So! Boeing has designed a new passenger aircraft. They have received multibillion dollar orders for it. In order to maximize profits, they tied fulfillment of the contract at their Everett, Washington facility to union concessions. When they were rebuffed, they decided to move construction to another state. They did this with their 787 model, moving most of the production to non-union North Carolina. Some of these planes caught fire and the fleet was grounded for months. What is it they say about those who refuse to learn from history?
In April, when the first sequester cuts took effect, flights were delayed hours on end because a reduction in the staff of air traffic controllers increased the risk of flying. I spent several hours at an airport bar waiting for my flight. Later that week, the FAA was allowed to move funds around to avert the effects of the sequester. People don't want their flights delayed. I'm guessing they also want them to be safe.
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Let's now do a thought experiment. A few years ago, their was an airline touting the fact that they had the youngest fleet in terms of the age of the planes- not the pilots. The age of the planes was a safety feature. Now imagine that an airline will run this commercial again.
You like flying on new planes. They have better amenities, tv's, cellphone and wifi. They have the new plane smell. Let's say that you are a Republican. These new planes are built in non-union plants. You like that, too. Cheaper, non-union labor built your plane.
You are sitting in your seat. Your seatbelt is fastened. You are next in line for take-off. 50 tons of airplane is about to hurtle down the runway at several hundred miles per hour. Suddenly, I'm thinking, maybe you don't want to be sitting in the avionic equivalent of a Yugo.
I'm thinking that before I go on Priceline, or Orbitz, or Kayak, I need to let the airlines no that they can cut meal service. They can charge for extra luggage. I don't want them saving money on the price of the plane! If they're going to buy planes made with cheap labor, I'd rather walk.