It’s becoming increasingly apparent to me that our airline system is broken.  Today it has been revealed that airline pilots are raising concerns about the minimum amount of fuel carried on board aircraft, with several incidents being filed with the NASA ASRS reporting system of arriving at a destination or an alternate airport with minimum fuel.

It seems that the cost cutting measures management is employing at their airlines is starting to spread into the margins of safety mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

This is serious business, folks!

There is a fine line between efficient operating practices and infringing on the safety of customers.  I’m all for airlines having the ability to make money.  As I’ve said before, it’s the beauty of the competitive environment stimulated by a free market.  However, when you cut costs in areas that directly influence safety, any freedom to make money should go out the window.

Many of us have lost sight of the fact that you can fly half way across the country, and back, in less than 10 hours for less than $300.  Does no one else out there think that is absurdly cheap?

You have to pay extra for pillows, blankets, drinks, meals, additional checked bags, aisle seats, exit row seats, direct flights, and of course first class service (which you would think would include all that other stuff free of charge, but doesn’t).

I’m OK with that.  Charge away.  But when you ask the flight crew to carry the absolute minimum amount of fuel as a way to cut costs (you see, the less fuel the lighter the airplane, the better fuel economy, the less operating expense) that’s flat out dangerous.

Unfortunately, the flying public is too naive to realize why the tickets are so cheap… even with jet fuel prices at all time highs…

Think about this next time you pay for that $99 fare on Southwest!

Tags: airlines

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