My accountant told me that he can't 'see voting for Obama' because once he's in office he will push for reparations for slavery because he 'has to' which I assume is because he's black.

I thought that was the funniest thing that I'd heard. Then it hit: He's a racist. Yes? or just frightened...

How to keep customers. Interesting question.

In this day and age just treating customers better isn't enough anymore. You have to treat people well, have the cleanest planes and charge the least for that service. Can it be done?

I think that people now have become accustomed to the delays and rudeness and other treatment. If there were an airline like I said above that treated people better and cleaner planes and provided better service and was slightly more expensive, they'd probably be out of business pretty quick. They'd not be able to make a profit to save their lives.

I remember from my retail class in college some of the games people play with your mind. Like having a filthy store. Filthy store equates to lower prices. I investigated that after that class and found out that the filthy smaller chain grocery that redefined filthy actually had the higher prices in the area. It was darker and dirtier than their competition and people generally flocked to that store over the cleaner and brighter lit competitor in spite of the higher prices.

People like dirty, they like the appearance of saving money. The airlines have just gone over the top. Couple that with the charade that is the security theatre people have to get through and then the endless delays and you have a pissed of customer.

I think that the problem in the airlines is the same that has infected other business in this country. The 'management teams' demand better treatment and are in the position to get it. They ruthlessly cut costs and service and then give themselves raises and bonuses as if it's their right to do so. They sit atop the corporation and ride it for their own benefit. They act like getting the highest salary and the biggest bonuses are their sole purpose for existing. They bleed all of the available money out of the corporation and shift the money 'up stairs' for their own consumption.

All hail the mighty corporate chieftains of big business. All hail their mighty leadership decisions and their massive perks and tailored suits and huge teams of people that work extra hard to 'limit costs' and deliver the saving to themselves.

The same thing is happening in nearly all of business in America. Especially in health care. Why pay a doctor a six-figure salary when a management team at some insurance company can get the money. Why pay for an operation when the CEO needs a new jet of their kids need to go to that private ivy league school. It's hard living in the upper crust in America.

Kill unions because their 'greedy', not because they are important to the lower classes and by all means ignore the monsters feeding off the corporation's core. And hey, the government is not a small player in what's ailing the industry either. They under staff flight centers and control towers all in the effort to 'save money' and the service is lacking but there are 'loyal' corporations lined up with their hands out waiting for choice government contracts (no-bid?) to take over the functions that the government is doing now and the government is only too happy to deliver this onto the altar of corporate greed and incompetence.

Things have to change but I can't think how. One thing is for sure, life is going to get interesting... The race to the bottom continues.