Here’s the latest on the U.S. Airways employee “sickout” that ruined a lot of travelers’ Christmas spirit. The company and unions deny that an organized protest took place. Whatever you call it, it resulted in the cancellation of 65 flights on Thursday, 176 on Friday and 143 Saturday.

Blogger LaShawn Barber has a firsthand account.

New York Times predicts more woes:

With the six big airlines expected to lose another $5.5 billion this year, every one of them – American, United, Delta, Continental, Northwest and US Airways – has announced plans for deeper cuts in 2005. All told, they will reach $7.5 billion in spending and at least 20,000 jobs.

It’s time for the behemoths of the airline industry to take their lumps. NO MORE MASSIVE TAXPAYER BAILOUTS.

Goodbye, U.S. scAirways. Hello, JetBlue.