[Natural Law]

All government aid should be titled "Union Bailouts" since non-union airlines are doing OK.

[Arkie2]

SouthWest is unionized. They're doing OK. AirTran is unionized. They're doing OK. The airline I work for is unionized. We're doing very well thank you.

[safisoft]

All government aid should be titled "Union Bailouts" since non-union airlines are doing OK.

An oft repeated myth here on FreeRepublic. Southwest is more unionized then Delta. The problem is not unions as much as it is inflexibility, and a manufacturing mindset.

Also, airlines that do well have slow and steady growth. Airlines are like no other industry in this regard. If you stagnate, you are toast. If you grow too fast, you cannot sustain it. Slow and steady.

Airlines are the biggest Ponzi scheme ever devised.

[AmericanDave]

All we ask for in the airline buisiness is a LEVEL playingfield. Starup carriers that get FREE airplanes from Airbus for the first 5 years drive prices below sustainable wages. Then the government throws in NEW fees post 911, that otherwise would have seen airlines recovering. My airline, Continental; was profitable PRIOR to 911 and would have been profitable AFTER 911 without the new government imposed fees!We did not take a bailout loan. The employees voted a paycut to help the airline, which means the new Government Security fees are in effect,being paid for by the employees!