PBS, Flying Cheap

I watched PBS' "Frontline" video "Flying Cheap". The report was about the safety of the regional airlines.

The report showed some of the failings of a regulatory government body like the Federal Aviation Administration. Despite the failing of the FAA, the report showed a strong support from the tribe for the power the FAA has.

At the same time the report called for more regulation of the airline industry, it called for more responsibility of the individual airlines. This is the cry of the unions who do not want competition. Less competition means less consumer choices and higher ticket prices and higher union wages. People feel safe in a regulated environment. Freedom is frightening to many people. The old lady who is not capable of competing and dealing with the complexity of the modern world feels safer if someone else deals with the complex world for her.

As usual, the sheep want a protective Shepherd. None of the sheep want to take individual responsibility and refuse to fly on the regional airlines because they are dangerous.

But are they dangerous? The International Air Transport Association's, IATA, report for 2009 shows 2009 was the second safest year of flying on record.

The PBS program about flying cheap was produced by people who are just trying to survive. They produce a product to sell to the viewing public in hope of getting more funding. The report produced fear, when fear is not warranted. People buy into fear.

The report is also anti capitalism. It indicates low wages are dangerous. It produces the usual envy and hatred of corporations as evil and greedy. People fear and hate corporations more than they fear and hate governments, yet the largest corporation cannot compel you to do anything, while the smallest government can throw you in jail and seize your assets. It is as if people think when a person works for a corporation they retain only their deadly sins, and when a person works for the government they retain only their heavenly virtues. People who work in government and people who work in corporations both have virtues and sins. The government employees have the most power and they are the only ones who are allowed to use force, threats and coercion against you.

The Frontline report implies low wages were the cause of the Buffalo Colgan Airline crash. Low wages simply means there are more pilots available for the pilot openings. If the supply of pilots is greater than the demand their salaries will be lower.

Charles Tolleson, Retired Airline Pilot