Originally Posted by FWAAA
Please don't insult our intelligence by telling us that the tax break (of which you have zero firsthand knowledge) makes the airlines better off than if they had sold the seat.
Airlines that offer F are, for the most part, bleeding cash and cash is what they need right now, not make-believe tax breaks. Sky marshals sit in F seats, that means the airlines can't sell them (for any amount of money). Since they (those offering F) all have cumulative losses that will negate any income tax for years to come, even if a tax break existed (which it doesn't), it does nothing to compensate them now for the occupied seat.
Not the heart of your post? You spent a lot of paragraphs explaining the hearsay your bosses told you.
Why don't you focus instead on telling us things that you do know something about?
And here is the flame I tried so hard to avoid (sigh). Well, I guess I should just chalk it up to 'you can't please all of the people...'
I agree with you wholeheartedly that the airlines are in trouble. I realize that you are of the opinion that there is absolutely no need for the FAM program, and that it should be abolished. My opinion differs, but I have made no attempt to even debate the issue with anyone since I know what that will lead to. I only offered certain facts.
Well, let me attempt to head off the next flame by stating that the first fact is simply one I believe to be true, while the others are facts I have personal knowledge of. Its sad that we live in a world in which disclaimers such as this are necessary. Otherwise people, who know full well what the intent of our words are, will make every attempt to twist them around and throw them back at us.
That being said, I would like to add two more facts to the list. First, irregardless of whether the FAM program should exist or not, it is not to blame for the current state of affairs concerning the airlines. The airlines were in financial trouble long before the FAM program ramped up, and this trouble became even more dire after the events of 9/11.
Second, if the FAM program were abolished tomorrow it would have not have any positive effect on the airlines financial situation. Whether or not it would have a negative effect is a debatable issue which I am not offering an opinion on.
Although it is still considered classified, most of you have a pretty good grasp of how many FAMs there are, and how many flights are covered. It is ludicrous to state that the loss of fares from two first class seats on each of these flights is going to make or break the airlines. As was previously pointed out in this thread (and a valid point), this would save pennies for a company which is bleeding millions (yes, yes, much more than pennies, but labeled pennies for comparison - yet another sadly required disclaimer).
What I'm getting at is that if you believe the FAM program to be defunct and that it should not exist, you have every right to voice your opinion. You have every right to take any and all legal action to attempt to affect change. Just don't bash people for doing a job which many people believe to be necessary. Its considered rude, impolite, and morally offensive in any civilized place. And that
is something I know.
AP2001