Long-Gonner, While the program might have been intended for the benefit of US passport holders in the 50's, it is just that kind of reasoning that is seeing the US fall into financial ruin. This is not to benefit US passport holders at all, you are fodder, it is to attract foreign people with money to travel to the US, to make sure that it is their number one choice of destination, it is purely about money and business. Americans always want to think its about them, sadly, American citizens are not the big spending target audience here. As for the US carriers being hit, if they seriously want a piece of the pie, start with service!! In order to attract passengers back to the US majors, they would have to compete with the likes of Emirates, BA, Virgin, Ethihad etc. and at this point in time IMHO they are nowhere close, the standard of service on US carries is diabolical!!! Not just down to the F/A's but paying for headsets and drinks, having outdated entertainment facilities etc.