Even as a liberal, I completely agree. Companies and industries throughout history have always had to change to survive. This is no different. The economic environment for the airlines has changed. There are some things that the government can and should do to help, but the burden is on the airlines to make the new economy work for them. Some airlines are doing it, some are not. Remember, we now have pre-Sept. 11th passenger levels. If the airlines can make the changes necessary, then they will survive. The passengers are out there. =20 Clay - SEA Fan of doing away with what the unions have done over the past 50 years and starting over with a basic plan. =20 -----Original Message----- From: damiross3@xxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:damiross3@xxxxxxxxxxx]=20 Sent: Monday, September 13, 2004 9:26 AM To: The Airline List; Clay Wardlow; bahadiracuner@xxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: SFGate: Alaska Air shuts Oakland base/340 maintenance workers laid off by troubled carrier =20 Don't forget, Baha: the purpose of for-profit business is to make money. Yes, it helps to treat your employees well but the bottom line (no pun intended) is to make a profit. As much as the liberals think otherwise, this is still a capitalist country. David R -------------- Original message --------------=20 =09 > When are we going to learn to keep the well being of people before the=20 > well being of corps?=20 >=20 > Probably when we could afford the $1,000 ticket that used to cost $200.=20 >=20 > Clay - SEA=20 >=20 > -----Original Message-----=20 > From: Bahadir Acuner [mailto:bahadiracuner@xxxxxxxxx]=3D20=20 > Sent: Friday, September 10, 2004 7:12 AM=20 > Subject: Re: SFGate: Alaska Air shuts Oakland base/340 maintenance=20 > workers laid off by troubled carrier=20 >=20 > Looks like the norm these days:=20 > - Fire your employees with bargaining power=20 > - Replace them with contractors with no or much less benefit with no=20 > unions.=20 >=20 >=20 > When we are going to learn to keep the well being of people before the=20 > well=20 > being of corporations?=20 >=20 > BAHA=20 > Fan of touch of socialism=20