So the airlines just had their best year ever?

[intrepidity]

Seems that was the time to prepare for lean times, or is that something only we peons need to do?

I have an idea! Tax rates that take those boom years into account and stash the excess money into the Federal government, to be used to prepare the public for potential crises? Kind of like insurance?

[msongs]

1. oughta be some nice low low interest loans available to cover their short term losses nt

[marble falls]

2. They spent their profits buying back stock.

[intrepidity]

6. Sure, propping up stock price

Should have massive negative tax consequences to discourage it.

[marble falls]

10. Just the opposite, they bought in a bull market. Now the value of their stock is tumbling ...

and they are low on operating reserves.

[intrepidity]

11. That supports my point actually

They should be discouraged from using extra cash to gamble in the stock market.

[empedocles]

3. Executive bonus options had a great year, plus the automatic bonus when fuel prices drop [in normal

times]

[pwb]

4. All the Corporations have their hand out as usual.

.

[NoMoreRepugs]

5. Let's let Elizabeth Warren negotiate with them.

[guillaumeb]

7. They used those profits to reward their rich shareholders, and their executives.

Now they want some welfare.

[trof]

8. They will all be bankrupt in a couple of months.

We may need to go back to 'regulated' airlines like back in the olden days when I started flying as a commercial pilot in 1968.

The CAB (Civil Aeronautics Board) controlled route awards and fares.
You might say it was 'socialized aviation', but every airline made a reasonable profit and employees were treated fairly.

Since they could not compete on fares, they competed on service.
EVERYBODY got a meal.
Coach class meals were the equivalent of so-called first class meals today.
First class meals were gourmet experiences.

Free booze in first, and inexpensive booze in coach.
Unless there was some kind of delay and then the captain would declare 'free booze' for all.

Fares were much higher, but you did get value for your money, not like today.
Just MHO.