5 ms·
This is not just something that this airline does. There are MANY airlines that do that, especially internationally, but also domestically in the USA. The reaso
by frankfrankfrank 5y ago
This is not just something that this airline does. There are MANY airlines that do that, especially internationally, but also domestically in the USA. The reason you likely aren't aware is that you fly at times when the routes are popular.
In the USA there is also a totally different issue, Congressional pork barrel that, e.g., subsidizes a route or even whole airline that serves the interest of a single Congressman so he does not have to take longer routes or fly on limited schedules. There are even famous instances of whole airports being built/funded for that very reason.
- anovikov 5y agoThat sounds hard to believe because why won't a congressman just fly private jet? If this is true, then maybe Russian-style corruption among politicians isn't such a bad thing, because it results, at least in this case, in much less waste.
- dehrmann 5y agoCongressmen "only" (this is a lot for 95% of Americans) make ~$200k. They fly commercial. Except Biden. He took the train.
- batch12 5y agoI have been on a plane flying coach with a senator sitting directly behind me.
- anovikov 5y agoWhy do they do that? Just to show off to their constituents how egalitarian they are? People must be truly dumb if they buy into it.
- iratewizard 5y agoMaybe they don't value the cost of first class. Don't attribute to malice what can be attributed to personal taste.
- Rebelgecko 5y agoWith how frequently they fly, I imagine that every congress critter has enough status to get free upgrades to first class
- sokoloff 5y agoThat may have been true decades ago. Now, carriers are dropping the prices of first class seats and offering cheaper paid upgrades to coach seats (to get around corporate travel rules against buying specific fare class tickets), that upgrades are harder to come by and way less guaranteed than before.
- Scoundreller 5y agoMy thought is some airlines just so it automatically. Helps when your industry needs a bailout.
- teeray 5y agoI think there are congressional rules about such things. I, for one, would be pretty upset at tax money being spent on congressional NetJet hours.
- seanmcdirmid 5y agoThey don’t make enough money to fly casually business class.
- aaronbrethorst 5y agoTo avoid negative press, but otherwise you’re correct https://govtrackinsider.com/no-congressional-first-class-flights-act-would-require-congress-members-to-fly-coach-when-using-263eae90e30 https://govtrackinsider.com/no-congressional-first-class-fli...
- oivey 5y agoPrivate jets are way too expensive for congressman, even with handouts from lobbyists and other shady business.
- anovikov 5y agoMy point was that in a "normal" (from this side of the world) society, a congressman would be able to steal enough to be able to fly privately easily.
- catern 5y agoAre most congresspeople rich enough for that? Private jet flights are very expensive. Being a millionaire won't cut it.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- fblp 5y agoCurious, could you share specific examples of that pork barreling?
- nradov 5y agoThe federal government Essential Air Service program subsidizes airlines to continue with scheduled flights at small airports in rural areas even though there are few passengers. Most states have at least one such airport so Congress has consistently provided funding. https://www.transportation.gov/policy/aviation-policy/small-community-rural-air-service/essential-air-service https://www.transportation.gov/policy/aviation-policy/small-... https://www.enotrans.org/eno-resources/federal-government-subsidize-air-service-small-communities/ https://www.enotrans.org/eno-resources/federal-government-su...
- jeppesen-io 5y agoI feel mixed about this On hand, it provides real benefits On the other, hard not to see this most benefits the wealthy. I count myself in that benefit
- dehrmann 5y ago> this most benefits the wealthy If it really is to provide commercial air access to rural places, unless the "rural places" happen to be near resorts or random rural wealthy people, I'd think anyone making over ~$40k per year in that region would benefit. The bit to feel mixed about is to what extent we should subsidize people choosing to live in rural areas.
- wayne 5y agoScandal where United ran money-losing flights to an airport near the Port Authority of NY/NJ's chairman's weekend home to curry favor, resulting in the resignation of United's CEO: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/09/business/united-ceo-port-authority-investigation.html https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/09/business/united-ceo-port-...
- wayne 5y agoHere's an example of United running way more flights than needed because LGA and DCA are slot-controlled and relatively close to each other so running a flight between the two keeps the slots in-use: https://viewfromthewing.com/united-airlines-will-run-32-new-york-dc-flights-a-day-to-squat-their-slots/ https://viewfromthewing.com/united-airlines-will-run-32-new-...
- mojomark 5y agoI feel like I've been living under a rock after reading this. Seems like extremely low hanging fruit for international climate change regulators to simlply add regulation to stop incentivizing harmful emissions. I'm sure we'll make this way harder to fix than it needs to be... as we watch that asteroid demolish us.
- smabie 5y agoOr just change the rules about maintaining slots? KISS
- BurningFrog 5y agoThere are no "international climate change regulators" with such powers.
- yostrovs 5y agoNo. Instead I'll be hearing that I need to lower my thermostat and work on insulating my attic because the situation with climate is getting critical and everyone must do their part.
- 4wsn 5y agoOh, buddy, I also can't wait to receive more instructions from our heroic leaders. I love that extra spring in my step from knowing my selfless acts are _literally saving the world_. I still haven't come down from the moral high of not using plastic straws anymore.
- dehrmann 5y ago
- LargoLasskhyfv 5y agoMany? All of them, I'd guess. Use it, or lose it. https://simpleflying.com/lufthansa-ghost-flights/ https://simpleflying.com/lufthansa-ghost-flights/