SkyGod

The impact of the economy on our careers…

With foreclosures up, banks failing and credit markets drying up, what will the impact be on our careers in the near future?

People buying less new cars causing even GM to be teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.

Boeing’s recent strike, slowing down the delivery of many aircraft to its vendors, AA being one of them.

The dollar is far lower in value than it has been in years! International travel probably only a good deal for European Travelers seeking a good deal on a vacation package in the USA.

I don’t mean to sound so negative, but what will the impact be on our careers?

Will people travel less? Will businesses cut their travel budgets for their company?

I’m hopeful things turn around!

Even more hopeful people hurt by this economy downturn, continues to travel and businesses continue to fund travel budgets for their executives.

Will the low cost carriers see an increase in their market share? Will first class be a part of the past?

We’re in for a ride as this economy continues to seek stability.

finis72

This industry has weathered lot's of storms and it will weather this storm.More changes are coming but air travel is part of the economic engine that powers the world economy.We as unions need to be very cognizant and not let this downturn further errode our careers by agreeing to changes that could be disatorous to us.Cabotage,un-safe skeds etc.

SkyGod

finis...

I couldn't agree more!

I posted the above to generate discussion about our futures, but also the focus management will bring to the bargaining table.

Will they attempt to play on our emotions as they dangle the threat of our futures before our very eye's?

For me, the dollar being valued far less than it was in past, is my reason for demanding more. Every excuse they offer up as to why we should be paid less, or fly more hours to make more money, is the very same argument I would place before them, I need to fly less, for more dollars.

In the meantime, perhaps salary/bonus CAPS for execs should be considered tied to negotiated labor contracts. I'm sick of seeing company CEO's and top "inner circle" managers pilfering the corporations they work for, with no accountability to the employees that are in the trenches!

DYNASTY HVY

Compared to other so called storms, this upcoming one will be one of a magnitude that we have never seen and will bring about changes that will forever change the way we do things /
Brother you aint seen nothing yet !

mccube5

This is something I've given a great deal of thought to. Mgmt. compensation should be somehow coorelated to the average salary of ALL employees. From there they should receive a percentage above what that number is.

The argument is always made by pro-mgmt folk that if we cap what they can make then we will not be able to attract the most intelligent and talented people. I'm gonna go ahead and call bluff. Just like there is someone lined up to take our jobs as pilots and do it for cheaper, i think we would find the same is the case for mgmt.

Once we can bring their compensation in line with everyone else in the company there will be incentive for fair bargaining, something that we have completely lacked for god knows how long.

ClipperJet

Most likely, the drop in international travel couple with the lack of financing will kill of the legacy carrier with the weakest balance sheet/most dependance on intl travel.

Who that actually is, is debateable.

With the bailout mania, you'll see a race to get "too big to fail." Think mergers. DAL-NW is probably already there. AA-BA is too, maybe. This means CO-UAL-LCC will merge with someone. The little guys will start to consoldate too. To many combinations to list.

Last, with the bailouts comes re-regulation.

de727ups

The good news is the price of oil going down. Also, I jumpseat a lot on Horizon/Alaska and their loads seem to be very good. At least the flights I'm on. I don't see a lot of people saying, "I'm not gonna fly", in spite of the rise in fares and fees. Flying is often still the best choice.

stoki

Maybe to get a good rough idea, we should take a look at how transportation suffered/fared during the "Great Depression". Sure times were way different back then. But cars existed, so did trucks, and so did I am sure buses, as well as trains, as well as ships. Don't know where to find that data though.

River6

With fuel prices up, the number traveling pax down, with goverment fines, and now more govemerment intervention the effect on our careers is going to be destructive, no hiring, or min hiring, no new aircraft, which means no growth, no growth, means no payraises not even COLA. So for guys trying to get hired at the majors, it's going to be a long wait and forguys who are already there you had better mentally prepare yourself to be pulling the gear up for old "Grumpy" for better than half your career. Bring in the fact that your going to soon have the goverment start taxing "so called big business." Major airlines are going to suffer more expenses. You now have the goverment fining airlines 10million dollars in Southwest case, and 7 million in Americans case with more fines on other carriers to come. This all in a time when the airline industry is suffering it's worst losses in it's history. I hope I'm wrong but, I'm afraid it's going to get ugly. I look for us to lose at least a couple more airlines this coming year due to bankruptcy. Food for thought!