The American Airline Stump: A Look Into the Dismal American Airliner Industry

No, I'm not talking just about American Airlines.  I'm talking about the entire industry itself.  It's sad that we, as a super power in the world, can't compete with other big airliners around the world.  Our seats are dirty, the flight attendants can help out if they had a good day, and ticket prices seem to be going up steadily without any big changes throughout the industry.  So, what the hell America?!  Why are standards for the passengers around the world having to put up with these decreasing standards day in and day out?  Well, here's the low down on what I think is going on.  Pay attention, you might learn something :D

A little over a year ago, salon.com put out an article about how various airlines are stacking up to themselves.  And, if you want to be my best friend, here's the article for you to read:

http://www.salon.com/technology/ask_the_pilot/2010/05/06/worlds_biggest_best_worst_airlines.

One fact that cannot be ignored is how much American airliners are making.  On their site, they listed the top grossing airlines based on comparing profit and fleet size.  Here are the top five:

1. Qantas
2. Lufthansa
3. Turkish Airlines
4. Singapore Airlines
5. LAN (Chile, Peru, Ecuador)

If you live in the Los Angeles area, this may help to explain the bizarre new Turkish Airline ad's with none other than Kobe Brynt at the helm.

Well, I guess that's how the economy works these days.  Speaking of which, how the hell did these airlines make the top five and none of ours?!  Not that any of these airlines don't deserve to be at the top, but the only airline that comes close is Southwest at No. 8.  Now, do you think it's because of the lavish interiors and enticing look that Southwest possesses the reason it banks?  Hell no!  It's because:

1. They have exceptional customer service
2. Relatively cheap

Associated Press

Southwest fits right into the narrow margin that is the modern American economy.  So, why doesn't everyone follow their example?  Well, that's the issue, because, as an example, if you search kayak.com for flights you'll find all of the legacy careers and some smaller ones at top of the list for cheapest airfare.  So, what's the problem?  In a nutshell:

1. American airliners are TOO big to hold themselves up in our present economy.

Let's turn back the clock to the good old 1990's, where pilots were getting paid six figures and flying was a much more logical way to go cross country than to drive hours and hours on end to get to, let say, grandma's house... or girlfriend's house... or whatever kind of house you like to visit on holidays...  American airliners were at the top of their game and business was great.  Why, you ask.  Two reasons.

1. Everyone had good paying jobs
2. Gas was incredibly low

Now, what's different these days?  Oh, that's right...

1. Unemployment is high and it's nearly impossible to find jobs
2. Good God... gas is expensive

This is why you see the Delta/Northwest and United/Continental merges in recent history.  These poor bastards can't hold their own.  And, especially for the legacy careers, they have to fly domestic routes in one of the biggest countries in the world along with the world itself.  The amount of planes, employees, and revenue needed is staggering.  Our good economic high was killed by the greatest buzz kill of all time: the recession.  This is not to exclude 9/11 and terrorist threats from the equation, but after these horrific events, we still have airlines around the world with great products doing very well for themselves.

Associated Press

So, what's the solution?  Where do we go from here?  To be honest, I'm not entirely sure.  Downsizing is a logical approach, but with an industry of employees who posses a passion for their jobs I would never consider this as a possibility.  What in the end will save it, along with the American economy itself, is a change towards buying better products logically within our means , creating healthy competition between companies (which, frankly, is flippin' insane to ask for).  Otherwise, we will find ourselves swimming in the same (and progressively worse) shit for many years to come.  In the end, keep wise and do your best, as it results in progressive change... even for the American airline industry.