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>I really wonder what would happen if we didn't save the airlines. I don't think the argument is about whether we should bail the airlines out; it's about how

>I really wonder what would happen if we didn't save the airlines. I don't think the argument is about whether we should bail the airlines out; it's about how we should bail them out. Handing them $60B and saying, "Go about your business!" is not going to fly (pun). If the taxpayers are going to provide the capital, they should get equity. It's that easy. Would the government be able to run an airline? I don't know. Could they be any worse than current management?

UncleEntity 7y ago
> Could they be any worse than current management? Pre TSA nationalized security checkpoints it was actually faster to fly from Phoenix to Las Vegas...
zigzaggy 7y ago
First of all, we're clearly going to bail them out, but my argument IS about whether we should. I'm an "all possible options" kind of guy. That is, no matter how extreme, I want to discuss and rule out as many options as I can on my way to making a decision. It's how I frame things in my brain when I'm deciding. Secondly, I strongly agree with the main point you're making - that "we the people" should get equity in exchange for the bail out. When these companies bounce back in a few years we should all get a special refund the year we sell the equity back to industry. However, unless we're buying some HUGE stake, I don't think we should exercise the option of taking over the management of these businesses.