The current state of the airline industry Options

[Hartmann]

Things are getting really ugly, really quick.

United has reduced capacity, is cutting staff, and is killing of their low-cost carrier TED.
US Airways has not fulfilled its order for two planes that could fly their new route to China, so they'll lose the route and they're reducing capacity.
The Delta/Northwest Merger isn't complete yet, so who knows the outcome.
Continental announced this morning that they are reducing capacity and cutting some staffing.
ExpressJet (who Continental employs to fly their little jets) is on the verge of Ch11.
Southwest has raised fares considerably.
JetBlue has cut a number of routes.
AA is nickel and diming customers to make up the costs.


yikes.

[Mommy]

1) Taxes are a necessity in order to build roads, have schools, subsidize health care, etc. I have no problem with paying taxes. I just wish our gov't would spend less money on bureaucratic bullshit.

2) Inept gov't? Umm... Yeah, I mean, our gov't (between state and federal taxes) is making almost $1.00 on the gallon, but is it really their fault that gas prices are so high. Plain and simple: No.

3) The airline industry will not fail. It's too important to our economy. All we are going to see is major mergers and small airlines going out of business. You're being over dramatic.

4) Airlines are doing everything in their power to not inflate ticket prices. In doing so, they are jacking up the cost of everything else. I think this is a dumb move, but I guess if you travel light and don't have any special needs, you come out on top. Still, I think increasing ticket prices is better than having to pay so much more for an extra bag. Most people travel with 2 bags.

5) Of course the consumer is going to have to pay... we are the ones using the products. That's a stupid thing to say.

Honestly, I guess what I am saying is that I don't appreciate your semi-anarchist comment. I think it's motivated by pure irritation and there is no logic behind it at all. Not to be rude, I'm just saying...

[Oasis]

1) Taxes are a necessity in order to build roads, have schools, subsidize health care, etc. I have no problem with paying taxes. I just wish our gov't would spend less money on bureaucratic bullshit.

2) Inept gov't? Umm... Yeah, I mean, our gov't (between state and federal taxes) is making almost $1.00 on the gallon, but is it really their fault that gas prices are so high. Plain and simple: No.

3) The airline industry will not fail. It's too important to our economy. All we are going to see is major mergers and small airlines going out of business. You're being over dramatic.

4) Airlines are doing everything in their power to not inflate ticket prices. In doing so, they are jacking up the cost of everything else. I think this is a dumb move, but I guess if you travel light and don't have any special needs, you come out on top. Still, I think increasing ticket prices is better than having to pay so much more for an extra bag. Most people travel with 2 bags.

5) Of course the consumer is going to have to pay... we are the ones using the products. That's a stupid thing to say.

Honestly, I guess what I am saying is that I don't appreciate your semi-anarchist comment. I think it's motivated by pure irritation and there is no logic behind it at all. Not to be rude, I'm just saying...

Anarchist? Gimme a fucking break. I'm not Austin. Try realistic.

Oh, and the airlines are jacking up the ticket prices. You were joking, right?

[Mommy]

Anarchist? Gimme a fucking break. I'm not Austin. Try realistic.

Oh, and the airlines are jacking up the ticket prices. You were joking, right?

Do you ever fly? Prices are going up, but not at the rate you would think with how high gas prices are. They are compensating in other areas to keep prices competitive to lure customers.

Yeah, saying you aren't gonna/don't want to pay taxes is anarchist IMO. Also, blaming the gov't for every single thing that goes wrong is too. Consumers just need to wait out this rough time. I think gas prices are gonna fall soon, but that's just my prediction. I don't see them going below $2.87 but I do think we could see $2.99 prices again soon... Give it 3 months.