Plane Answers: The Frontline episode regional airlines don't want you to see

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I have been in the airline industry at a "legacy carrier" since 1979. Roger Cohen is absolutely bending the truth. It is his job. He is a lobbyist for the regional airline industry. His lies combined with the regional airline business plan of "get the equipment to where it is scheduled to be," has been and will continue to be life threatening. A big part of the responsibility for this situation as well as other circumstances facing all airlines today rests with the consumer. A flying passenger today feels entitled to fly the furthest at the rock bottom cost, even if it means that airline will loose money flying them. It escapes me that these passengers are will to roll the dice with their lives the way they do. Airplanes fly on a calculation of WEIGHT. The cost structure of flying in America today radically changed 15 years ago from labor being the highest cost to fuel being the number one driving force in expenditures for all other areas of running an airline. Maintenance, customer service, age of aircraft, number of planes in the limited airspace. American consumers agree with and accept these conditions today and are willing to take the risk of life and limb to save $20.00 on their ticket. as recently as 2-3 years ago how many passengers proudly exclaimed "I over packed soooo much when I went to ________ last week?" Well you didnt pay for that extra weight being carried on the plane in the price of your ticket. It cost the airline employee in their pay, it cost the mechanic in the quality of the part he/she was replacing on that engine. These airplanes are NOT a city buss or mass transit train. Passengers do not have an undeniable right to fly in America at a cost below a safe level for the airlines to operate safely, even if the flying public is willing to accept that additional risk.

2-10-2010 @ 7:24AM

Master Shake said...

Flymuscle - the problem is the greed of American aviation corporations. The airlines of other nations charge reasonable fares and have excellent service. When you fly an airline based in the United States these days, you get deplorable service - and often one of the highest fares in the sky. Why? Because the executives make millions of dollars a year, while the crew makes peanuts.

2-10-2010 @ 12:17PM

DJ said...

Well Judy apparently - you don't know what you are talking about. AirTran is outsourcing to SkyWest. The problem with this documentary is that it does not have an equal comparison to the "main line." They have the same problems. Remember they are the ones buying out the contract labor. FIrts Officers may mkae 21,000 the first year. However the know what they are getting into for that first year. 21,000$ is to offset the expense that goes into the extensive training. After the 1st year their salary then jumpe to around 38,000!

2-10-2010 @ 1:43PM

Jen said...

Don't passengers usually pay for extra luggage nowadays so the airlines can keep up with costs? How does it costs their employees to handle the passengers bags?

2-13-2010 @ 9:00PM

Sam W said...

"After the 1st year their salary then jumpe to around 38,000!" I live in a small midwest town, $38k is almost enough to live comfortably here, key word is Almost. As a computer sys admin that would be a $16k/year pay CUT. And as someone who has thought strongly about a career change to become a pilot the BS they have to go through early on and the amazingly low wages has prevented me from looking into this career change. I have been told by more then a few people I make a great pilot with natural stick and rudder skills, yet here I am flying for fun because of antiquated pay practices at the low levels.

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