[jimworcs]

To all on this board calling for re-regulation, etc. etc... Qatar is a government owned and operated airline and yet things like this still happen! Not sure what re-regulation would accomplish. Here's someone who had his bags left behind in Manila, was told incorrect information about the correct way to file a claim to get them back and then when the bags were finally delivered can't get a dime in compensation for necessities he purchased. Yeah, being government owned/operated/regulated is the way to go in the airline industry

Phx, you can usually do better than this. You think that regulated industries are the same as government owned? So for example, if the banks are now to be more strictly regulated in the US, instead of the "light touch" approach which lead to financial disaster, you consider this to be the same as if all banks were government owned? It is a nonsense argument and really below your usual standard. It sounds like something Mars would say. The airlines are treated exceptionally: they are not only de-regulated, they are specifically exempted from the rules that apply to any normal company. For example, the airlines have a statutory exemption from anti-trust law. The Airline De-regulation Act of 1978 exempts them from state and local consumer protection laws, including truth-in-advertising laws. They are not just de-regulated, they are specially protected from laws which apply to every other industry. It remains a mystery why this industry has such special protection... or maybe that is what all those political donations are for?


(Btw, Qatar are a publicly limited company, so not government operated, although 50% of the shares are owned by the government).