Speculator's mocking the airlines

[Superpilot92]

An Open Letter to All Airlines

THEY SEEM TO THINK ITS FUNNY!!

An Open Letter to All Airlines

By Bill Mann, Tim Hanson, Nate Weisshaar, and Joe Magyer July 10, 2008 Comments (2)
2 Recommendations

Dear CEOs of AirTran (NYSE: AAI), Alaska Airlines, AMR (NYSE: AMR), Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL), Delta Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU), Midwest Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), UAL (Nasdaq: UAUA), and US Airways (NYSE: LCC),
Thank you for your July 10 letter detailing the threat of rising oil prices to your businesses and our economy and for encouraging us to help you "Stop Oil Speculation Now." We have a few follow-up comments, questions, and suggestions.

First, we feel your pain. You have, historically, been a group of such well-run businesses that it's difficult to watch some of you pile up losses and flirt with bankruptcy. This is unprecedented in our economic history and the situation clearly requires urgent action. Or not.

Didn't Eastern Airlines collapse when oil was $12 per barrel? Come to think of it, U.S.-based airlines have eviscerated shareholder capital for decades. The Oracle of Omaha invested in U.S. Air one time, and has described the fact that he managed to make money as being indistinguishable from blind stinking luck (we're paraphrasing here). We even have a colleague who wrote recently that he wouldn't recommend airline stocks to his worst enemy.

So perhaps you shouldn't be blaming oil traders for your difficulties, but rather should focus on developing a robust, highly efficient industry based on the ideal of competition which ensures timely and enjoyable coast-to-coast (and even international) travel. That means, first and foremost, good service -- even for economy class passengers. After all, people will always need to travel. You might find out that airline passengers are more willing to pay up to fly (see the growth of a company like NetJets) when they know it won't be a dreadful experience.

But please let us know if your strategy works. We're pretty fed up with how the stock market has been declining recently. Perhaps we can convince Congress that the downturn threatens American savings and has been driven by "speculators" who are selling stocks without regard to their fundamental prospects and that we need regulations that will "Stop Stock Selling Now."

Yeah, that sounds like a foolproof solution.

Sincerely,
Us

 

[Raoul Duke]

classic and true

 

[flyipilot]

I think it is sad and I agree with the above letter. The airlines need to RAISE the fares! But, it is easier to keep cut throating each other and take away customer items. The airline execs do not care about the employees getting the shaft. That is the sad part.

 

[clippyrip]

That is a letter from four guys who would screw their mom if there was profit in it. What else would they do but go tell you to shove off. That is why we need to close the loop hole and cut them off at the knees.

 

[Flybywire44]

Thats great.

 

[Superpilot92]

That is a letter from four guys who would screw their mom if there was profit in it. What else would they do but go tell you to shove off. That is why we need to close the loop hole and cut them off at the knees.

I absolutely agree. These oil prices are killing our industry and no matter how many times the ******************************'s in the article say it there is no way the industry could have been prepared for a 100% spike in oil in less than a year. Speculation is playing a part in the price, its not the only reason but it is adding at least 30-40 dollars a barrel onto the price.

Oh not to mention comparing the PAX at Netjets to the everyday 121 pax just shows the guys are morons.

They are probably drunk after making a killing selling their mothers soul.uke:

 

[Jack Schitt]

Oh not to mention comparing the PAX at Netjets to the everyday 121 pax just shows the guys are morons.

Hey moron, most of those pax at Netjets used to be YOUR everyday 121 pax. In fact, they used to buy first class tickets. I wonder why they choose to pay more for Netjets?

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

Because it IS funny.

CE

 

[Superpilot92]

Hey moron, most of those pax at Netjets used to be YOUR everyday 121 pax. In fact, they used to buy first class tickets. I wonder why they choose to pay more for Netjets?

BS the everyday 121 PAX isnt the first class pax. Sure every now and again there were and are bigwigs up front but they arent your "everyday 121 pax". The Everyday 121 PAX DOES NOT ride on Netjets or in first class, Moron.

Thanks for the debate though.

 

[Larcifer]

That is a letter from four guys who would screw their mom if there was profit in it. What else would they do but go tell you to shove off. That is why we need to close the loop hole and cut them off at the knees.

Sounds just like a bunch of pilots fighting over a senority number and age 60.

 

[Jack Schitt]

BS the everyday 121 PAX isnt the first class pax. Sure every now and again there were and are bigwigs up front but they arent your "everyday 121 pax". The Everyday 121 PAX DOES NOT ride on Netjets or in first class, Moron.

Thanks for the debate though.

That's exactly my point. How do you think most Netjets customers traveled the country before Netjets existed? That's right- on the airlines, probably sitting in first class. You lost your bread and butter and they're never coming back. You can raise fares all you want but you'll only lose more trailer trash and continue to park airplanes. Didn't they teach you this at Riddle last year?

 

[Crossky]

That's exactly my point. How do you think most Netjets customers traveled the country before Netjets existed? That's right- on the airlines, probably sitting in first class. You lost your bread and butter and they're never coming back. You can raise fares all you want but you'll only lose more trailer trash and continue to park airplanes. Didn't they teach you this at Riddle last year?

EEeaassyy now fella.

Do you have facts on hand, statistics, that prove that 'most NetJets customers previously traveled on the airlines in first class'? Many corporate flight department have shrunk. Many VP's and what not who previously flew on the corporate jet now fly fractional. Many companies which chartered flights now fly with a fractional. Many celebrities and wealthy which formally chartered jets now fly with a fractional.

I wouldn't say more than half of the fracs customers are former airline travellers. And of the business frac flyers, I bet half of 'em still have to fly the airlines sometimes.

 

[clippyrip]

It is a big leap of between buying a nice seat on an airliner an your own jet. The bread and butter is still out there.....

 

[Mr.B]

That is a letter from four guys who would screw their mom if there was profit in it. What else would they do but go tell you to shove off. That is why we need to close the loop hole and cut them off at the knees.

Agreed...they are cut from the same cloth as the greedy bastards that run the airlines. They would sell their sister for a buck.

 

[Superpilot92]

That's exactly my point. How do you think most Netjets customers traveled the country before Netjets existed? That's right- on the airlines, probably sitting in first class. You lost your bread and butter and they're never coming back. You can raise fares all you want but you'll only lose more trailer trash and continue to park airplanes. Didn't they teach you this at Riddle last year?

Apparently you dont know Jack Schitt. Netjets has grown my mostly corporations getting rid of corporate fleets and buying Quarter Shares . The avg 121 pax is still an avg 121 pax.

By the way i have never stepped foot on or attended Riddle, moron.

 

[Superpilot92]

EEeaassyy now fella.

Do you have facts on hand, statistics, that prove that 'most NetJets customers previously traveled on the airlines in first class'? Many corporate flight department have shrunk. Many VP's and what not who previously flew on the corporate jet now fly fractional. Many companies which chartered flights now fly with a fractional. Many celebrities and wealthy which formally chartered jets now fly with a fractional.

I wouldn't say more than half of the fracs customers are former airline travellers. And of the business frac flyers, I bet half of 'em still have to fly the airlines sometimes.

Evidently they didn't teach him about that last year at riddle.

 

[General Lee]

That's exactly my point. How do you think most Netjets customers traveled the country before Netjets existed? That's right- on the airlines, probably sitting in first class. You lost your bread and butter and they're never coming back. You can raise fares all you want but you'll only lose more trailer trash and continue to park airplanes. Didn't they teach you this at Riddle last year?

That is ridiculous. A lot of the people in first class are million milers, and they are usually middle managers at companies. The CEOs often fly on their own corporate jets, or fractionals. Not many middle managers qualify for that expense. What did very rich people do prior to Netjets? They flew their own corporate planes. As the economy gets worse, those people with their own planes ditch them for fractionals, and that is why Netjets does well. But at least we know one thing, you Netjets guys won't be flying in the back of your own jets (neither will we), you will likely keep flying our airliners (at high fares since they are bought last minute by Netjets---probably our only profitable tickets sold....thanks), and you luckily still get to experience the TSA and all that fun. You guys get to do it at least twice per tour. Enjoy it! If you need some water, ask the stew when she is not busy.......And, did you go to Empty Nipple? You probably were rejected.


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[Jack Schitt]

Yeah, ya'll are right, it has nothing to do with crappy airline service. Why pay $300 for a round trip ticket when you can pay $5000/hr on a corporate jet? The oil speculators aren't the only ones mocking the airlines. Your best (former)customers have been doing it for years.

 

[skiandsurf]

That is ridiculous. A lot of the people in first class are million milers, and they are usually middle managers at companies. The CEOs often fly on their own corporate jets, or fractionals. Not many middle managers qualify for that expense. What did very rich people do prior to Netjets? They flew their own corporate planes. As the economy gets worse, those people with their own planes ditch them for fractionals, and that is why Netjets does well. But at least we know one thing, you Netjets guys won't be flying in the back of your own jets (neither will we), you will likely keep flying our airliners (at high fares since they are bought last minute by Netjets---probably our only profitable tickets sold....thanks), and you luckily still get to experience the TSA and all that fun. You guys get to do it at least twice per tour. Enjoy it! If you need some water, ask the stew when she is not busy.......And, did you go to Empty Nipple? You probably were rejected.


Bye Bye---General Lee

Wanna bet?
I just got back from my 4th of July vacation. Took a NJs plane from SNA to SDL (drove to Sedona). My wife was surprised that we were treated like owners, not low life non-revers. Drove the car plane side, had the line-guys take our bags.

 

[General Lee]

Wanna bet?
I just got back from my 4th of July vacation. Took a NJs plane from SNA to SDL (drove to Sedona). My wife was surprised that we were treated like owners, not low life non-revers. Drove the car plane side, had the line-guys take our bags.

That's fantastic. Once on Southwest, on the jumpseat, a stew gave me a full Coke. I almost choked up with tears. Who was I? Herb Kelleher? That was fantastic.

Bye Bye--General Lee