Does Swine flu from the USA not count as a serious illness?

Ah, yes. I remember the world shutting down over that one.

We are most likely going to have a “new normal” in the US airline industry. I never would have thought that I’d see regionals furloughing before the legacies. Will we come back under the previous model, or will the big 3 use this as an opportunity to change? The last time that they changed the model the regionals grew, while the legacies were reduced. Hopefully this time we reduce our dependence on the regionals and cover more at the parent companies.

THIS!! ^^^^. Now all you have to do is convince Corporate America to make a little less profit, that is our problem.

Unfortunately, it is difficult for many to comprehend the benefits of long-term diversification and stability, over short-term profits. We have a hard time playing the long-game in this country; something our Chinese counterparts do not.

That, in a nutshell, is our problem. Until we stop letting short term profits drive the bus, we are screwed.

Actually you don't.... mainly because there wasn't any social media to hype it up.

Very little to do with social media. A lot to do with virology.

It’s the same mentality of ours that’s led to the obesity epidemic (which is the real invisible enemy). Enjoy all the fast food you want. There will be time to lose weight and eat healthy later.

We are a reactive society and want instant gratification (ie cheap goods from China and high profits) without considering the long term effects. Hopefully we are changing.