Why you should fly the big airlines

[labbats]

Why you should fly the big airlines

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The future of American air transportation rides in the cabins of the nation’s big airlines. For more than 70 years, airlines like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines have proudly served the interests of American travelers. Along the way, they have helped businesses earn trillions of dollars, worked with the government to secure our borders, and given travelers a way to explore the wonders of the world.

And what have they gotten in return? Travelers have taken advantage of airlines’ willingness to maintain competitive fares and repaid it with fleeting loyalty and indifference. At the same time, selfish labor unions have drained the big airlines’ coffers and predatory upstart carriers have poached their routes.

In other industries, consumers build mutually beneficial relationships with providers of goods and services. Wal-Mart shoppers won’t shop anywhere else, just as BMW owners won’t let anyone else service their $70,000 vehicles. These consumers are fiercely loyal, no matter their income bracket.

But when it comes to air travel, consumers toss loyalty aside in search of a better deal. I call this the “Southwest Effect” — the naive idea that the best deals will be found on Southwest Airlines, JetBlue, and other low-budget carriers, as well as on third-party Web sites. Not only do these better deals not exist, but this greedy strategy is wreaking havoc with the U.S. air travel industry.

In my opinion, it’s un-American.

Whenever travelers fly a low-cost carrier, they disrespect the contributions that the major carriers have made to the United States of America. Failing to repay the debt of gratitude we owe the major U.S. airlines is unpatriotic.

Why should we reward the major U.S. airlines?

Without the major U.S. airlines, my neighbor would not be able to visit her brother twice a year in Israel; she would not have been able to explore Central and South America, taking time to become fluent in Spanish. Without the major airlines, many Americans would be unable to share Thanksgiving and Christmas with their families.

During the past 10 years, the airline industry has been in turmoil. In that time, we lost several great American companies, including TWA, Pan Am and Eastern. Chock it up to competition — that’s the American way. The remaining big airlines have answered their challenges with innovation and reinvention — that’s also the American way. Responding to market conditions, the airlines have whittled their cost structures and profit margins to the lowest in any industry.

At the same time, the full-service airlines have continued to serve the American public with pride, especially in times of trouble and hardship. When America was terrified by the events of 9/11, the big airlines responded quickly and got passengers on their way. When winter storms pummel the Northeast, the major carriers still take you anywhere in the world. When Americans become displaced by harsh hurricanes, the major U.S. airlines offer their services and ferry those in need to safe ground.

During such difficult times, major airlines also waive their usual change fees, rebooking rules, and refund policies. Unlike other businesses, the big airlines typically forgo opportunistic practices in order to serve their customers’ needs.

Think about it. At a time when gas prices make it more expensive to drive than to fly, airlines have done their best to maintain low fares (and they have high fuel costs, too). In fact, today you can fly from coast to coast and stay in a five-star hotel for less than it costs to drive the same distance.

The major airlines are big contributors to charity, too — and not just in times of national tragedy. In fact, they routinely donate miles and services to such causes as the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the American Red Cross, cancer victims and their families, and many other worthy causes.
What is the problem here?

The scourge of the big U.S. airlines is their labor costs. Even after running the automotive industry into the ground, highly bureaucratic labor unions have yet to realize that their services are obsolete. Northwest Airlines rightly stood up to the unrealistic demands of its mechanics union, filling open positions with readily available, highly qualified mechanics with an average of 20 years experience servicing airplanes.

The striking mechanics did not have an opportunity to vote on Northwest’s final offer before union officials called the strike. Their union has no strike fund, and the workers’ last paychecks were paid weeks ago. Currently, workers are without health benefits, and these hard-working Americans are now struggling to make ends meet because the egotistical union leaders cannot see through their own foggy thought.
Forcing airlines into bankruptcy in order to renegotiate an antiquated labor contract is un-American. Relying on the courts to handle a company’s labor woes is bad business. Supporting this type of behavior is clearly not in the best interests of a free capitalist marketplace economy.

I say to the labor union: Remember the Reagan years and the air traffic controllers’ strike.

Where is this all going?

To those who think that the new low-cost carriers like Southwest and JetBlue are the future of the U.S. airline industry, I say: Think again. Will they get you to Des Moines to see Grandma at Christmas? I think not.

But Delta will.

In fact, the major airlines have maintained many unprofitable routes to responsibly serve their customers. Southwest and JetBlue cherry-picked their routes, offering limited service and poaching customers from the big carriers. With the major U.S. airlines, you can fly anywhere in the world. Southwest and JetBlue take you only where they want to go. Is that the kind of company you want to do business with?

The reality of the current U.S. airline industry is that the big airlines are shrinking their operating costs while the so-called low-budget carriers are increasing theirs. David Neeleman, CEO of JetBlue, expects JetBlue to operate more than 275 planes by 2010; those planes will include many new Embraer 190s to go with JetBlue’s current fleet of Airbus A-320s (the company doesn’t even buy American!). This plan will more than triple JetBlue’s fleet and workforce. Sounds like a lot of added costs to me.

I fear for Northwest and for the economy. Losing yet another major airline will hurt our transportation industry badly. It is time to reward airlines that have graciously withstood economic recessions, terrorism, high oil prices and labor disputes.

Showing support for the backbone of the U.S. airline industry shows support for the ideals of America. Don’t let labor unions rob the United States of well-paying jobs with their inflated demands. Instead, fly an airline faced with a labor dispute, and keep flying even when the carrier faces bankruptcy.

My advice? Commit to one major airline and let their planes fly you anywhere you need to go. You’ll be better off for it, and so will America.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9342052/


P.S. Fly American Airlines

[xaoshaen]

Yes, because in a free market economy, service providers should expect customers to pay higher fees out of product loyalty...

It's as American as apple pie and Communism!

[labbats]

Yes, because in a free market economy, service providers should expect customers to pay higher fees out of product loyalty...

It's as American as apple pie and Communism!

Did you even read the article?

Try taking a 33% wage cut last year. Now get asked for another one as your company goes bankrupt.

[Tacks]

And what if some of the "big companies" don't fly your airport? I'm not taking some piddly-ass commuter over to a bigger airport just to ride a big name airplane.

[xaoshaen]

Did you even read the article?

Try taking a 33% wage cut last year. Now get asked for another one as your company goes bankrupt.

Yep, read the whole thing, and it's entirely bullshit in a free-market economy. Do you know why Wal-Mart customers continue to shop there? It's not out of brand loyalty, but simply because Wal-Mart offers the best prices to the customers. BMW owners don't let "anyone else" service their vehicle? That's only true when other mechanics can't obtain proprietary parts.

Almost every assertion the author makes is either inaccurate or disingenuous.

[Captain Insano]

Hey seriously fuck Delta airlines... their service is fucking ass, the stewartesses and man-stewarts all have attitudes, the food BLOWS and their prices aren't that great, OH and they are always late, behind schedule and understaffed.

I hope delta goes up in flames for fucking people over for the last 40 years. Eat cock shitheads!

[Kaeerwen]

The fags that got fired for striking knew what they were getting into for going on strike, so why defend them? Also, how many people here honestly care about having a softer seat and a more clear TV screen for a 2-hour flight? I sure as hell don't. And what does it really matter to the average person who takes them where they're going, so long as they get there safely?

When the airline business was opened up for new entry years ago, this ball started rolling. While I agree that it is better to choose an airline and stick with them (solely because of loyalty benefits, ie free miles, discounts on hotel rooms, et cetera), why the hell should I pay twice as much for a ticket? Because the company purchases American planes? Fuck that.

If my company kept hitting me with wage cuts because they were going bankrupt (because someone else is better than them business-wise), I'd go to another company. No big deal. Businesses die out every single day in our country. This guy can suck a razor-covered rubber wang.

If you work for American or whatever, I'm sorry but that's the way the world turns, ya know?

[Trielelvan]

During the past 10 years, the airline industry has been in turmoil. In that time, we lost several great American companies, including TWA, Pan Am and Eastern. Chock it up to competition — that’s the American way.

The author doesn't know what he/she's talking about then.
I can't speak about Pan Am, but TWA and Eastern fell because the board of directors that ran the companies failed miserably in excercising GOOD business decisions. Rather, they refused to listen to anyone but themselves with regards what directions the business was heading, and well, now they have no airlines because they fucked up.

United is doing the same right now.
The airline my father works for is in discussions about buying them... yet another bad decision. Hopefully, they won't land themselves in bankruptcy again because of it.

[Tuggan]

This is how I feel about the auto-industry Labbats, I feel your pain. Been feeling your pain since I was a wee little guy. Nobody seems to see the bigger picture, just the best deal at the time.

[Kaeerwen]

Nobody gives a damn about the big picture, because there will always be a best deal at the time. If nothing else, these "upstart" companies will become the new giants, and new contenders will step into the ring to dethrone them. This is the way things have always worked.

[labbats]

If my company kept hitting me with wage cuts because they were going bankrupt (because someone else is better than them business-wise), I'd go to another company. No big deal. Businesses die out every single day in our country. This guy can suck a razor-covered rubber wang.

The problem is that you can't switch companies. Let's say I have all the perks at working for American for 5 or 6 years. If I get a job at any other airline I start back at first year pay and benefits, with a demotion to the bottom of the first officer seniority list.

[Kaeerwen]

If first year pay and benefits is better than what one would get after all the cuts of staying with the same business though, then it would probably behoove one to find another job. One could inform people all day of this kind of thing, but that doesn't make people listen. Point is I guess that bitching will do nothing. Companies in completely unrelated fields cut wages and downsize daily.

Again, I am sorry that this is impacting your life, and I do wish that everyone could have high-paying jobs with no responsibility, believe me... but it's just not possible. The business cycle is, and always will be, in effect.


Also, the "They're not even buying American!" argument is fucking stupid... if I have a choice between an American car or a foreign one, and the foreign one costs less for the same utility, or provides more utility than the American car for the same price after taking into account things like part import costs and availability, you can bet your ass I'll buy the foreign car. Fuck buying American just to buy American.

[labbats]

If first year pay and benefits is better than what one would get after all the cuts of staying with the same business though, then it would probably behoove one to find another job. One could inform people all day of this kind of thing, but that doesn't make people listen. Point is I guess that bitching will do nothing. Companies in completely unrelated fields cut wages and downsize daily.

Imagine going to college for 4 years, then another 2 years at a specialty school, then 2 years making less than minimum wage, then getting hired by an airline, starting at the bottom of the payscale ($25k) and moving your way up to captain after 5 years, all the while being responsible for hundreds of lives a day, then take a 33% pay cut. Then take another.

If you switch jobs, you start at the bottom. Take a computer guy, he gets promoted, becomes manager, and has a great selection of shifts to work. Then the company goes bankrupt. If he leaves he has to become a stockboy again and must work 10 hours a day again. That's the significance, and the reason that airlines are able to make such huge slashes in pay.

[Lyion]

This is how I feel about the auto-industry Labbats, I feel your pain. Been feeling your pain since I was a wee little guy. Nobody seems to see the bigger picture, just the best deal at the time.

Too true. We have entered the Gordon Gecko phase of life.. Greed is good. Fuck the big picture.

[xaoshaen]

This is how I feel about the auto-industry Labbats, I feel your pain. Been feeling your pain since I was a wee little guy. Nobody seems to see the bigger picture, just the best deal at the time.

Too true. We have entered the Gordon Gecko phase of life.. Greed is good. Fuck the big picture.

We entered that phase in 1776... the very Constitution our nation is founded on is based on greed. That's one of the major reasons it's been such a successful basis for the law of the land.

[Kaeerwen]

labbats, what can be done to fix it? Even if everyone that posts on this board went and bought a plane ticket from American right now, do you think the problem would be solved? If so, I'll buy one. Hell, two. The only thing the blame could be placed on is economic fact, which is absolutely pointless.

It would definitely be nice though if some sort of acceptable displacement program was created... I think that would be a more worthwhile fight, as it would benefit people across the board. You are right, I'd be furious.

[labbats]

Nah, actually American has $5 billion in cash reserves and nowhere near bankruptcy. I'm good.

My point is just to educate some people and let the public know a little more about what goes on behind the cockpit.

[Kaeerwen]

Curious, do you think airline regulation should've stayed as it was in the 70s? Thanks to you I actually do understand more why people could be conflicted on the matter.

labbats, I was reluctant at first, but I think now I'm willing to have your baby.

[labbats]

<3

[Eziekial]

I fly jet blue and southwest, or any major that has the lowest price and the best flight times.

[Tuggan]

Also, the "They're not even buying American!" argument is fucking stupid... if I have a choice between an American car or a foreign one, and the foreign one costs less for the same utility, or provides more utility than the American car for the same price after taking into account things like part import costs and availability, you can bet your ass I'll buy the foreign car. Fuck buying American just to buy American.

not that i really want to de-rail the thread about the airlines, but...

What do you think will happen to the entire countries economy if the American Auto industry were to collapse? You think the jap and koreans are worried about it? Think they'll open enough plants over here to make up for the losses? Do you not understand how many MILLIONS of American people are directly related to the auto-industry? Through contracts, suppliers etc... This country will fucking die if people dont wake up and start supporting their neighbors and buying American products.

[Captain Insano]

Sorry but the American economy is really never going to ever be what it once was.

The middle class is going to continue to erode and the rich will get richer and the poor poorer.

Here is a few reasons why:

One, Americans are lazy shitty work for the most part. They are always complaining and bitching about their rights and bullshit like sexual harassment etc. Sorry, but the guys in China will do whatever it takes to get the job done, which is how America once was.

Two, We support fucking morons. The majority of educational dollars spent in this country is thrown at the lazy, stupid and useless special interest groups instead of going to the most qualified. These same idiots scrape through college and are now deemed "qualified" and go work in companies that can't get rid of them for fear of losing their ASS in some BS court case backed by PC'ishness and liberal "we are all equal" propaganda. These smacktards eventually crawl their way up the corporate ladder and then run these companies into the ground. My last project in the government/Navy was a complete disaster because a few total dipshits were allowed to continue their employment at my company because they couldn't fire them for fear of repercussions and because of it the project ultimately failed and 70 percent of our workforce lost their jobs.

Whooops.

Three, Unions. Sorry but they had their place. Now they are just an overpriced, poorly performing and expensive waste. Get rid of all of them.

Four, Taxes. Businesses should not pay taxes. We should have a consumption tax. If my company ever gets audited for its first two years in business I will pay huge fines. I didn't put ANY effort into tracking anything and pretty much en masse wrote everything off. While that sounds insane to most people I would not even have a successful company if I wasted the time, effort and money the government and IRS require for tax compliance. It's absolutely rediculous.

Many people think that the big corporations should be paying all the taxes and really thats bullshit. Those companies employ millions of people and could probably employ millions more if they weren't wasting the time and dollars sucking off the IRS.

Five, Business licenses. GONE. Fucking worthless waste of time. So what the feds/city make 30 dollars a year so I can have a some dumbass useless license. The only thing a company should ever need is a corporation/LLC for protecting their assets. That is it. If we get rid of our current tax system there would be no need for most of these retarded licenses anyways.

Six, Healthcare, Pensions, Retirement Plans, Employee Insurance. GONE. I pay for all my own healthcare/dental etc and it costs me an extra 80 dollars a month. I also do my own investments. I have realized that I really don't need any of that shit that most companies are forced to offer. My old company had an entire building of people just to handle all the bullshit that was required of them to give to employees. Thats crap. Companies should be in the business of making money and running their business, not trying to manage all the required crap that is needed to hire one fucking employee. Get rid of this and maybe they will be able to pay more, make more and hire more people. Everyone wins.

Seven, any and all red tape I haven't thought of. Starting a business in this country should be made as easy and as cheaply as possible. The American people are always trying to squeeze the big corporations for more tax dollars and laying all kinds of wasteful bullshit at their feet, but what they don't realize is that all that crap also affects small/medium size businesses like mine. It's also the small/medium businesses that employ the vast majority of people in this country.

America needs to pull its fucking head out of its ass in regards to business in this country... Countries like Russia, China, India and now parts of poorer Europe are coming up hard and fast and are willing to do whatever it takes to make a buck while American companies are at a crawl trying to get anything done.

[mappatazee]

Hah, has me laughing at the end of the second paragraph. What the fuck is this?

Continue to read

Hahah, whole article is ridiculous.