial position to take up all the slack either. It wouldn't suprise me if most every major and a few LCCs are in Chapter 11 next year anyway (AA,UAL,US,DAL,CAL,NW,ATA,FLYi). SWA & JetBlue won't be as strong next year either if this years trend continues. You'd see a host of small startups, most of which would fail in a short time and/or merge into a larger airline. If JetBlue tripled in size or Southwest doubled in size, it would cause tremendous problems to be managed. Add on the associated customer service debacles and labor problems and you've got an even worse problem for the average flyer.
I've only been in aviation 14 years...so my view is narrow. But basically the "partial regulation" of deregulation hasn't worked. I think we either need to be regulated or COMPLETLELY deregulated. Let the big mergers happen, let the airlines coordinate fares as they wish. I think the public (and aviation employees) would be better served in the end by a strong air transport system rather than one thats always in the news for financial problems.
What a stupid industy we are in. At least the view (and occasionally the food) is good though!