Why you should fly the big airlines

[Steveair]

Well, I thought the article had some good points but also wasn't entirely "accurate," as is anything the news media has to say about aviation.


I do agree with the author on the vicious cycle - New, discount airlines will keep popping up and people will jumpseat to those since they're cheaper and it will just keep going on and on. There's another article out there, "Flying on bankrupt airlines without a pillow," that brings out some good points too. The days of dressing up and have a delicious 7 course meal will only come back with higher fares; fares that are adjusted for the times.... fares that will actually cover the cost of operating the route!


I also liked his stab at JetBlue. I am willing to bet they'll be out of business in 10 years when labor costs, maintenance costs, and aircraft lease payments all come do.... and hence the vicious cycle continues!

 

[GogglesPisano]

"In fact, the major airlines have maintained many unprofitable routes to responsibly serve their customers."

This guy is a complete whackjob.

 

[Phaedrus]

>>Joel Widzer is an expert on loyalty and frequent flier programs. He is the author of "The Penny Pincher's Passport to Luxury Travel," a guidebook on traveling in high style at budget-friendly prices. E-mail him or visit his Web site. Want to sound off about one of his columns? Try visiting Widzer's forum.<<

This guy may be the largest tool with armed with the most fallacious arguments that I've ever read.

>>I fear for Northwest and for the economy. Losing yet another major airline will hurt our transportation industry badly. It is time to reward airlines that have graciously withstood economic recessions, terrorism, high oil prices and labor disputes.
Showing support for the backbone of the U.S. airline industry shows support for the ideals of America. Don’t let labor unions rob the United States of well-paying jobs with their inflated demands. Instead, fly an airline faced with a labor dispute, and keep flying even when the carrier faces bankruptcy. <<

>>The future of American air transportation rides in the cabins of the nation’s big airlines. For more than 70 years, airlines like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines have proudly served the interests of American travelers. Along the way, they have helped businesses earn trillions of dollars, worked with the government to secure our borders, and given travelers a way to explore the wonders of the world.
And what have they gotten in return? Travelers have taken advantage of airlines’ willingness to maintain competitive fares and repaid it with fleeting loyalty and indifference. At the same time, selfish labor unions have drained the big airlines’ coffers and predatory upstart carriers have poached their routes. <<

The way he paints it, the legacies are the Mother Theresas of the industry, doing nothing but good for goodness' sake. I never knew the extent of altruism among the elite carrieres until I read this article! Wow! I'm sure profit and keeping competition out had no motivating force. Please.
I encourage you to "sound off" on his forum.

 

[Yank McCobb]

I also liked his stab at JetBlue. I am willing to bet they'll be out of business in 10 years when labor costs, maintenance costs, and aircraft lease payments all come do...

I see you are as "accurate" as that article when it comes to getting YOUR facts straight.

By the way...it's come "due". Yep. When JB starts having to pay for their maintenance, aircraft, etc., then they will be out of business. Man, hasn't that horse been beaten to death and that bandwagon all but abandoned?

I guess not.

 

[SWA/FO]

I emailed him and he responded.

I wrote something like this: I disagree with your article and think you have no idea what is going on in the airline industry etc...

His reply was: I have 2.5 million miles on 1 carrier and I have flown 200,000 miles this year alone!!!!

I replied, that maybe he should fly on more then 1 airline if he wants to talk about "airlines" or he should just talk about the 1 airline he flys on.

I say we give him hell!!!

 

[avernas]

In other industries, consumers build mutually beneficial relationships with providers of goods and services. Wal-Mart shoppers won’t shop anywhere else, just as BMW owners won’t let anyone else service their $70,000 vehicles. These consumers are fiercely loyal, no matter their income bracket.

I disagree that Wal-Mart customers are fiercely loyal. If K-mart or any other discount retailer could beat Wal-Mart's prices and services, don't think for a second the average consumer wouldn't shop elsewhere. Many people in a community may feel a little guilty when a Wal-Mart is built, knowing it may well drive small local shops out of business. Somehow, everyone ends up shopping at Wal-Mart anyway. People looking to save a dollar (most people) have little or no loyalty in nearly every industry.

 

[capt. megadeth]

Many people in a community may feel a little guilty when a Wal-Mart is built, knowing it may well drive small local shops out of business. Somehow, everyone ends up shopping at Wal-Mart anyway. People looking to save a dollar (most people) have little or no loyalty in nearly every industry.

I actually stopped shopping at Wal-Mart when I found out about the way they run business. I also stopped going to Sam's Club when I found out they were associated with Wal-Mart.

 

[Tarzan]

I'm a BAAAAAAD man for wanted some compensation for what I do. I'm sure the jerk does not know that half what pilots have to do just to keep their jobs let alone the time and training to become one adding to how much time we spend away from our families.

I bet that jerk doesn't have to pass a physical ever six months or will lose his job if he gets diabetes. I beet he doesn't three quaters of his time away from home. he doesn't have to do recurrent. he doesn't have to worry about some Ahole from the FAA that has a chip on his shoulder and can ruin you forever because you made a human mistake.

I am not a big union guy and do for the most part believe them obsolete. However, I do believe there does need some organization for pilots because we're doing something we love to do and that gets used against us.

 

[Paul R. Smith]

I am not a big union guy and do for the most part believe them obsolete. However, I do believe there does need some organization for pilots because we're doing something we love to do and that gets used against us.

And why would you be a big union guy?

Be58 C210 C172 C152 Be23 Be24 CH2T PA28/180 PA23/250

This kind of equipment is typically not covered by many unions.

 

[OCP]

And why would you be a big union guy?

Be58 C210 C172 C152 Be23 Be24 CH2T PA28/180 PA23/250

This kind of equipment is typically not covered by many unions.

Are you kidding me? Judge this guy of what he flies or has flown on his little profile on the side of his name? Please... Get over it.

 

[GuppyPuppy]

I'm a BAAAAAAD man for wanted some compensation for what I do. I'm sure the jerk does not know that half what pilots have to do just to keep their jobs let alone the time and training to become one adding to how much time we spend away from our families.

I bet that jerk doesn't have to pass a physical ever six months or will lose his job if he gets diabetes. I beet he doesn't three quaters of his time away from home. he doesn't have to do recurrent. he doesn't have to worry about some Ahole from the FAA that has a chip on his shoulder and can ruin you forever because you made a human mistake.

I am not a big union guy and do for the most part believe them obsolete. However, I do believe there does need some organization for pilots because we're doing something we love to do and that gets used against us.

Does your editor have the day off?

GP

 

[Phaedrus]

Guppy: D@mn funny. And spot on to boot.

 

[Tarzan]

This kind of equipment is typically not covered by many unions.

Because I've been around for more than a couple of days and have some knowledge of econmics and history. Judging your profile, I'd figure you for a PFT guy. Guess that would make you a big union guy to make up for your past. Hmmmm? At least I got to the EMB honestly.

 

[Tarzan]

Does your editor have the day off?

GP

What are you? The "Spell check Nazi?"

 

[GuppyPuppy]

What are you? The "Spell check Nazi?"

No. I just had to read your post a few times before I could understand what you were trying to say. It gets a bit frustrating.

GP