Re-Regulating the Airlines, Part III

By -
(Please see parts I and II below)

In part II, I ended by listing what I believe are the factors that have caused airline deregulation to unravel.  Let me deal with two of them in this part of the series.

The self-defeating tactics of airline management and unions...

A number of years ago, American Airlines wanted to change its work rules.  Unions would not go along.  So, AA management decided to “teach the unions a lesson” and selected five cities (one was Wichita), and convert them to American Eagle propeller service from all-jets. Since AA’s pilot union didn’t fly Eagle jets, it was a warning.  After a year or so of this nonsense, they settled the dispute and the jets returned to Wichita and the other cities.  But, during this period – for the first time as a Wichita resident – I drove to Dallas.  I didn’t like the props, I didn’t like what was then the shabby Eagle terminal, so I drove.  Stupid of management…revenue lost and my 100% habit of flying to Dallas was interrupted. While it would take years, now I drive to Dallas 100% of the time. It has been at least five years since I have flown to Dallas (note: I have flown through Dallas).

Fast forward to the United Airlines “summers from hell” in 2000 and 2001 when UA’s pilot union decided to hold their customers hostage by refusing overtime and paralyzing the system while denying they were doing it.  I don’t dispute the union’s right to strike.  I do resent being lied to by UA pilots (I asked several directly) as to whether a job action was in progress so I could plan accordingly. Guess what?  After consistently flying to Omaha on business (via Denver on United), I started driving. I haven’t flown since. Not once. I travel to Omaha 1-3 times per year. 

Since September 11th, due to layoffs, give-backs, etc., airline employee attitudes have gone from “fair” to intollerably bad.  Airline “service” is non-existent.  As I have previously written, I, for the most part, would rather deal with a ‘virtual’ airline employee than the real thing.

No one, management or union, in the airline industry seems to realize that there is a penalty for terrible attitudes and that is that people can choose not to fly unless they have to. I have read that Thanksgiving 2009 airline travel was down 60% when compared to the levels of Thanksgiving 2000. The loss of sixty percent of your customers means the industry’s very survival is at stake.  While the nonsense of the TSA has something to do with this, the airlines bear, by far, the largest responsibility.

And, given the current regulatory environment, things are not likely to change for the better.

Comments

New comments are not allowed.

Popular posts from this blog

Hilary's Forecast Path Shifts West; Updated 9:20am PDT

By -
Image
The forecast path of the center of Hilary has shifted a bit to the west. This increases the threat to the Southland, especially in terms of flooding.  Rainfall Note the heavy rains are forecast for Los Angeles County. Serious flash flooding may result. Because the forecast path has shifted to the west, that increases the threat of serious flooding in Los Angeles County north into Yosemite and the southern Sierra. It lessens the threat in Utah and western Arizona. While the threat of widespread flooding in Utah and Arizona lessens, note that some thunderstorms with localized heavy rain show up on the map.  In Nevada, the more western path increases the risk of serious flooding around Mt Charleston and into the central part of the state.  Here is the updated  (9am PDT) flash flood risk map. Wind There are already about 40,000 people without power in California, mostly in the center of the state.  The maps above are the peak gusts forecasted with the storm. The highest winds, in general,
Read more

Dangerous Travel Conditions - People Reportedly Stranded

By -
Image
-- Note, more current info available. Scroll up. --- Updated Information as of 8am PDT You are risking your life if you attempt to travel through the purple area.  While the rain has not begun in coastal California, I would urge you to use this time to make any preparations. Power outages have occurred already in southeast California. Here is the latest radar as of 7:55am PDT. As of 6:40am PDT , the radar indicates moderate to heavy rain falling over desert areas of Southern California and far western Arizona (click to enlarge).  Rainfall amounts for the 24 hours ending at 7am PDT show more than two inches have already fallen. There are reports from reliable sources that roads are already washed out and that people are stranded in isolated parts of the desert.  Below is a high-resolution computer model's rainfall forecast from 5am PDT to 11pm PDT Sunday. More than a foot of additional rain is forecast to fall. This will lead to catastrophic flooding.  Here is a map of current watc
Read more

Update on Tornado and Wind Potential; 12 Noon PDT

By -
Image
There was at least one tornado and at least one funnel cloud yesterday.  --- original forecast --- Hilary (the swirly symbol) continues to move NNW paralleling the coast of Baja California, Mexico. The area outlined in red has a significant risk of tornadoe s the rest of the afternoon.  Below is a list of peak wind gusts so far.  Peak winds may increase farther north as the afternoon progresses.  Addition at 12 noon PDT: Sure enough, winds have increased.  Note: If you are in the San Diego area, I recommend not  traveling east on I-8. Heavy rains may cause flash flooding that will involve the highway. 
Read more