Comments on: Morning Cup of Links: The Mystery Apartment http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/15747 Feel Smart Again Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:37:07 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Florida http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/15747/comment-page-1#comment-78526 Florida Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:17:02 +0000 http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/15747#comment-78526 How is regulating the airline industry a "bailout?" A bailout is when money is provided to a corporation or industry to prevent its collapse. Regulation would not do this. Regulation would standardize fares and schedules, albeit, the fares would be higher and there would be less choice with schedules. But that is not a bailout. BTW, Karen, its Friday. I hope you enjoy your weekend, the 8-hour work day, and the fact someone didn't put you to work at the age of 5. Clearly, unions have done nothing to benefit your life in a meaningful way. How is regulating the airline industry a “bailout?”
A bailout is when money is provided to a corporation or industry to prevent its collapse.
Regulation would not do this. Regulation would standardize fares and schedules, albeit, the fares would be higher and there would be less choice with schedules. But that is not a bailout.
BTW, Karen, its Friday. I hope you enjoy your weekend, the 8-hour work day, and the fact someone didn’t put you to work at the age of 5. Clearly, unions have done nothing to benefit your life in a meaningful way.

]]> By: Matt http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/15747/comment-page-1#comment-78524 Matt Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:16:01 +0000 http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/15747#comment-78524 The state of the airline industry is hardly a failure of the market; it's a direct result of government intervention. The free market would let several of the airlines go under (particularly the ones with burdensome union obligations) and let the other airlines (the ones with manageable union contracts) take over their market share. But the federal government continues bailing out the failing companies. Also, government regulations against foreign ownership of domestic airlines are hampering the market's ability to fix this mess. The state of the airline industry is hardly a failure of the market; it’s a direct result of government intervention. The free market would let several of the airlines go under (particularly the ones with burdensome union obligations) and let the other airlines (the ones with manageable union contracts) take over their market share. But the federal government continues bailing out the failing companies. Also, government regulations against foreign ownership of domestic airlines are hampering the market’s ability to fix this mess.

]]> By: Karen http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/15747/comment-page-1#comment-78501 Karen Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:18:12 +0000 http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/15747#comment-78501 Re-regulating the airlines is a horrible idea. This is nothing but a bailout plan to save the huge glutton airlines from the low cost carriers. I don't want to pay more for my air fare thank you. If I did, I already have that option. Let me determine the level of service I'd like. I do have one idea though -- get rid of all the UNIONS associated with airlines. Implement STRICT safety guidelines with true oversight. That is all the regulation that is needed. I'm fine with flying on a 50 seat plane for my short hops if it saves me $150 and offers me 8 flight choices instead of 2. Re-regulating the airlines is a horrible idea. This is nothing but a bailout plan to save the huge glutton airlines from the low cost carriers. I don’t want to pay more for my air fare thank you. If I did, I already have that option. Let me determine the level of service I’d like.

I do have one idea though — get rid of all the UNIONS associated with airlines. Implement STRICT safety guidelines with true oversight. That is all the regulation that is needed. I’m fine with flying on a 50 seat plane for my short hops if it saves me $150 and offers me 8 flight choices instead of 2.

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