Flying Isn’t Fun and the Skies Aren’t Friendly

Revolt of the Passengers——————————-

                A commentary

                By J. F. Kelly, Jr.

You really can’t blame airline passengers for being testy with the airlines these days. For the many millions who can’t afford the comparative luxury of first or business class service and are forced to fly economy class, flying is not the relatively pleasant experience it once was, especially for those of us of substantial proportions.

 

I recall with some nostalgia, the days of propeller airliners when you sat in comfortable, roomy seats, the food was edible and nicely presented and your fellow passengers were fully-clothed, properly shod and recently bathed. The planes were slow and fares were expensive but after a few complementary cocktails you really didn’t care that much. At least you didn’t have to stuff yourself into a seat built for tiny people.

 

Those of us who fly steerage rather than pay inflated prices for a little more space and service are herded like livestock into cramped spaces and strapped to a seat that permits no wiggle room. A patient strapped to a hospital gurney has more freedom of motion. A passenger in an isle seat risks losing an appendage every time the drink cart passes by. The passenger in the window seat must climb over two passengers just to stand in line to use the tiny toilet and usually decides it isn’t worth the effort. The passenger in the middle seat can’t even count on the exclusive use of an armrest.

 

On top of all this, there is the uncertainty over whether or not you might be bumped and forced to give up even these mean accommodations as was Dr. David Dao, who was dragged from his seat after refusing an offer, and then a demand, to give up his seat along with three other passengers in order to accommodate four United Airlines employees on their way to crew another flight. Turns out it was an offer he couldn’t refuse so he was involuntarily removed, losing two teeth, some blood and suffering a broken nose in the process. The other passengers were rightly horrified and images of the fiasco went viral, causing an international uproar and major public relations woes for United. The industry is in damage control mode with each carrier trying to outdo each other in raising the amount airline agents can offer passengers who are bumped.

 

Here are some pertinent observations. First, this obviously should never have happened. Airlines overbook and it is a legitimate business practice. They can’t afford to fly with empty seats because of no-shows. But the bumping should be done in the terminal before boarding, not on a packed airplane. Passengers who are seated in their proper seats have a reasonable expectation of being allowed to remain there except for safety or security reasons which leads to the second observation. The aircraft crewmembers, under the authority of the captain, are responsible for the safety of the aircraft, the passengers and the crew. They have the authority to move or remove passengers for whatever reason, period. The passenger does not have a vote in this matter. An aircraft, like a ship, is not a democracy. Safety in the air demands that the crew be obeyed without question. The passenger’s alternative to obeying is to be arrested and forcibly moved or removed.

 

The final observation is that since overbooking is a valid business practice that will continue, the purchaser of a ticket should have some corresponding bargaining rights. The airlines need to pay the bumped ticket holder what the market demands. Apparently, they are scrambling now to adjust their policies regarding what they are willing to pay before public outrage over Dr. Dao’s treatment results in new federal regulations being imposed the airlines, perhaps limiting their authority to forcibly remove passengers.

 

I close with today’s travel tip. When the passenger in the seat in front of you suddenly reclines his seat into your lap causing your hot beverage to spill, don’t get angry, get even. Fake a series of sneezes and coughs and blow your nose enthusiastically. Have your travelling companion or seatmate say in an audible voice, “You really need to see a doctor about that condition.” I guarantee that the seat will return to the upright position and remain there for the duration of the flight.

 

April 30, 2017

 

 

 

GOP Strikes Out on Health Care Reform

Strike One on the Trump Agenda——————————-

                A commentary

                By J. F. Kelly, Jr.

                “I am not a member of any organized political party. I’m a Republican.”

                                                                                                                -Will Rogers

Donald Trump campaigned on many promises, chief among them being the promise to repeal Obamacare on day one. That was never going to happen on day one, of course, and now it’s doubtful that it will ever happen, thanks to the inability of the ruling Republicans to come together to support their own health care bill. Mr. Trump also campaigned on a promise to end the gridlock which has paralyzed Washington. But after over two months in office, government gridlock is alive and well and doesn’t appear to be going away any time soon.

So Republicans will now turn to tax reform. This was supposed to be easier than healthcare reform because, they said, Republicans are united in wanting lower taxes. But all Republicans were supposed to be united in wanting to repeal Obamacare and replacing it with something better. What they couldn’t agree on was what something better should look like. Why should anyone expect them to agree on the details of tax reform? Which taxes should be reduced? Which exclusions and deductions should be retained and which should be eliminated? How would the lost revenue be replaced or which government functions should be reduced or eliminated?

Like the Democrats, the GOP is deeply divided. Having won the White House as well as both branches of congress, they apparently can’t stand prosperity. House Speaker Paul Ryan seems to lack the clout to keep his own party in line long enough to get promised legislation passed. The Republican health bill, while far from perfect, would have been a start toward keeping a key campaign promise. Its failure was a strike against the Trump Administration and if it fails to deliver on tax reform, it may find itself one strike away from striking out on its promise to make America great again.

Candidate Trump touted his ability to make deals but President Trump is discovering that transformational change through legislation is difficult and complex and no job for amateurs. Closing real estate deals and selling a brand don’t have a lot in common with running a government as big and complex as ours with its checks and balances. It’s early, but he has thus far provided little evidence that he is up to the job or has the ability to deliver on his campaign promises. Meanwhile, the national debt mounts, international challenges increase and the nation grows more divided.

I didn’t vote for Mr. Trump because I felt that he lacked the temperament and experience to fill the most powerful office in the world. I felt that Republicans made a mistake in nominating him. Still, no one will benefit from a failed Trump presidency and Democrats have little reason to rejoice over his difficulties. Members of both parties need to start behaving like responsible adults and work together, starting domestically with health care and tax reform.

April 3, 2017