October looks like the month most BIG US carriers are becoming SMALLER — UAL plans to drop more than 20,000 employees (including 1,000 management jobs); and American says it will have 40,000 fewer workers this fall; SOUTHWEST says it “expects” to avoid any furloughs or layoffs — but earlier this year, nearly 17,000 employees took extended “voluntary” time off or early retirement. Look for ticket prices — for the time — to be reasonable and frequent flyer mile bargains galore !!!
Passenger loads were off the charts last month — in the NEGATIVE — with schedules about 35% of what they were a year ago! International travel to just about anywhere is hard to find – with domestic loads higher on weekends and fairly soft during the week. Most US carriers have cut schedules to about 50-70% of what they were pre-Pandemic with massive employee layoffs and furloughs in the works. The only positive side of travel is less expensive airfares — that is if you can find some place to visit?
Check out the podcast “AIRLINE CONFIDENTIAL” hosted by a former CEO of Spirit Airlines and a public broadcasting wannabe. The podcast, though somewhat long and wordy, on occasion do have good information and travel suggestions — but usually buried in the overly dull chit chat — give a listen and tell us what you think? Maybe the TC should get in on the podcast circuit???
It looks like American will reduce their total employee numbers by 20,000 or more — unless US carriers receive another big government bailout — layoffs, furloughs, early retirement buyouts, and position eliminations are across the board — so don’t be surprised to see service — both at airports and inflight — slow down! Remember when it used to be FUN to travel by air???
Yup — with business travelers way way down, looks like it’s the package tour folks that are filling planes — especially on weekends. Biggest complaint to airline crews is folks taking their shoes — and most often socks — off during the flight. Amazing how many folks even go bare feet into the aircraft lav …. If you must take your shoes and socks off inflight, then keep them in your own space. In Russia, one passenger actually stabbed another over bare smelly feet! Mind your manners and feet!!!
“Thumbs up” says the TC — with special parking for locals with newer or collectors model motor cars?
Could be if COVID doesn’t take a back seat fairly soon, that’s the current financial outlook. Already 34 airlines have gone out of business with many more “on the ropes” — in the US, United, Delta, American and Southwest currently have over 1,000 planes out of service and parked around the country. Many, like older inefficient 737’s and 757’s, won’t ever fly the “friendly” US skies again … worldwide, the number of planes taken out of service the next couple of years could easily add a 1000++ to the total.
TSA says we don’t need to see your boarding pass — facial recognition will take its place — and most likely at check in and boarding ticket counters. Some may feel it’s a violation or privacy and if that’s the way you feel then you’ll be grounded. And, most likely only ticketed passengers will be allowed into airports, including the “dreaded” bagage claim areas. YUP says the TC!!! Lets keep the “riff and raft” out!!
Maybe — the once high-flying Branson airline filed for bankruptcy protection and hopes to “reorganize” high debt and keep flying! One of the best airlines for service and customer care, Virgin is in a tough battle for survival — a TC favorite, Virgin makes travel fun+comfortable and has the BEST business class of any carrier currently flying. How nice to say something nice about an airline!!!
