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IP: Airline security and bailouts
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 13:35:11 -0400
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 10:56:56 -0600 (MDT) From: Deb Olson <deb () laramietravel com> To: farber () linc cis upenn edu Subject: Airline security and bailouts Mr. Farber: A few things we should consider before we conclude that the airlines need a government bailout at taxpayer expense. 1. According to an NPR report this morning, the airlines have fought the FAA tooth and nail, resisting the implementation of more stringent security measures after the 1988 Pan Am bombing. Why? Because those measures were "too expensive." 2. Check out the web site http://www.aflcio.org/cgi-bin/aflcio.pl?tkr=&pg=2#UV?tkr=&pg=2 and visit the sites of a couple of airlines. The compensation levels of the CEOs of AMR (American) and Delta for the year 2000 are shockingly high. Consider how many of their employees they could keep on the payroll if only they weren't so greedy. 3. If we do give taxpayer money to the airlines to reward them for their negligence, how will the money be spent? Will it be used to keep the skies safe? If airport security is federalized, as government officials are now proposing, it won't be. It will merely replace the lost revenues and portfolio losses of the largest airlines' executives and directors. 4. If a bailout does occur, which companies will receive it? Will small airlines and regional carriers receive their fare share of relief money, so that we are not left with two giant gorillas: American and United? (Southwest was able to operate 95% of their flights last Sunday with a 97% on time factor, while United was still struggling with only half of their scheduled departures in the air on Monday.) And why bail out just the airlines? What about hotels, car rental agencies, tour operators, travel agents and other related businesses, all of whom are impacted financially by the tragic events last week?I make a living selling airline tickets and travel. There is no doubt that theeconomy of our country is threatened by a collapse of our air carriers. I amnot advocating that we deny all relief for a beleaguered industry, only that itbe designed to benefit the public at large, not the token few sitting at the top. I think it is appropriate that each of us send a quick letter to his or her representatives in Congress asking them not to line the pockets of only the largest corporations and campaign contributors. If there is a government bailout, it should aid all travel-related industries in recovering from last week's tragic events. Thanks, DEB OLSON Laramie Travel Center 210 So. 2nd Laramie, Wyoming 82070 307 745-7321/fax 307 745-9216 or 800 845-1683 deb.no-spam-please () laramietravel com www.laramietravel.com
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