United Airlines Profit up 68%

United Airlines raised rates over, and over, and over. 

They have claimed they had no choice. 

There is this fee, and that fee, and another fee, and some more fees……But it is not their fault. Don’t blame them, as they are the real victim.

Fuel prices are high….. and they are barely scraping by. Really!

If prices didn’t rise United Airlines might not even be able to survive at all. So please shower them with sympathy. Maybe hold a candle light vigil (with some of your close friends) and say a player for poor (poor) United Airlines.

Maybe send a sympathy card to their corporate headquarters. There is nothing sadder then a struggling corporation. I am tearing up as I type this. It is all so unfair. (I will be right back…..I have to get a tissue.)

http://online.wsj.com/articles/united-continental-profit-rises-68-1406203927

We were told -

“Dave Fuscus, spokesman for the Air Transport Association, which represents the major airlines, says that fuel represents 11 percent of airline operating costs, the second highest expense after labor. They have NO CHOICE but to pass the spike in fuel prices onto the consumer, he says.”
“Airlines are a business with VERY SLIM PROFIT MARGINS, around TWO TO SIX percent ” says Fuscus. “The aviation industry, like other industries and many consumers, is suffering from higher fuel prices. Every time the price of jet fuel goes up a penny, the cost to the industry goes up $170 million annually.”
http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=95818

Yet the reality shows this was COMPLETE LIES! They say the profit margin is 2 - 6%. But they left off the 8.

6%…..68% What is the difference? He was close. Only off by 60%. You should still happily pay their fees.

Last month United announced they are laying off 630 union airport workers. They are being replaced with low cost outsourced workers. They say they have to do it because they have no money. (Pay no attention to the 68% profit….That is none of your business)

You just listen to what they say. Ignore what you see.

Uniteds goal is to take the guy making 50 grand, and replace him with a guy making 18 grand. The guy who was making 50 grand has years of experience and was loyal to the company. But to heck with him. Nobody cares about any of that. If they can save a buck, by destroying a livelihood, then they do it.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-creamer/united-airlines-outsourci_b_5609016.html

So to recap……. the consumer gets screwed (by higher prices and diminished service).

The worker gets screwed (by lost jobs and shrinking paychecks).

The public gets blatantly lied to about what is really going on.

Meanwhile a couple of executives (and some investors) run off with all the money. Isn’t that great? It is called Capitalism. The majority gets screwed. The minority gets rich.

It is a beautiful thing.

If anyone needs an extra tissue I have more. Just let me know.