Airline companies heading for bankruptcy. Airline management playing dirty and pulling down huge bucks. Unions dragging their heels. Airline companies whining to the government (taxpayer) for bailout after bailout in a time of deficits.

Yet some airline companies like Southwest have been profitable almost every day since 9/11. Why? What's the difference? They use the same planes, need the same crews and personnel, and burn the same fuel. Where is the huge difference in operating costs? Or the waste in the other companies? Is it just shorter routes? What's the Southwest secret?

I admit I don't understand this at all. Any expert insight out there?