WWW said:
theRolfe - thanks for your inputs here on your single issue stance
of defending US training of EU nationals.
WWW: You are undoubtably a smart guy. You are undoubtably good at what you do.
Which is why I don't understand how someone who works for one of those 'new' airlines -
the ones that plan on making money rather than flying a national flag - can be in favour of
*any* form of protectionism.
"Go" wouldn't exist if it wan't for liberalisation of the EU air market.
You have stated that you are in favour of protectionism when it comes to flight training outside the JAA 'economic area'.
You have stated that US schools 'nick' students from UK ones.
You have repetedly stated that this should be 'stamped out'.
Be very careful what you wish for. Once the protectionist genie is let out of the bottle
there is no stopping it. Suppose the
JAA manages to 'stamp out' foreign training. Or even FAA training of 'EU nationals',
which is the phrase you used! Then what? The US might decide
to impose tariffs on Airbus Industries. You can't erect barriers against people and expect them
to sit there and do nothing. That's why I don't think I'm harping on about a 'single issue' here
- if we go along with your line of reasoning I
can see a return to the 1970's with everybody
deciding that different bits of aviation are 'core national interests' that are 'strategic' and
need to be 'defended' from 'unfair' foreign competition. Your yourself have said that flight training is a
'strategic asset for UK PLC'
which implies that training in Spain is unacceptable.
If and when the EU gets its own pointless GPS system up and running - it's been refered to
as the "Common Agricultural Policy in space" -
all the protecionists will no doubt insist that US
GPS receivers will be prohibited on JAA aircraft. Will you agree with them? If you don't you'd be
a hypocrite for only being in favour of protectionism when it directly affects your
job. If you do then you're saying that perfectly good equipment should be
thrown away because it doesn't have 'made in EU' stamped on it.
You also have an amazing amount of faith in the JAA! As far as I can tell it lacks real political power of it's own
and is a bit like the commonwealth - everybody shows up, meets,
gives lip service to the need to stand together and them goes back to doing exactly what they
were doing before complete with national exceptions and predjudices. What makes you think they can pull this off?
Please answer as I'm genuninly curious...
theRolfe
PS - I know somebody who heard from somebody else that "Go" aren't very good.
When you get back from Naples can you give me a free flight?
Last edited by theRolfe2; 1st April 2002 at 16:16.