Posted on 09/28/2002 9:27:20 AM PDT by forest
There was big news from the airline industry last week. Apparently, they want Americans to pay for the "convenience" of flying. Unfortunately, the major Airlines want all Americans to pay them for flying their aircraft, whether or not we ever even use their services.
In an unprecedented corporate group-beg, the poor-mouthing airline executives asked Congress for financial help again last Tuesday. They whine that security costs imposed after last year's terrorist attacks are hampering their financial recovery.
Just a year ago, Congress approved a $15 billion aid package for the airline industry. That tab equates to about $132.00 per American taxpayer. Nevertheless, this time around airline executives asked the House Aviation subcommittee to consider a package that includes tax relief, reimbursement for security costs and an extension of the terrorism insurance policies issued by the government after the Sept. 11 attacks. Because, as Leo Mullin, chief executive of Delta Air Lines said, about 40 percent of the airline industry's expected $7-billion in losses this year could be attributed to security costs. And, that doesn't even count the passengers who won't fly because of security hassles, he said.
Okay, but if this scam works for private corporations, it damn well better also work for the American citizen, too. So, let's make our own little list of government charges we want reimbursed.
For instance, if driving on the highway for us is a "privilege" (as many socialists and authoritarian right- wingers in government say), then so is flying. If Delta is getting paid for ridiculous government regulations costing them for extra equipment, wasted time and fuel, we should, too. All American automobile owners should also be reimbursed for government mandated safety features. And, anytime we are stopped at one of those idiotic and totally unconstitutional traffic road blocks for no discernible reason, we most definitely deserve a check to pay for our time and fuel wasted.
The House Aviation subcommittee members said they were probably willing to give the airlines some temporary help again. But some lawmakers hinted that the industry needs to fix problems they brought upon themselves. "The carriers seem unable to muster the discipline to reasonably price their product," said Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.).
Air carriers say they lost between $6.8 billion and $7 billion this year due to lower passenger volume and higher fuel and security costs.
That might be true. But, federal regulations are responsible for doubling the price of my car. Who reimburses me? What am I, chopped liver over here?
The airlines also say that they hope Congress will lower the amount they're required to repay the government for the costs of screening passengers and baggage. Problem is, this is a totally spurious argument put forth only for public argument. Because, the cost of doing business is already deductible from income tax. And, if they are not paying income tax, they are not pulling their own weight anyway. So, who needs them.
Actually, just a quick look at the wage structure of some of these people in airline management tells us the airline corporations must be making a whole lot of money. Else, why would they pay management so much? Not to lose money, we hope.
Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), chairman of the House aviation subcommittee, agreed that security costs pose a problem for airlines. Mica said he's against giving large bailouts to the airlines, but Congress might consider helping them in some ways. "This country is extremely dependent on the aviation industry," he said. "If it goes down the tubes, we're in big trouble."
Yeah, especially you important frequent flyers; huh Mr. Representative?
Another fact is, if the federal government does not back off with the automobile regulations, no one is going to be able to afford a new car anymore. And the automobile industry is worth a whole lot more to the economy of this country than the aircraft industry.
The airline industry is crying because liability insurance has risen for some airlines from several million dollars annually to hundreds of millions annually. Mica wants the government to extend the war-risk insurance policies it issued after Sept. 11.
Sure. That's a very good idea. But, two can play that game. Get us a break on auto insurance, too! I have had no tickets or accidents for 25 years, yet they still rip me off for a grand a pop. That's clearly highway robbery. Literally! Fix that for us, too, Mica.
Then, these poor-mouthing millionaire airline executives say they expect a "temporary suspension of taxes and fees," such as the jet fuel tax.
Good again. So do I. Gasoline costs way too much today. First, roll back some of those obnoxious taxes. Second, it's not my fault government listens to the eco-whackos and refuses to drill for the oil we have readily available in places like Alaska and in the ocean off the East and West coasts. All governments need to do to get that oil in an environmentally friendly manner is to inform the corporations doing the drilling that their liability for any spills is unlimited. They'll get responsible real quick that way.
It is the airlines that are most protesting armed pilots in the cockpit. For that reason, it is the airlines that should be completely responsible for all harm to passengers by terrorists. They should also be held directly responsible for the unreasonable antics of these so called "sky marshals." After all, it is the airlines selling a private service, not government. Which means, it is the airlines that are responsible for guaranteeing the safety of all passengers using their service. There is no reason taxpayers should be required to foot that bill. Besides, that is a tax-deductible cost of doing business in today's market.
Anyway, there is no reason for us to put billion dollar corporations on our welfare rolls when the American people are having many of the very same problems with government regulations Which means, whatever tax or safety equipment rebates these private corporations get must also be extended, in kind, to all American citizens equally. The best way to do that would be to repeal dozens of those unconstitutional laws, rules and regulations and let the free market and common law rule -- as was intended.
But if the airlines get a break, so do the auto owners. If the federal government does not back off with the automobile regulations, no one is going to be able to afford a new car anymore. And the automobile industry is worth a whole lot more to the economy of this country than the aircraft industry.
Oil is abundant in the US. Let's drill here.
People deserve whatever break corporate welfare provides. The best way to do that would be to repeal dozens of those unconstitutional laws, rules and regulations and let the free market and common law rule -- as was intended.
What are you smoking? Would you rather be paying five times as much as it costs now? Would you rather that Southwest and Jet Blue not exist?
The fact is that air travel is many times cheaper than it was at the time of deregulation.
What is happening here is standard business: The market has changed. Southwest and others saw it coming and have the right structure in place to prosper. American, United et. al. are living in the past. Rather than try to compete, they are whining to the government.
By the way, what do you mean it doesn't work? I can walk to the airport tomorrow and fly almost anywhere in the country for $250 bucks. Yeah, it is slightly more expensive and slightly more time consuming then it was a year and a half ago. So what. Are you really saying that it would be better if the service was all firt class like it was in the 50's and it would cost my family $6,000 bucks or so if I wanted to go and see my mother rather than the 8-900 or so that it would cost now?
Seconded. Sept. 11 and the new security madness didn't help, but fundamentally the airlines are in trouble becuase they treat passengers as an inconvenience.
You don't need subsidies. Get rid of the silly ticket restrictions, allow unused tickets to trade freely on a secondary market, start treating people as though they were actually people, and we'll fly again.
Maybe these air-whiners should stop by their nearest junior college and take a Business 101 course where they'll be taught:Them and the damned RIAA. Two completely different industries that have the same problem. Change or die. I'm SICK of guvament throwing my money around like this.
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