Have you been flying lately? Say, in the last few years? During and after the Pandemic? Shortly after the beginning of March 2020(a LONG time ago), airlines suffered a dearth of passenger traffic as restrictions and closures of countries kept travelers home around the world. Crews were furloughed, mechanics were laid off, admin staff retired or went into another line of work. CEO's went to Washington, asking for: you guessed it: Corporate Welfare, again. In what has become a nasty economic reality, when these public companies( stockholders w/ promises/shares) have financial setbacks, their first and final move is to run to Congress and plead for bailouts funds or- no more company, no more industry, ie. disaster for America. Now, one would then expect these same airlines, after receiving funds would be humble, and respect the taxpayers who provided said funds.
No, that doesn't happen. The airlines immediately forget this bailout episode and go back to business-AS USUAL. Meaning: the seat-fillers will pay and play by OUR rules, not theirs, not Congress', only ours. My points here were triggered by the late report from United Airlines concerning an in-air incident in Hawaii on December 18, 2022 when a United flight after take off in Maui attained an altitude of 2200' and then went into a steep dive toward the Pacific Ocean. It miraculously avoided disaster by pulling up at 800'. That's correct: 800' feet. Not quite 3 football fields. Not very far above the waves; not very far from impact; not very far from the headlines; not very far from Federal Aviation Authority investigation.
Cover up? Not exactly, but try to find out the details. How did this event happen? What did the pilots do wrong or not do at all? Try to find information, any information. Impossible. United Airlines wants everybody to forget, and passengers and future passengers to forget most of all. It all points to the monopolistic business of the airlines today, especially in the USA. Passengers are insulted every time they choose to buy a ticket. It's a gamble: how much does one Finally pay? Guess. What fees will one be charged for: aisle seat, suitcase(s), extra leg room, business class, first class, cabin class, refundable ticket, return flight, and how many stops enroute. Oh, and timing of connections, always challenging. Flying through Newark, NJ? Ha, get ready for a nightmare. Then, the new modern era insult: the unannounced cancellation of your flight. Lovely.
The airlines face no penalty for cancelling your paid-for flight. They want only FULL flights, which equals a 100% profit above the breakeven point of filled seats. Lovely. Now one has to rearrange everything. This happens more and more in America. Not in Europe: they have Real rules that keep airlines from running roughshod over the recognized rights of passengers agreed to by the commercial carriers. Not so, in the US. Hmmmmm. Can new Cabinet Secretary Pete Buttegieg do anything? Doubt it; but lets give the kid a chance, say another month?
Good luck, Pete. Look out for wayward lobbyists dancing around 14th St, NW.
Have a nice flight.
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