Predictions for end of 2008

[Dizel8]

We still will not have a coherent energy policy!

 

[PCL_128]

....and Obama will be fiscally responsible?

Just getting us out of Iraq is a good start. A trillion dollar war. Absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Jetjockey]

What's $3B a week? Where rich! (sarcasm)

Where's that cheap Iraqi oil that was to fund a majority of this war?

Bush Sucks!

 

[Tail Gunner Joe]

I predict:

10. Darby will say there is a pilot shortage
9. Boyd says the end is near for the 50 seater
8. Management will continue to say everything is going great until 11:58, then declare bankruptcy at 11:59.
7. The hub in the midwest is closing.
6. A new hub on the west coast is opening.
5. The 787 is opening new routes to Austraila
4. There'll be big changes when Southwest's hedges run out.
3. The bubble will burst on oil prices
2. Mesa still sux

and the grand-daddy of all predictions:

1. There is a BIG announcement coming -- next week.

 

[FDJ2]

....and Obama will be fiscally responsible? Politicians look at the average Joe as nothing more than a means to pimp off of so that can extract dollars from their wallets and direct towards their pet projects. I understand your being against McCain but I am speculating Obama is your "solution"?

I guess we can all be cynical and wish a pox on all their houses, but a choice has to be made.

There is one candidate that openly supports relaxing cabotage laws and another that doesn't. There is one candidate that sponsored a bill to deny pilots the right to strike and one who didn't. There is one candidate who openly supported a war against a country that never attacked us and another who didn't. To me the choice is clear.

 

[Networ-King]

My reference to UPS and FedEx has more to do with my lack of confidence in American business leadership and our politicians. May we all be prosperous with honor.

I fully understand what you are trying to say. The grass is never greener on the other side of the fence. We have our own problems here at big brown. The inefficiencies at this company are horrible. Just like when I was in the pax world.... until you actually lose your a$$ and can't make a profit then the inefficiencies will NEVER get fixed. Think of it like a safety hazard with the FAA. Until there is a plane crash, the policy or rule will not change. Sooo..... when and if UPS starts to lose....eeeerrr.... not make 4 Billion a year, then and only then, will big brown make drastic changes.......

By the way... I read my post and Im thinking the few beers I've had just might have something to do with the punctuation and run ons ..... so go easy people....

ps Browntothebone.....

This whole DHL thing might be good for us, but Im guessing you've never been on the other end of the pole while its being shoved up your career goals or expectations. SSSOOOOO take down a notch and have some respect for our fellow freight dogs. I hope that UPS offers DHL EMPLOYEES preferential interviews for these positions that we MIGHT be getting. Again...good luck to all of us in this god for saken industry........

Net

 

[Soverytired]

Just getting us out of Iraq is a good start. A trillion dollar war. Absolutely ridiculous.

To be quickly replaced with trillions of dollars in entitlements that will never go away (unlike the war).

Oh, excuse me, "investments." Hey, look at all the money thrown at, say, black America since LBJ and the 1960's. Result?

24% of black children born to single mothers in 1960. 71% now. Fatherless families are a huge predictor for a kids eventual success (or failure) in life.

Hey . . . I'm sure once Obama gets spending, we'll manage to get that rate up to 100% single mothers! Sweet! It will be "FAIR"!

 

[JoeMerchant]

How much of the rest of your life can be sustained if you don't have an income? Being a pilot is a small part of my overall life. Hell, I only fly about 40 hours a month. But the rest of my lifestyle can't be sustained without the income I receive from that 40 hours a month. If McCain has his way, my ability to earn a decent living by flying airplanes will go away, and that means the rest of my lifestyle goes away. Gay marriage and dividend taxes won't mean much to me when I'm living in a cardboard box.

In the spirit of Tim Russert, who you and I both respect, can we try to get back to an honest debate....

Do you really believe that you will live in a cardboard box if McCain gets elected? I don't want Obama....but even I know I won't be living in a cardboard box if he gets in....

Aren't we being just a wee bit melodramatic?

Now on to the next issue you raised....You said McCain will hamper your ability to earn a "decent living flying airplanes"....There are many "decent living jobs" flying airplanes that aren't union jobs....How does that jive with your thesis?

Just trying to reign in the rhetoric.....

 

[Dizel8]

Just getting us out of Iraq is a good start.

It'll be a long time before we get out of Iraq, not even sure it will happen during the next presidency.

Even if there is a withdrawal, the US is geared up to be there for a long time to come. Take a look at the size of the embassy. I would imagine a couple of military bases as well, like in Saudi, got to keep the Iranians on their toes.

 

[Soverytired]

It'll be a long time before we get out of Iraq, not even sure it will happen during the next presidency.

Even if there is a withdrawal, the US is geared up to be there for a long time to come. Take a look at the size of the embassy. I would imagine a couple of military bases as well, like in Saudi, got to keep the Iranians on their toes.

But . . but . .. . Obama said he'd leave!

 

[PCL_128]

Do you really believe that you will live in a cardboard box if McCain gets elected?

No, but I think my career in aviation will be in serious jeopardy and I'll have to look for a new way to make a living.

There are many "decent living jobs" flying airplanes that aren't union jobs....How does that jive with your thesis?

They only offer good pay and benefits because they are competing with the union shops. You know this, Joe. Skyworst wouldn't be paying their pilots those industry standard wages if they weren't afraid of a union coming on property. If McCain has his way and neuters all unions once and for all, you can forget decent pay and work rules at every airline.

 

[scoreboardII]

oil at $175-210 barrel
fuel $5.75-7.50 gallon
Air fares double, some triple what they are today.
Inflation at 7%.
Unemployment at 9%.
Load factors down 30% from present levels.
Everyone including WN losing money in 3rd, 4th and 1st qtr.
2009-congress sticks their nose into the mess and forces limited re-regulation on "essential routes".
Foreign ownership occurs as they cherry pick bankrupt carriers.

Flying is not a right nor a necessity. The rich will still get there. Mom and Pop and Betty Sue Williams will not, or they will drive.

This industry will return to it's pre 60's level of participation, less than 5% of the population. About the same level as characterized as "wealthy".

 

[pilotyip]

The Dem's way cut and run

Just getting us out of Iraq is a good start. A trillion dollar war. Absolutely ridiculous.

Yea that is the anti-war Dems way, win a war, then cut off all funding to allow that country to have chance at success. Turn your back on the unbelievable efforts of all the vets who pulled off the victory. Turn your back on the millions who supported your efforts in their country and let them suffer. We did in 1975 and it was a disaster. Source Jim Webb, Dem VA, in his book "A Time to Fight"

 

[PCL_128]

Yea that is the anti-war Dems way, win a war, then cut off all funding to allow that country to have chance at success. Turn your back on the unbelievable efforts of all the vets who pulled off the victory. Turn your back on the millions who supported your efforts in their country and let them suffer. We did in 1975 and it was a disaster. Source Jim Webb, Dem VA, in his book "A Time to Fight"

Yes, you would do well to listen to Jim Webb. His thoughts? Get the hell out of Iraq.

 

[Benhuntn]

Terrorist will reverse themselves and back McCain.