To: The United States House of Representatives and The United States Senate
Re-Regulate the Airlines
Are you often shocked when you buy a great headline airfare and rush off to book up tickets, only to be stung with a rack of compulsory taxes, fees and surcharges, almost doubling your ticket? Are you fed up with terrible customer service, being singled-out by a disgruntled employee, or having them lose your bags, even tickets? Don't you wonder how 'Domestic Carrier A' who frequently cries financial trouble, is not only able to receive multiple federal bail-outs, but is also able to buy OTHER carriers?
Do you ever wonder if your travel safety is endangered by challenging working conditions for the employees? Are you a small travel business owner who has relied on your relationships to the airline industry, feel like your likelihood is being threatened by ineffective, clumsy, and more expensive airline industry services?
Something must be done to regulate the seemingly out-of-control airline industry. Demand that the government hold the airline industry accountable for not only its management, but finances as well. Demand better services, initial disclosure of ancillary fees, and regulation of new fees.
Do you ever wonder if your travel safety is endangered by challenging working conditions for the employees? Are you a small travel business owner who has relied on your relationships to the airline industry, feel like your likelihood is being threatened by ineffective, clumsy, and more expensive airline industry services?
Something must be done to regulate the seemingly out-of-control airline industry. Demand that the government hold the airline industry accountable for not only its management, but finances as well. Demand better services, initial disclosure of ancillary fees, and regulation of new fees.
Why is this important?
For anyone who travels either for work, vacation, or perhaps for a family emergency, the consistent gouging by the airline industry is more than disturbing. From charging $100 for a checked bag, to giving the airline attendants the ability to throw anyone off a flight for any perceived infraction. There are also the additional 'fees' tacked onto your ticket, such as charging extra if you want to sit next to your travel companion.
But re-regulation isn't just for consumers; it's also for employees. When several thousand feet in the air, on top of adequate pay, it should be mandatory for domestic flights, that pilot(s) are prohibited from working excessive extended hours or that everyone in the control tower is trained and well-rested. Otherwise, it threatens the general safety of everyone. There’s also the matter of domestic carriers’ finances, particularly in relation to competition. How are the airlines carriers, often claiming bankruptcy or severe deficits, which is frequently used to weaken the few remaining employee benefits and restructure finances, are consistently provided multiple federal bail-outs? Yet they still have the unimpeded ability to gobble up other airlines, leaving consumers with even fewer choices.
Given that our dismally-performing domestic carriers are being given the approval to take their methods to international carriers – such United forming a ‘partnership’ with Lufthansa, one can only assume that this dysfunctional business-model is becoming a global reality.
But re-regulation isn't just for consumers; it's also for employees. When several thousand feet in the air, on top of adequate pay, it should be mandatory for domestic flights, that pilot(s) are prohibited from working excessive extended hours or that everyone in the control tower is trained and well-rested. Otherwise, it threatens the general safety of everyone. There’s also the matter of domestic carriers’ finances, particularly in relation to competition. How are the airlines carriers, often claiming bankruptcy or severe deficits, which is frequently used to weaken the few remaining employee benefits and restructure finances, are consistently provided multiple federal bail-outs? Yet they still have the unimpeded ability to gobble up other airlines, leaving consumers with even fewer choices.
Given that our dismally-performing domestic carriers are being given the approval to take their methods to international carriers – such United forming a ‘partnership’ with Lufthansa, one can only assume that this dysfunctional business-model is becoming a global reality.