Airlines struggle with worker shortages after getting billions to stop layoffs

[Sherman A1]

WASHINGTON (SBG) — Commercial airlines received more federal pandemic relief than any other single industry affected by COVID-19. Since March of last year, airlines took $54 billion to prevent mass layoffs and weather the storm of COVID-19.

Despite receiving a massive infusion of taxpayer money, major carriers have been roiled with staff shortages and flight cancellations. Many have cut back flight schedules and ended service to certain airports. Ahead of what is expected to be a busy holiday travel season, lawmakers are looking at the disruptions and questioning whether airlines misused COVID relief funds.

According to Politico, members of the House Transportation Committee want to hear from airline executives about why they weren't ready when passengers returned to the skies.

"There should have been every reason, particularly given the bailout money for the airlines, to prepare for the surge we're seeing now," Democrat Eleanor Holmes-Norton, Washington, D.C.'s congressional delegate told Politico. The Transportation Committee does not currently have a hearing scheduled.

https://krcgtv.com/news/nation-world/airlines-worker-shortages-after-getting-billions-covid-relief-holiday-travel

[OnlinePoker]

1. I don't fault the airlines...much

Many industries, particularly tourist based, have struggled to get workers to return to their old jobs after the worst of the pandemic issues abated. People found other ways to make a living that suited them more or paid better. From what I've read, airlines (especially discount carriers) don't pay their workers all that well, so it's no surprise people have chosen other options for employment.

[Phoenix61]

2. They took 54 billion so they could pay their

workers enough so they would be sufficiently staffed. It wasn’t meant to by back stocks are pay CEOs.