How Safe Are We?

After recently talking with two pilots for a major airline, who are family friends, a scary reality was brought to my attention. They were discussing the fact that for today’s airlines it is not uncommon for a flight attendant’s salary to top a pilot’s. At first, I could not believe this a possibility due to the time, skill, and demand for pilots that their wages could have dropped to new lows. In the face of the current economy it is difficult for airlines to stay afloat especially after the fall they experienced post-9/11. However, due to pay cuts, wage freezes, and unions, pilots have sacrificed much more in terms of wage to keep their job than flight attendants have. The fact that the operators of aircraft have become second to flight attendants signifies a failure of airlines to provide safe transportation in exchange for higher profits.

Over break I flew on a ‘no-frills’ airline for the first time in over a decade, and I was very disappointed with the pilots’ ability to handle the airplane. As a pilot myself, I likely notice things that most travelers do not, and the pilots we much ‘sloppier’ than what I am used to out of my preferred airline. This budget-conscious airline edges the market on its ability to cut prices, however; I am afraid such measures are cutting the quality of the pilots and ultimately the passengers’ safety. I cannot think of anything more important than the safely of the traveler, and the problem extends past the pilots.

With companies’ efforts to reduce overhead it is likely to airlines cut corners in regards to safety. In response to 100 Southwest planes lacking mandatory safety inspections, the FAA made a push to step up its role in enforcing safety requirements. A month later, in April 2008, American Airlines was forced to cancel 2,500 flights because its planes were not deemed ‘airworthy.’ However, American Airlines was not alone, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Alaska Airlines, and Midwest Airlines were are required to ground planes due to a lack of accordance with safety standards that same month. In light of the American Airlines crash in the Hudson River last month, the question regarding the airlines’ concern for safety is just as relevant.

With such cutthroat competition between airlines, companies cannot afford accidents because of scaring off customers. However, revenue has become so hard to come by that all aspects of service have fallen. Fliers realize when their in-flight snack and drink are taken away, when checked bags now incur a fee, and when regular fares skyrocket, but what customers don’t see is easier to hide. I think when airlines discuss charging fares based on passengers’ weight it should become clear that they are struggling. Although I cannot prove that airlines are lowering their safety standards, I think that it is the airlines number one responsibility to keep safety as the prime concern, and given the doubts that have arisen I feel they have failed.