http://money.cnn.com/2007/07/12/news...ce=yahoo_quote

Good read IMHO.

 

It is a good read. You know what the sad part is? I read a similar article in 1989 (minus the 911 part). At that time I thought it couldn't get much worse before they would re-regulate the industry. I'm still waiting...

 

They need to fix it fast or it we will just be talking again about this in 2018

 

Hey,

Very good read indeed. My question is as a newbie and for the old timers in this forum, what are the tools available to make it right? Does re-regulation going to solve it, and if so HOW?

What could the airlines do if they want the loads to remain the same?

I am the first one to agree that there's absolutely no need for 4 320s to takeoff within 20-30 minutes of each other for a transcont when a single delay causes them all to leave at the same time. Put a 47.... or even a 67 instead offer more seats, charge more and go back in time. Question is, when and WHY did we decide that flying the masses is what's gonna keep us in business? Ofcourse there's the old argument of reducing capacity, increasing frequency and therefore increasing yield per seat mile - but realisticly while it might be working in terms of yield mgmt it screws every other aspect. We burn more fuel, we fly the masses for nothing and when one little thing goes wrong the system crumbles. We also seem to operate on minimum fuel therefore not allowing for pay, and culture to remain the same as it used to be - driving more and more people away from the industry as a job place.

What do you guys think they can do???

Let's try to steer away from mgmt bonuses and such.... we all know that'll be the first step to stop this giant snow ball ..... let's try to think of steps number 2 and 3... what do you guys think?

-schone

 

Just wait till the user fees come along. There wont be many pilots in sight and cancellations will continue to soar. The airlines think they have such a problem now but they have no idea what's coming.

 

Good read. I loved that they quoted a guy named Monty Montgomery...

 

I love how they say they "majors" are having a hard time finding pilots.................are they serious????????, and "its expensive to train them" yeah well it always has been, and its the cost of doing bussiness, and isnt that why they pay us so low the first year.............................

 

They're talking about the regionals, not the majors (except United, which is claiming that their having problems due to a possible merger).

 

i don't think anyone on AIRLINE PILOT CENTRAL would disagree about this article. for once something we can all agree on.

 

I don't think the "old days" of glamour and fortune are going to come back any time soon, nor do I believe there is anything that can be done to do so. Comparing the airline experience of the the 1970's and 1980's, this is the observation I come up with.

Back then,
- People would actually dress halfway decent when they flew.
- Fuel was cheap and tickets were expensive.
- Commuters were just that - small feeds from small towns.
- Detroit to Chicago was operated by a DC-10.
- Chicago to Peoria was a 737.
- Pilots sucked up low wages for a short time.
- There was customer loyalty among the airlines.
- Passengers were skeptical of some new or unheard of airline.
- Conference calling and meetings via video were not very common.

Now,
- It's common to see a hippie in flip-flops and tank top in first class.
- Fuel is expensive and tickets are cheap.
- Small towns now have direct service to many points.
- Detroit to Chicago is operated by a DC-10 - a freighter, that is.
- Chicago to Peoria is now a regional jet.
- Pilots put up with low wages for a long time.
- No customer loyalty because customer service sucks!
- Passengers will fly anything that is cheap.
- Business travel is stil necessary, but not as much as it used to be.