Open Skies Part 2

[Skywest Pylot]

Am I the only one who is really concerned about Open Skies part 2?

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSL2864852720080328

European airlines have complained this deal unfairly favors U.S. rivals and EU states have threatened to scrap it if Washington does not agree by 2010 to a second phase allowing foreign airlines to buy more voting rights in U.S. carriers and permitting them to run domestic U.S. services.

Foreign carriers flying point to point in the U.S.?!

Foreign entities acquiring controlling stakes in U.S. carriers?!

Think about the potential devastation to our industry if this goes through. Negotiations start on May 15th.

 

[Nevets]

Am I the only one who is really concerned about Open Skies part 2?

http://www.reuters.com/article/politicsNews/idUSL2864852720080328



Foreign carriers flying point to point in the U.S.?!

Foreign entities acquiring controlling stakes in U.S. carriers?!

Think about the potential devastation to our industry if this goes through. Negotiations start on May 15th.

Its only to allow more voting rights, not to be able to acquire controlling stakes. Along with cabatoge, I don't think that will ever happen.

 

[Skywest Pylot]

Its only to allow more voting rights, not to be able to acquire controlling stakes. Along with cabatoge, I don't think that will ever happen.

Our government is selling us out. Look at NAFTA. Look at the trade deficit with China. Look at the U.S. shipping ports. Look at Virgin America! Maybe this will refresh your memory http://images.google.com/imgres?img...chard+Branson+Virgin+America&gbv=2&hl=en&sa=G

Those who are only vaguely familiar with Richard Branson should listen up -- he says he's going to revolutionize the way Americans fly.

As of today, Branson's Virgin America airline is now operating flights between five American cities.

As pilots we are not immune.

 

[Nevets]

Our government is selling us out. Look at NAFTA. Look at the trade deficit with China. Look at the U.S. shipping ports. Look at Virgin America! Maybe this will refresh your memory http://images.google.com/imgres?img...chard+Branson+Virgin+America&gbv=2&hl=en&sa=G


As pilots we are not immune.

What I'm saying is that there is no political will to give non US citizens controlling rights to US airlines, or to allow cabotage. Too many opponents, including ALPA. Also, what VA is doing is not cabotage and is a US citizen.

 

[Smarta$$]

It is very concerning. Read that last issue of Airline Pilot. It is a very big deal.

And don't believe for a second that the current government wouldn't sell us down the river.

 

[COOPERVANE]

It was interesting to read about there not being ANY American cargo ships with American crewman coming into our ports anymore. It's alot cheaper to hire Filipinos to crew them.

Americans don't care as long as they can go to Walmart and buy rubber dog $hit 6 for a dollar.

Why would our jobs be any different? As long as there is a perception of safety and few crashes, the industry could be filled with Korean/Philippine/Mexican citizens flying for 1/3 of what we make, with all maintenance performed by outside sources as well.

This is a big deal to me and we should be launching a grass roots campagn to counter it.

 

[PBRstreetgang]

Wanna look at the future of US airlines? Look at the US maritime industry.
PBR

 

[Hawker800]

You airline dudes better get concerned about this. It is the greatest threat to your careers that you could ever imagine. The US govt. will sell you out!

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

The threat and this thread are real.

If you are an ALPA member and you don't give to the PAC... it is time to start... if you give.. consider giving a little bit more....

The only way to protect ourselves is to have access to gov't. Money= access. That is the way it is...

Those who want to hire Filipino's to fly our jets are dumping lots of cash into gov't access.