mensaboy
19th Apr 2010, 14:17
The mess in Europe might have more far reaching implications than anyone is considering at the moment. Entire economies will suffer, although once again aviation will be the hardest hit. Mark my words, it won't be long until the airlines are demanding a bail-out package partly because recent legislation requires them to cover passenger costs related to this 'act of God' event.
It is possible that continuous flight cancellations will occur for an extended period of time since the last time this volcano erupted it went on for 2 years! Just imagine the economic impact if just 25% of flights were cancelled over an extended period of time. Hopefully it will all blow over (no pun intended) by this time tomorrow.
Even if the area of ash cloud dissipates fully in the next 24 hours, likely an airline or two will fail in the ensuing couple of months, similar to post 9/11.
If anyone knows the % of EK's business that involves Europe, could you post it here? But for the airlines based in Europe, it involves 100% of their business. So yes EK will suffer in the short term but nothing like some other rather large and precariously positioned airlines. Like always, those airlines best positioned to take advantage of the situation, could actually benefit in the long run.
I can't help but think that EK will inevitably benefit from this disaster, either by temporarily solving their engineer/pilot crewing problem or in the long term by taking up the slack after many other airlines have suffered worse.
No doubt our management is already in the process of using these recent events as another excuse to withold our much deserved and long overdue 'piece of the pie'. I think that is a forgone conclusion.
(Round about this time next year, they will be congratulating us on our professional efforts getting through the difficult 2010 fiscal year, which resulted in record breaking profits.)
Perhaps I should appreciate this airline more, in spite of the fact we have such poor management. Is it a fair tradeoff working such ridiculous schedules and receiving no acknowledgement or respect, for our relative job security in this business? Is it a better lot in life to be fatigued much of the time as opposed to worrying about the viability of our employer? I just don't know anymore.
It is possible that continuous flight cancellations will occur for an extended period of time since the last time this volcano erupted it went on for 2 years! Just imagine the economic impact if just 25% of flights were cancelled over an extended period of time. Hopefully it will all blow over (no pun intended) by this time tomorrow.
Even if the area of ash cloud dissipates fully in the next 24 hours, likely an airline or two will fail in the ensuing couple of months, similar to post 9/11.
If anyone knows the % of EK's business that involves Europe, could you post it here? But for the airlines based in Europe, it involves 100% of their business. So yes EK will suffer in the short term but nothing like some other rather large and precariously positioned airlines. Like always, those airlines best positioned to take advantage of the situation, could actually benefit in the long run.
I can't help but think that EK will inevitably benefit from this disaster, either by temporarily solving their engineer/pilot crewing problem or in the long term by taking up the slack after many other airlines have suffered worse.
No doubt our management is already in the process of using these recent events as another excuse to withold our much deserved and long overdue 'piece of the pie'. I think that is a forgone conclusion.
(Round about this time next year, they will be congratulating us on our professional efforts getting through the difficult 2010 fiscal year, which resulted in record breaking profits.)
Perhaps I should appreciate this airline more, in spite of the fact we have such poor management. Is it a fair tradeoff working such ridiculous schedules and receiving no acknowledgement or respect, for our relative job security in this business? Is it a better lot in life to be fatigued much of the time as opposed to worrying about the viability of our employer? I just don't know anymore.