Gawain 0 #1 December 21, 2008 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122973275061123003.html?mod=rss_opinion_main This guy makes some very strong points. So many talk about failing to understand history, thus doomed to repeat it. This puts a new swing on things. President-elect Obama's "works" program is a non-starter. We don't have 30% unemployment. We have 6.5% (+/-)...that does not justify hundreds-of-billions more in borrowed money to be spent. Think hard about this: government over-regulation has never produced a positive economic result that I can see -- Telecom: Federal regulations being loosened allowed for far more competition, new companies, new products. Were there casualties? Yep. Is the industry suffering? The equipment manufacturers are leaner now, the carriers (save Sprint) are doing quite well. Airlines: Despite their bumps over the past 8 years, they have flourished since the deregulation. Automotive: Growing despite increased government regulation on standards they have no business imposing without knowing the consequence. Increased regulation over the past 15 years has caused a decrease in overall fuel economy across all line-ups. Increased safety requirements, while effective, have driven costs up, increased costs for repair. Now, I'm not advocating an absolute free-for-all in terms of regulation, but I am saying the federal government is overstepping its grounds in domestic commerce.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,649 #2 December 21, 2008 Quote Airlines: Despite their bumps over the past 8 years, they have flourished since the deregulation. . Sure!... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #3 December 21, 2008 Quote Quote Airlines: Despite their bumps over the past 8 years, they have flourished since the deregulation. Sure! Yeah, Boeing and EADS have order books stretching 15 years...the industry is in shambles...So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,649 #4 December 21, 2008 Quote Quote Quote Airlines: Despite their bumps over the past 8 years, they have flourished since the deregulation. Sure! Yeah, Boeing and EADS have order books stretching 15 years...the industry is in shambles... Boeing is an airline? When did that happen? These WERE airlines: TWA PanAm Eastern Midway Aloha ATA Skybus Maxjet Eos Champion Yep, the airline business is flourishing.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #5 December 21, 2008 Quote Quote Quote Quote Airlines: Despite their bumps over the past 8 years, they have flourished since the deregulation. Sure! Yeah, Boeing and EADS have order books stretching 15 years...the industry is in shambles... Boeing is an airline? When did that happen? These WERE airlines: TWA PanAm Eastern Midway Aloha ATA Skybus Maxjet Eos Champion Yep, the airline business is flourishing. TWA was bought. PanAm is private charter now. Eastern's routes were bought....you left out Hooters The airline industry compared to 20 years, or 30 years ago when regs were lifted is doing just fine. The legacy carriers are seeing the writing on the wall to catch up with jetBlue and SW. Have you been to an airport lately? Despite higher fares and fees, in some cases fewer flights, people are still flying...even the Chapter 11 carriers... Yep, these "sacred cows" are just fine.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #6 December 22, 2008 SWA and JetBlue don't fly internationally. They do what they do very well. JB may still be benefitting from its youth. There's hardly a question that the airlines are an unhealthy business sector. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #7 December 22, 2008 QuoteThere's hardly a question that the airlines are an unhealthy business sector. I don't fully agree with that assessment. The airlines operate on thin margins for sure, but they managed this recent spike in fuel prices, and took a bigger hit in fuel costs than did the consumer side. Those extra fees didn't make up for the hyper increase in the cost for Jet A.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #8 December 22, 2008 Eastern was an airline? Want to talk about their lovely union experience? Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
