Just flew into SJC via ORD yesterday. Flight full and flight back next Friday full as well. Now BMI don't do ORD there aren't many options to get to the west coast of the US, other than going south or to Europe and going direct to SFO.
Lots of people going Vegas or San Francisco.
Why doesn't a major carrier go direct to the West coast of US from MAN? I am sure the load factors would be more than enough to warrant 2-3 flights a week.