I think what you discribe is interesting. I have heard about a similar suggestion but can't remember exactly what it was right now. It did have to do with not just giving cash to the airlines but diverting some services to them that would help fill the planes and provide revenue. The airlines get the business that they need and the taxpayer gets value for their dollars. However, when you are talking about as much as $15 billion that is a lot of tickets, mail or cargo. Also, remember that a lot of proposed assistance is low interest loans and loan guarantees to provide cash that can be used for retrofitting aircraft and providing more security. Much of this money is supposedly going to be repaid with interest or not actually spent in the first place assuming the airlines don't fall behind on their debts. As an example, replacing cockpit doors and bulkheads is going to be expensive when you multiply by the thousands of planes that an airline like United or American have.

Also, buying tickets for govt. employees gives the public a view that flying is still safe and that there is confidence in the security of the airlines. I heard it mentioned, in fact, yesterday that Bill Clinton announced that he will be flying a certain number of commercial flights in the near future. I have never held much stock in him but this is a very good thing that he would be doing. I could make a joke but will refrain out of respect for this gesture and the seriousness of this issue. The point is that his efforts to instill some confidence in the system is admirable. It is especially important as we may be seeing a surge in executive jet transportation as corporations start to lease corporate jets for their employees rather than booking them commercially. If we see too much of this it will help to strengthen the lack of public confidence in comercial air transportation.