George Will

[Poahi]

That's my point- Obamacare takes control of nothing and, if anything, is a corporate blowjob to private insurance companies in attempting to mandate purchase.
But keep stretching

Obamacare controls medicare payments, the CAB controlled fares. On the other hand, the CAB didn't compel Americans to travel as a condition of citizenship.

 

[PCL_128]

There are probably 4-5 times as many pilot’s jobs now as there was in 1977.

Which has absolutely nothing to do with deregulation, and everything to do with an overall economic explosion that began in the early '80s.

 

[PCL_128]

It didn't really work.

It worked phenomenally, and created the greatest airline industry in the world. The airlines were stable, small markets were served, service was incredible, delays were minimal, etc. Everything has gone down hill since 1978.

Bring back the CAB!

 

[Poahi]

It worked phenomenally, and created the greatest airline industry in the world. The airlines were stable, small markets were served, service was incredible, delays were minimal, etc. Everything has gone down hill since 1978.

Bring back the CAB!

Here's why that will never happen:

http://library.findlaw.com/1988/Sep/1/129304.html

 

[pilotyip]

Which has absolutely nothing to do with deregulation, and everything to do with an overall economic explosion that began in the early '80s.

Don't completely agree, de-reg moved the ticket price down to complete with the Greyhound Bus. Now middle class people could afford to fly and they bought lots of tickets. My school teacher sisters are a classic example until the mid 80's they drove to FL to visit mom, now they fly.

 

[doh]

Life was good for a few pilots under regulation. There are probably 4-5 times as many pilot’s jobs now as there was in 1977. Back in reg time it was about 90% military that went to the majors. Dereg opened up a lot of airline job to non-military pilots. To return to regulation would raise ticket prices, reduce the number of passengers, and therefore reduce the number of pilots needed. BTW SWA the low cost provider has near the top wages, this was done under de-reg. Still is still a great way to make a living.

The CEO has little control over the airline, the airline is run by regulation and union contracts. They are at the mercy of the purchasing public, who with Internet access has made the airline ticket a perfectly elastic commodity.

People change airlines for a $1.00, Spirit is now one of the most profitable airlines, but has the cheapest fares. However they are now thinki9ng of a
charge to use the lav.

If the CEO has no control, wtf are we paying such outrageous compensation for? Don't try to sluff off CEO responsibility unless you are willing to sluff off the money as well.

 

[pilotyip]

If the CEO has no control, wtf are we paying such outrageous compensation for? Don't try to sluff off CEO responsibility unless you are willing to sluff off the money as well.

This is repeat but if fits here. This is a pilot board so saying anything in defense of management is like peeing into the wind, that it is going to come back to you. Now I will agree that CEO leadership in many cases leaves much to be desired and their compensation is obscene. An issue of ATW in 2002 had an article about “Airline Management a dying breed”; the article basically said no one wants to do it. The good track record CEO’s are going to other industries. With tremendous, payrolls, overhead burdens, and extremely low margins, there is no tried and true path to success. Most have tried to increase market share, but this has lead to low price and ridiculous breakeven load factors in 95% range. What is management supposed to do? Eliminating management will bring the end quicker for the airplane industry, and their salaries are insignificant to the airlines operating costs. I saw an article in ATW in 2001 that stated at DAL there were 17 members of top management made more than the top DAL Captain. The combined top 17 salaries equaled less than 1/6 of 1% of the combined pilot salaries. If management worked for free all pilots in the company would get a 1/10 of 1% raise. (for a $100K per year pilot that would be $3/wk increase in take home) Boy that raise would really make the pilot group happy. Top management possesses skills that allow them to move from job to job and command high salaries. And every one of these managers wants to see his/her airline prosper. They just can not do it.

 

[Ty Webb]

Fair enough, YIP, it is a tough racket. Airline history books are filled with examples of brilliance and buffoonery. Unfortunately, there is more of the later than the former, as many of our brethren who have lost their savings, their pensions, and their dignity can attest.

 

[IBNAV8R]

The greatest thing about de-regulation is that it allowed everyone to fly.

The biggest downside is that it allowed everyone to fly.

 

[doh]

This is repeat but if fits here. This is a pilot board so saying anything in defense of management is like peeing into the wind, that it is going to come back to you. Now I will agree that CEO leadership in many cases leaves much to be desired and their compensation is obscene. An issue of ATW in 2002 had an article about “Airline Management a dying breed”; the article basically said no one wants to do it. The good track record CEO’s are going to other industries. With tremendous, payrolls, overhead burdens, and extremely low margins, there is no tried and true path to success. Most have tried to increase market share, but this has lead to low price and ridiculous breakeven load factors in 95% range. What is management supposed to do? Eliminating management will bring the end quicker for the airplane industry, and their salaries are insignificant to the airlines operating costs. I saw an article in ATW in 2001 that stated at DAL there were 17 members of top management made more than the top DAL Captain. The combined top 17 salaries equaled less than 1/6 of 1% of the combined pilot salaries. If management worked for free all pilots in the company would get a 1/10 of 1% raise. (for a $100K per year pilot that would be $3/wk increase in take home) Boy that raise would really make the pilot group happy. Top management possesses skills that allow them to move from job to job and command high salaries. And every one of these managers wants to see his/her airline prosper. They just can not do it.

I am talking about managers in general. When the company turns a profit, they claim a huge bonus because they are responsible for the success. When the company loses money, they claim there was nothing they could do. But they have to be given a huge retention bonus to guide the company through tough times? I thought there was nothing they could do? What we really need is laws that hold these overpaid prima donnas responsible for the mess they make.