Cancelled Airline Flights
It seems that many airlines are having trouble these days. My In-laws were booked to go to Hawaii on Aloha and found themselves scrambling to get new flights. Then the latest was the grounding by the FAA of a large number of commercial aircraft because of an emergency airworthiness directive (AD). As annoying as this may have been for some passengers, it is actually a good thing to ensure that the fleet is safe to fly. I myself have been grounded by an AD until I could get the proper inspection or repair. Some of the ADs do seem silly, but the FAA can't and shouldn't take chances with the flying public.
I keep waiting for the cost of airline tickets to go up, not just a little but a lot. The airlines seem to compete themselves right out of business. Thirty or more years ago, middle class people would have to scrimp and save before booking a trip to Hawaii, or Europe, or even Las Vegas. And when you travelled like that you planned to stay a while to make the most of those dollars used just to get there. It was such a big deal to take a trip, and it felt like a great, hard earned luxury. More recently people have thought nothing of flying across country for the weekend and then back again, even on a regular basis. I recognize that this represents more commerce and some economic benefit, but still it seems that something has been lost.
Comments
Tom,
Full disclosure, I was a flight engineer on the 727 at AA several years ago. You're absolutely right that safety is always first. Unfortunately the fiasco last week has more to do with the FAA trying to prove they aren't actually too cozy with the airlines and that they can be tough on safety. Typical kneejerk reaction that I'm all too familiar with from my former life as a Marine Aviator. Check out this article in the WSJ http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB120787056112706437-lMyQjAxMDI4MDE3MTgxNzEwWj.html The FAA could have easily given AA another 30 days to comply with the AD and safety would not have compromised. I would stake my life and everything I own on that. Unfortunately, FAA posturing trumped common sense and left hundreds of thousands passengers stranded.
The airlines are in a really tough position economically because the general public is just not willing to pay the true cost of an airline ticket. Raise prices too much and the leisure traveler will just stay home or drive instead. I truly feel sad for the people that have their careers tied to one of the legacy carriers.
Posted by: Sean | April 15, 2008 10:33 AM