Basil
This argument is all very interesting, but isn't the real issue the extent of connecting opportunities that would exist for a MAN-LAX service? Given the geographical location of LA I struggle to get much beyond SAN and Hawaii. If you're heading for SFO/LAS/DEN/PHX etc it's better to connect through ORD (or JFK) surely.
You would think so however in the case of AA -West Coast links off of Chicago are pretty dire these days and from JFK well they will get you to LAX on one of our old 762s or now on a 321 on the hour plus SFO and occasional LAS - anywhere else and its Blue or two stop and change in LAX to a commuter.