Wal-Mart, Target and insurance companies ... they aren't protected, per say, but it doesn't stop them from trying to take advantage of customers. I'd be willing to bet if a chain like Wal-Mart were about to go under, the government would step in, just like with the car companies. Also, they have had some airlines go under, during these economic times, quite a few, actually. They were smaller, but I think it really depends on the size of the company, and it's implications on the economy, as to whether the government will step in.
The government stepped in after 9/11, for the airlines, because had they not, basically all of the major airlines would have gone under, which would have been devistating, to the already hurt economy. They didn't stop to help Eastern, or TWA, years ago, and they didn't step in to help Aloha, ATA, or any of the recent airlines to file for bankruptcy.
Look at these banks, and mortgage companies being bailed out, who took advantage of customers. What about the car companies, and how much they jack their prices up. I think arrogance, and greed is everywhere.
You are right about the airlines being arrogant, and you are right about the 9/11 bailouts, of the airlines, and how they used that to take advantage of the employees, and the customers. I think a key there, is employees. Airline employees used to be very well paid. Now, making fast food wages, many couldn't care any less, and thus we have the service of today.
Even though some airlines may have a monopoly on 'certain' routes, that isn't the case for most. If you go to Orbitz, etc., you'll find many airlines fly the same routes. If people really wanted to, they don't have to fly, they can drive. I've seen people fly to destinations that would take them less time to drive to, by the time they make a connection, etc., flying there. There will be certain instances where people 'need' to fly, such as emergencies, in which they need to be somewhere ASAP, but for the most part, people can choose not to fly, just as they can choose not to shop at a store.
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Originally Posted by jimworcs
When you receive poor service from WalMart, you can determine that you will never shop there again and if they disappoint enough customers, they will suffer the economic consequences. The once mighty Sears discovered this, as did KMart. Likewise with insurance companies. The airlines are different. Many of the routes they run are effectively monopolies and they are the only carrier running a direct route, or have the only available slots for regular business customers. In addition, they are protected from normal commercial pressures. Congress protects them from being taken over by foreign airlines for example, protects them from bankruptcy by allowing them to go into Chapter 11 repeatedly and renege on their commitments to their employees and customers and by providing massive subsidies after 9/11. These are just some of the examples.. as a result, they are arrogant, dismissive of their customers needs and have gotten out of control. Your analogy with other companies, such as Target and Walmart is not valid. No one will protect them from bankruptcy or prevent competitors from providing a better service. In this regard, the airlines are almost unique... and this is why they are at the receiving end of such vitriol.
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