American Airlines May Cut up to 15,000 Jobs
American Airlines may cut up to 15,000 jobs, or about 10 percent of its workforce, in an effort to cut costs at the struggling carrier, sources familiar with the situation told an NBC affiliate.
http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/01/10288516-american-airlines-may-cut-up-to-15000-jobs
The finial figure isn't out yet, but it definitely shows you that airline/ spending has slowed. If it was just simple restructuring it may be 1,000 or 2,000.
When numbers come in this range, definitely worth making note off.
Other Job stuff, if you want
http://www.dailyjobcuts.com
LynneSin
(95,337 posts)I haven't flown in ages because it's just too much of a hassle these days. I mean for me to deal with security I have to leave for the airport at least 2 hours ahead of my flight (and I live 30 minutes from Philly airport), deal with the humiliation of being frisked. Then I'm being charged for the craziest things PLUS I'm forced to sit in a seat that was built for a small 10 year old girl.
I'm at the point that if I can take a train there I will. Sure it might take a few extra hours, but since I don't have to deal with airline security I have plenty of extra time (I live 15 minutes from the Amtrak station in Wilmington). The seats are roomier and I can either bring my own food along or buy what is on the train.
Snake Alchemist
(3,318 posts)I love flying. Can't get enough of it. What's weird is that I haven't seen a plane that isn't completely full for a long time with the exception being a Virgin Australia flight back to the States a few months ago. That was about half full, but I believe storms kept people from making their connections.
I don't think the problem is a lack of flyers. I think that it's just nearly impossible to make flying profitable and maybe that should not be the goal.
LynneSin
(95,337 posts)so the seats are very clausterphobic.
It's not that I'm afraid of flying, I just am miserable doing it. And it takes at least a day for me to recooperate from a miserable flight.
Snake Alchemist
(3,318 posts)I'm pretty svelte though. Intl flights are a little more roomy, but anything over 3hrs domestic does get a little old.
The flying experience, went from enjoyable to horrible. Now when u think about flying, its like no water, everything has to be in special containers, new pat downs. Its like really, safety is one thing, but this is overboard.
LynneSin
(95,337 posts)I use to take 2 giant bottles of water on me when I took a flight. I tend to get dehydrated on flights. I could pick those up at the grocery store for about $1.25 each. Or if I was thrifty I had a nice 48 ounce water bottle I could fill up for flights.
Now I have to drink their water which they sell for about $3-$5 a container (or I could use my water bottle and fill up from a fountain that is nasty tasting water).
Trust me, after that incident where the banned fluids, the airlines LOVED it. It meant they could rip off passengers even more by forcing them to eat food and drinking beverages only sold at the airport or on the plane.
So now that cheap $300 airline ticket means I have to add in things like $50 for parking, $25 for food and if I don't pay extra then I can't grab one of the roomier seats which means I'm cramped the entire flight.
I've been thinking of going to the DNC this year and saw that I could take a train but it's 10 hours. But honestly, I would rather do that then fly and deal with all the hassles.
BadgerKid
(4,552 posts)just bring an empty bottle and fill them from the water fountain near the restrooms.
LynneSin
(95,337 posts)I mean I would but I would barely be able to gag down because of the taste.
I have sensitive taste buds
BadgerKid
(4,552 posts)I was originally thinking about water filters for hiking/camping but figured $50 is too much hassle. This appears worth the price.
Travelman
(708 posts)I'll take it one step further W/R/T trains (not just Amtrak; I've noticed this world-wide): coach on trains is roomier and more comfortable than first class on airplanes. I do wish we still had train service in Nashville. I'd never set foot on another airplane if we did.
Edit to add: both the airlines and the TSA have combined to create a perfect storm of airline unpleasantness. Toquemada couldn't have come up with a more unpleasant way to travel.
OverDone
(138 posts)We had more train service in the US, that would be a much needed form of transportation.
But with its not wide range of location it makes it tough for some.
Response to OverDone (Original post)
Snake Alchemist This message was self-deleted by its author.
Populist_Prole
(5,364 posts)They're going into BK with a lot of cash. In any case, using Chapter 11 Bankruptcy has been all the rage of airlines the past 10 years to bust their unions and stiff creditors. It's just another tool now. I feel bad for the employees and now they can expect the company to talk to them through the business media and other corporate shills.
OverDone
(138 posts)And the Employees are the one taking the whipping.
They will find out more details tonight on the news.