Are Global Airlines Fair?

There are large concerns with U.S.-based airlines that if they are not checked, the Gulf carriers will drive them out of business.  Why is this, you ask?  Because these Gulf carriers receive massive government subsidies.  While many airlines are government owned, there are three Gulf carriers "Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar are growing disproportionately compared to their respective populations and GDP growth. In a few years these carriers will have more widebody aircraft than all US airlines combined, despite the fact that the UAE and Qatar have a population that’s less than 4% that of the US."  (Other Carriers, 2015)

According to Emirates' website, they have operated on open competition for over 30 years.  At the time of their launch in 1985, Emirates began operations with 2 aircraft, and have grown their fleet to over 230 aircraft.  These aircraft serve over 140 destinations.  They also claim to not be subsidized.  "Emirates is not subsidized. We operate on a fully commercial basis and have been profitable for the past 27 years. Our accounts, audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers, have been published annually since 1993-94."  (Open Skies, Emirates)

Ethiad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, has been in operation for ten years, and claims to have established itself as the world's leading airline.  Ethiad is the second largest of the Gulf carriers, behind Emirates.  In regards to receiving subsidies, they also deny this.  According to their website, the dominant mega-carriers in the U.S. and Europe "claim that we receive Government subsidies – a claim we categorically reject."  (Keep the Skies Open, Ethiad)

According the a study conducted by Ethiad, the "Big Three" U.S. carriers (United, Delta, American) have received subsidies from the government to the tune of almost $71.5 billion.  This comes from an independent study performed by "Risk Advisory Group found that the vast majority of the $71.48 billion granted to American Airlines, United and Delta has been paid since 2000."  (U.S. Carriers, 2015)  One of the claims as to why the U.S. Big Three received subsidies after September 11, 2001.  Other claims include:

•  "A total of $761 million was granted to Delta by Minnesota to build a fleet maintenance facility
• American Airlines received $80-85 million in redevelopment funds from the State of Missouri in 2003
• United Airlines received another $6.3 million in tax credits from Colorado
• The report also points out that the US bars foreign airlines from its domestic market and stipulates that government-paid air travel must be on US carriers." (U.S. Carriers, 2015)

Emirates is currently operating more than 175 Boeing 777's, in addition to 37 Airbus A380, making them the largest Boeing operator in the world.  Emirates is backed by their owner, the Dubai government, but also backed by the U.S. government, "which helps Emirates buy Boeing aircraft with below-market interest rates provided by the Ex-Im Bank."  (Reed, 2013)  The way the Ex-Im Bank works is that it helps American companies of all sizes to export their products around the world.  Those who oppose the Ex-Im Bank will often use the level of support given to Boeing and other large companies as a way to show proof of favoritism shown to certain large firms, however smaller companies show higher numbers of bank financing, based on total numbers of transactions.  However, as of 1 July 2015, the EXIM Bank has lapsed in authority, and is not, at current time, taking new customers.

If everything is as it says on the surface (as the Big Three U.S. carriers say), then what the Gulf carriers are doing seems unfair.  To receive breaks on cost of aircraft, whereas the U.S. carriers get no cost breaks, and then allowing the Gulf carriers to share routes on top of that, they have an unfair advantage.  On the other hand, the two largest Gulf carriers deny receiving subsidies, and have made public their accounting records.  Also, if the U.S. carriers have received billions of dollars since 2001, then they can't claim to be the victim, can they?  

Keep The Skies Open (Etihad Global) Retrieved by http://www.etihad.com/en-us/about-us/keep-the-skies-open/

Open Skies | About Emirates | Emirates United States (Emirates United States) Retrieved from http://www.emirates.com/us/english/about/open-skies.aspx?intc_type=articles&intc_name=Open_Skies&intc_creative=link&intc_location=home

Other Carriers Can't Compete With Gulf Airlines Under The Current System - Here's Why - One Mile at a Time (One Mile at a Time) Retrieved from http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2015/02/18/other-carriers-cant-compete-with-gulf-airlines-under-the-current-system-heres-why/

Reed, T. (2013, September 27). Growth at Emirates Airline Shows Need for US Airways/AA Merger (TheStreet) Retrieved from http://www.thestreet.com/story/12050241/1/growth-at-emirates-airlines-shows-need-for-us-airwaysaa-merger.html

US carriers 'have received $71.5 billion in state-aid' - Business Traveller (US carriers 'have received $71.5 billion in state-aid' - Business Traveller) Retrieved by http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/101647/us-carriers-have-received-dollar-71.5bn-in-stat

 

Cargo Flight Regulations

Following the Colgan Air crash of 2009, the FAA made some important changes to flight/duty regulations.  One of the issues that was addressed was fatigue.  This has been a long-standing issue, and was "addressed with a new science-based rule requiring at least a 10-hour rest period for pilots and co-pilots."  (Tumulty, 2014)  This new regulation looks at three things:  Time of day, what time the pilots start work, and the number of legs they are flying for the day, however, the time the pilots take to commute from other cities is not considered.  The old regulation was only concerned with whether the flights were domestic, international, or scheduled/unscheduled.  Another issue that was changed was training for loss of control situations.  This was addressed by requiring all new pilots to undergo flight simulator training.  Previously, there was no requirement for training.  A new 1500 hour minimum flight hour has been added, and is a sore spot among both airlines and pilots.  The controversy stems from the fact that there is no way of guaranteeing if the hours are going to produce the quality pilots they seek.  Lastly, "airlines are required to disclose code-sharing when customers book their travel if a flight will handled by a regional airline partner."  (Tumulty, 2014)  As with the no previous requirement for flight simulator training, there was no requirement to disclose code-sharing as well.

So far as I can tell, cargo carriers have no flight/duty limitations.  The Chief Surgeon for the FAA, James Fraser states that "the FAA's exclusion of cargo pilots from new fatigue rules was done for political reasons. Fraser said the aviation professionals at the FAA understand that there is no difference between pilots who fly cargo and pilots who carry passengers, other than the fact that cargo carriers' management complained that increased rest for pilots would cost too much."  (Goelz, & Hall 2014)  The largest cargo carriers in the world (UPS, FedEx) have spent close to $150 million in political contributions since Obama took office, so there is little surprise that cargo pilots were not included in the new regulations.

Cargo carriers should be required to adhere to the same regulations as those flying passenger flights.  Not having adequate rest will make no difference whether there is passengers or cargo on the plane.  Fatigue is fatigue, regardless of what you are flying.  A 1500 hour minimum requirement will hinder cargo carriers the same as passenger carriers, so there should be no exemption based on that either.  

On the management side of the house, if cargo carriers were required to follow these new regulations, many changes will have to be made.  It will affect me the same as it will someone running the management side in a passenger carrier.  It may be prudent to me to pick the brains of those on the passenger side to find out how they make it happen.  It won't just be about "moving the rig," as we heard in the Flying Cheap segment.  Sure, there might be a loss of money from the aircraft having to sit for periods of time, but the overall outcome will be less pilot fatigue, and a higher degree of safety.  

Hall, J. & Goelz, P.  Cargo pilot hours should be regulated, too: Column USA Today.  http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/09/11/cargo-pilot-airline-safety-fatigue-regulations-commercial-column/15474061/

Tumulty, Brian.  (2014, February 11).  5 years after N.Y. crash, some airline safety progress.  USA      Today.  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/02/11/colgan-air-crash-prompts-safety-regulations/5372353/ 

Flying Cheap

It would be wrong to attribute the pilot shortage in the regional industry on only the low pay or the increasing age of the most experienced pilots.  The cost of flight training is not the only thing that is deterring many would-be pilots.  A large issue is the pay, or lack thereof.  Average starting salary for a regional pilot is "about $20,000 a year (lately increasing to approximately $30,000 thanks to signing bonuses, retention pay and other incentives)."  (The Coming U.S. Pilot, 2015)  Many of the pilots we see that have accrued large numbers of hours are what I have heard referred to as the "Vietnam-era pilots."  These pilots are nearing or passing the previous age of retirement, 60, and are nearing the newer retirement age of 65.  There are "upward of 20,000 cockpit seats expected to open up at U.S. airlines over the next seven years due to FAA-mandated age-65 retirements..."  (The Coming U.S. Pilot, 2015)

Because the FAA is mandating that new pilots gain more flight hours before a flight student can become an airline pilot, many are discouraged.  The training is not cheap, and the time required to gain even the minimum amount of hours is daunting to many prospective pilots.  What is the solution?  In my opinion, the easiest solution would be to lower the required number of hours to give new student pilots a more realistic view of how long it will take to acquire the necessary hours.  Raising the starting pay, while it would be nice, seems like a tougher road.  "Salaries are locked by two main drivers: cost-fixed contracts that the regionals hold with mainline carriers, and pilots’ collective bargaining agreements."  (The Coming U.S. Pilot, 2015)

As was stated, ALPA is a representative for much of the pilot side of the industry.  A few of the representatives for the other factions of the aviation industry are as follows:  The NACTA (National Air Traffic Controllers Association) represents air traffic controllers.  The AMFA (Airline Mechanics Fraternal Association) covers the maintenance side, and the IBT (International Brotherhood of Teamsters) covers engineering and flight attendants.

Professionalism, to me is the competence and skill that one gains in his/her area of expertise.  Beyond that, professionalism also includes the way an individual conducts themselves.  A person who exudes professionalism will also have qualities that point toward this, and people will gravitate to them and look to them as leaders.

Two ways that I can recall where there was a lack of professionalism was the practice of hiring pilots with very few flight hours.  Some of them were hired with little more than the hours acquired by Eagle Flight students.  While this has no bearing on the new hires themselves, as I'm sure many of them carry themselves with all the professionalism in the world, but rather has everything to do with the upper management.  All upper brass was concerned with was making sure the planes were in the air, and did not concern themselves with how it happened.  Not taking into consideration the huge risks they took by doing this, the lives they put needlessly on the line, all to make a few bucks, it shows an extreme lack of professionalism.  A second instance where professionalism was lacking was the situation where the pilot fudged the weight and balance for a flight.  When the First Officer wrote a letter of complaint to report this, the Captain was defended and made to look like a model pilot, while the FO was thrown under the bus.  Again, another lack of professionalism on behalf of those defending the actions of the Captain.

I think that the pay of new pilots has some effect on the professionalism of their conduct, but ultimately, not the deciding factor.  While doing a job such as they are doing, the professionalism is either there or it isn't.  Those that are professionals will conduct themselves as such, knowing that it is just a stepping stone to the bigger paycheck.  Will there be times where they are unmotivated?  Asking if they will ever advance?  Absolutely, however the true professionals will perform at or above the standards regardless.

When I begin my career, professionalism is very important.  Any opportunity to get extra training will help ensure that my proficiency is as high as it can be.  In order to advance my career and keep others safe, I have a responsibility to read, and obtain any and all knowledge that is available.  I have to keep in mind that I am never done learning.  The minute I think I've learned all there is to know, that is when mistakes are made.  Always a student.  Another way I can maintain professionalism is to know when I'm over my head.  Asking for help from someone who may have more, or even less experience is not a bad thing.  It can show that I am approachable, and that I can accept constructive criticism.  Better to admit you don't have all the answers than to feel that you do, and get someone hurt or killed.  

Aircraft Mechanic Fraternal Association. (n.d.). About AMFA. http://www.amfanational.org/index.cfm?zone=/unionactive/view_page.cfm&page=About20AMFA

International Brotherhood of Teamsters. (n.d.). Who we represent.  http://teamsterair.org/about/who-we-represent

National Air Traffic Controllers Association. (n.d.). Safety above all. http://www.natca.org/about.aspx#content

The Coming U.S. Pilot Shortage Is Real (The Coming U.S. Pilot Shortage Is Real) http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/coming-us-pilot-shortage-real

UAVs

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, or UAVs are unpiloted aircraft (on board) that are remote controlled by an operator on the ground, or can be given pre-programmed flight plans.  UAVs have been used in military applications for years, deploying upwards of 11,000+ drones, a huge increase from the 200 deployed in 2002.

UAVs are becoming more common in the civilian sector as well.  The Predator drone is currently assisting the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to spot illegal immigrants and smugglers that jump the border into the U.S.  "NASA-operated Global Hawks record atmospheric data and peer into hurricanes."  (Horgan, 2013).  UAVs have also been helpful in gathering volcano data, archaeological data, and flooding in multiple countries world-wide. 

Currently, the FAA's regulations are restricting the use of UAVs by government agencies and also by private companies.  Hobbyists are not subject to the same regulations.  "Even with an FAA permit, operators can’t fly UAVs above 400 feet or near airports or other zones with heavy air traffic, and they must maintain visual contact with the drones."  (Horgan, 2013)  The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Section 333 is responsible for the regulation of civilian application of UAVs.  Under Section 333, the Secretary of Transportation has the authority to decide whether UAVs require an airworthiness certificate in order to operate in the NAS (National Airspace System).  If applied for, a Section 333 exemption allows civilian operators to bypass the regulations set forth in Section 333.

I do see UAVs integrating into the NAS, but regulations and harsh penalties need to be in place in regards to those that break the rules.  One example of this would be invasions of privacy.  I recently recall a news story of a man that shot a UAV (civilian owned) out of the sky after he witnessed the craft hovering over his backyard for an excessive amount of time.  According to the man, he felt that the UAV operator was hovering in order to spy on his teenage daughter and her friends as they sunbathed by the pool.  If regulations were in place that protected a family's privacy, it would serve as a deterrent against such things. 

Military strategy has been altered due to the use of UAVs in a big way.  Where it used to require boots on the ground in order to gather intelligence, recon, and carry out surveillance, UAVs can be used in many cases.  "In 2005, tactical and theater level unmanned aircraft (UA) alone, had flown over 100,000 flight hours in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF)."  (The UAV)  Integration has been mixed, in my opinion.  On one hand, UAVs can do things that no combat troop can achieve.  They have saved many lives for the simple fact that they can keep troops from having to be on the ground.  On the other hand, there is a great pride taken by Special Operations troops and Infantrymen who knowingly signed a contract to go out and meet the enemies of our country, and the thought of becoming obsolete does not sit well with them.  In addition to the ground troops, pilots that have dedicated their lives to perfecting their craft are being replaced by individuals with little or no experience in combat, who don't experience the hardships that come with a combat deployment.  Consider also the fact that UAVs cannot prevent collateral damage, and the morality of an operator sitting at a desk in the U.S. comes into question.  Regardless of the upsides, there is no better source than boots on the ground with eyes on target.  Working together, there are many upsides, but one without the other could have negative outcomes.

In the civilian sector, there are many opportunities for a career flying UAVs.  An operator opportunity with Ratheon can be found Here. An opportunity to work as an analyst for Skunk Works can be found Here.

 Horgan, John. "Unmanned Flight: The Drones Come Home." http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com      /2013/03/unmanned-flight/horgan-text. 2013. Web. 5 Oct. 2015.

The UAV - The Future Of The Sky (The UAV) http://www.theuav.com/