UAL just announced (Yahoo Aviation News) that it is returning to full schedule flying.
As to airlines' request for government bailouts: Obviously it doesn't cost anything to ask for money. Whether they'll get tax payer help is another story. I don't suppose that taxpayers would approve of giving carriers cash; maybe some tax relief at most.
Even before Sept 11th, most carriers suffered from overcapacity and bloated management salaries and bonuses, especially by the top dogs at USAir.