IINM, SAA was latched firmly to the taxpayer tit before '94 as well. The only difference back then was that the airline was govt owned and controlled via SAR, and no bones were made about it. No idea of the details, but it's possible that they did try to work within their budget back then, unlike the current mob who feel they have a direct line into the pockets of Joe Sixpack whenever they overshoot the mark through unsound business practice and reckless splashing about of money they don't generate.