FLowpayFO

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles...-combined.html

FAA seeks to fine Continental and American Eagle a combined $580,000
By Lori Ranson


FAA is proposing to fine Continental Airlines $250,000 and American Eagle Airlines $330,000 for operating aircraft not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.

The agency alleges Continental operated two Boeing 737-900ERs on 73 flights after mechanics incorrectly installed main landing gear and wheel-tire assemblies.

"The manuals contains specific instructions to mechanics not to use wheel-tire assemblies intended for the Boeing 737-700, -800 and -900 on the heavier 737-900ER," FAA states.

Additionally, FAA points out the manuals warn using those incorrect assemblies on the heavier version "might lead to damage to the aircraft or injury to people working on and around the aircraft".

The $330,000 proposed fine against American Eagle is based on FAA's determination that an Embraer ERJ-135 jet operated 12 revenue flights with damaged seats.

FAA states carrier mechanics failed to note broken passenger seats and armrests on two aircraft that would not raise and stow in the upright and locked positions after takeoff and landing. The agency also states it discovered damaged center arm rests that failed to stow in the upright and locked positions.

FAA states one of the ERJs was used on a dozen passenger revenue flights between inspection and eventual repair.

Zapata

Good. The revenue lost from the extension of the Bush tax-cuts for the wealthy needs to be made up for somehow.

Red Forman

Or the 40 plus percent of Americans that pay no taxes at all need to start. Call me crazy, but that would generate more revenue than if the Bush tax cuts would have went away.

ehaeckercfi

Ibtl........

lolwut

So CO gets a $250k fine for 73 flights with incorrect tire assemblies, whereas AE gets a $330k fine for 12 flights with inop seat reclines?

This seems a little backwards and out of wack.

pause

Not true...
If a person makes below a certain amount they get all the taxes returned in their tax return. I don't know the exact amount but it is surprisingly high.

Oberon

You know not what you speak.

The lowest marginal tax rate is 10% for single people earning less than $8,375 and married couples making less than $16,750 in 2010.

DeadHead

2011 Tax Rate Schedules: Marginal Ordinary Income Tax Rates for 2011

Bit of a drift here, but the majority of people would have seen a tax increase had the Bush Tax cuts expired:

Until the Tax Relief Act was passed, the tax rates for 2011 were scheduled to change as follows:
the 10% rate would have been collapsed into the 15% rate;
the 25% rate would have become 28%
the 28% rate would have become 31%
the 33% rate would have become 36%
the 35% rate would have become 39.6%
These tax rate changes will take effect beginning in 2013 absent further legislation.

Point of interest here is that the two lowest income brackets would have been combined, effectively increasing taxes to the lowest income earners.
So essentially people making less that $8,375/year would have seen increase in there marginal tax rate of 10% up to 15%.

Personally, I don't think the lowest income earners get away with paying little to no taxes. It may just be that their write-offs/deductions/tax credits bring their federal tax obligations to a minimal level.
It's legal and legit, so you'll get no complaint from me.
My problem is with the people who enjoy an over-reliance on tax-financed social services/assistance. Individuals who collect unemployment while getting paid under the table while carrying no medical insurance and just deciding to mossy into the emergency room only to fit the bill. These individuals are a 10 fold strain on the economy in contrast to the single parent making less that $10k a year trying to support his/her family.

U.S. Politics prides itself on class warfare, fighting amongst ourselves tends to keep us preoccupied and distracted.

Onfinal

Expand your mind!

That circa 100-110% tax refund of the lowest wage earners are simply a subsidy to major corporations.

That first year FO that qualifies for food stamps, the government is making sure his family eats, so that his employer and employer's investors are assured a good return on their money....paid for by the American people (and China) of course!

Onfinal

Red Forman

My figure includes all the people that either work for themselves or get paid under the table and avoid paying taxes all together. When the top 10% of income earners in this country are footing 70% of the tax bill and over 40% pay no taxes at all, there is something seriously wrong. I don't care if you make minimum wage or $1,000 an hour, you should be paying your fair share of taxes. There also needs to be much harsher punishment for the people who avoid paying taxes.