OK I'll Bite,
What's wrong with having foreign ownership in air carriers? I assumed it would bring in more competition and improved service and pricing due to the competition.
Also wouldn't it allow our companies to operate overseas thus increasing our opportunities?
I may be wrong and do not now the specifics that some of you may be privy to but would like to know what I am missing.
What makes you think you and your fellow United States pilots will be the ones flying the jet?
There are more pilots globally that have a lower standard of living than us, that would gladly operate our jets for pennies on the dollar.
There is a reason why all the maritime freighters are operated by Ol East Soviet bloc Officers and Philippine sailors.. meaning the citizens of lesser countries with lower standards of living that do it cheaper.
Foreign ownership is not only the problem... The brand alliances such as Star Alliance, OneWorld and Skyteam are also a threat.... We saw it briefly and similarly, when KLM and NWA got in bed.... KLM wanted to do more if not most of the transoceanic flying.... How'd you like to be limited to narrowbody domestic flying... for all US pilots? (SWA is going to have to tap the int'l market...)
The US domestic market is huge... and we dominate it. Take for example the Japanese and their domestic market... simply put they want a bigger piece of the pie and will negotiate that they should have more pacific routes.
Combine foreign ownership of say United Airlines majority owned by Lufthansa and the ability shift flying within the Star Alliance is very real. United will sell its B747's (widebodies) to LH and LH pilots will do all or most of the flying...
But the LH pilots are really not the threat.. These alliances will allow assets shifted to the eastern European or Asian companies such as Air China, LOT... or the new Transnational Airlines.
Transnational Airlines can be very problematic for labor. Under what law to they follow? These type Airlines have the ability to move labor and capitol over political boundaries... These types companies, such as Ryan Air, and their markets are years ahead of the law....
Ryan Air, A low Cost Carrier, operated by Michael O'leary, makes Jonathan Orienstein look like an alter boy. He treats labor like disposable diapers. With wicked loans for training, he has pilots on an indentured servitude type work agreement. Finally, the money made on these carriers isn't necessarily in the cost of the ticket.. its in the "extras". Checked luggage, food, blankets, wheel chair service, all which the passenger pays ala carte. So you can see how Ryan Air doesn't value its pilots cause they are not the true revenue producers...
Finally the LCC model is being copied globally. The problem is... Southwest isn't the model. Its O'Leary's Ryan Air.
Don't forget cabatoge. NYC can't hold back the Atlantic if it was to raise sea level 3 ft. Labor unions can't hold back global market forces... Cabatoge will probably come to the USA....the goal is to ensure that US Pilots are protected...
All of this... the global market place, globalism, is really about the distribution of wealth and those who control it. Labor is a cost
to be controlled. Why should American pilots with their hyperconsumption, hyperconsumerism lifestyle that demands a large annual income be placated when a third world country pilot will do it happily for nickels....
But let's be clear.... it is not the Third World pilot that is the problem..... many of these pilots fear their company before regulators... In the USA, we rather fear the FAA. With PIC authority if we don't think it is safe we tell the company to pound sand. Not so in Africa, S. America and Asia for example.. Their companies tell them to fly unsafe and if they don't like it they can find another job. A reality hard for us to comprehend...
The point is this.... we must understand the airline global market place... it is already effecting us. If we don't help pilots in third world countries.. to raise their standard.. then we will all go down....
Advise if links are needed to get educated...
