Originally Posted by
Rebuilt
Hilltopper,
There is the answer. James has the best written synopsis of the operation I have seen. I observed the exact same conditions several decades ago. Apparently nothing has changed. Stupidity (or greed) abounds at the higher management levels when it comes to the idea of running an airline that moves people, bags, and freight in a manner that is agreeable to all.
To management, the airline will be a better place when they can get rid of those pesky employees. Moving passenger and their stuff is an annoyance that must be barely tolerated and accommodated.
You are right. It is an embarrassment because it is preventable or at least should be managed better than it has been.
Airline management has determined that it is less expensive to suffer these occasional meltdowns than it is to create and staff an operation that can handle most of these crises. There is some logic in the premise that you can't afford perfection...the bathtub curve and all... The problem occurs when bean counters take the premise too far.