Airlines Reduce Taxes but Raise Rates

[HoosierGuy]

Once again more evidance that large corporations are predatory and destructive.

This story is a week or so old but when Congress was battling over the debt ceiling the FAA got cut along with the authority to impose some taxes on airlines. That means airlines do not have to pass those taxes on to you when you buy a ticket. But did that reduce the airline tickets? NO! The airlines went ahead and raised their rates.

Now when you buy a ticket it should be $40 or so cheaper because of no taxes. Not so. You Your $250 ticket with taxes is still going to cost $250 because the airline companies are pocketing the money.


http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/26/bu...es-expire.html

On Friday, Congress failed to approve the extension of a bill to keep the Federal Aviation Administration running. Among other things, that meant the agency no longer had the authority to impose the various federal taxes that airlines add to the price of each ticket.

So as of 12:01 a.m. Saturday, the federal government began losing an estimated $25 million a day in tax revenue.

But did airlines simply pass on this savings to customers?

No, they did not.



Jim Hightower | Airline pickpockets strike again

[Just_A_Guy]

Yes, we all know how insanely profitable airlines have been of late . . .

If you think someone's charging you too much--don't buy from them.

If you think suppliers are colluding--report them to the antitrust division of your local AG's office.

Or, you could just tell yourself that they're using that money to keep the otherwise unsustainable benefits packages of their (unionized) employees afloat for that much longer. Doesn't that make you feel better?

[Jennarator]

Grrrr!!! My son will never get to fly in a plane, that is his one real wish!

[Eowyn]

Jerks.

[john doe]

What this country really needs is nationalized industries, and a dictator to run the country. Nothing could ever go wrong with that idea. Just think how much safer and stable we would be if the government would set prices and eliminate competition. I can't imagine how much better off we would be.

[HoosierGuy]

Originally Posted by john doe

What this country really needs is nationalized industries, and a dictator to run the country. Nothing could ever go wrong with that idea. Just think how much safer and stable we would be if the government would set prices and eliminate competition. I can't imagine how much better off we would be.

You are being radical on purpose to make me and other progressive look radical. We are not saying nationalize everything. The subject is the airlines ripping the American public off.

Once again large business has no shame.

[sixpacktr]

I suggest you look at all of the taxes and fees that the airlines pay to the various airports and yes, to Uncle Sam, and see how 'profitable' they are. We are taxed to death in this country, and not one company has ever paid a single penny in taxes. Why? Because they pass those costs along to the consumer. So when all the lib dolts shout we need to tax businesses more in order to 'get them', all they are saying is 'tax everyman more'.

That is the problem right now. We have too many that don't understand how businesses operate and think that they can tax them or regulate them to be 'fair'.

I'm not a fan of businesses, to be honest with you. They chew people up and spit them out too much in my opinion. Once they have milked the last drop of blood from the turnip, they cut you lose without so much as a thank you. But they are operating out of fear right now. Who knows what the clown in the WH is going to do next.

Want to reduce rates in the airline industry? DRILL HERE, DRILL NOW. Instead of $100/barrel (or more) oil, we'd get back down to $30 or $40/barrel. Which would reduce their costs tremendously. But no, that would be too logical. Let's keep paying terrorist regimes for the life blood of our economy...

[Loudmouth_Mormon]

Meh. We're flying Amtrak for the fam vaycay this year.

[bytor2112]

Originally Posted by HoosierGuy

You are being radical on purpose to make me and other progressive look radical. We are not saying nationalize everything. The subject is the airlines ripping the American public off.

Once again large business has no shame.

So, why not rail against......the movie industry? I paid $28 bucks for three to see Captain America. Had we bought soda and pop corn,,,,easily $50 bucks. What about milk? Egad? Or beef?

FYI......publicly traded corporations are owned and accountable to the share holders. Businesses begin and exist to make a profit. Don't like the product or service offered....shop elsewhere.

[bytor2112]

On Friday, Congress failed to approve the extension of a bill to keep the Federal Aviation Administration running. Among other things, that meant the agency no longer had the authority to impose the various federal taxes that airlines add to the price of each ticket.

So as of 12:01 a.m. Saturday, the federal government began losing an estimated $25 million a day in tax revenue.

But did airlines simply pass on this savings to customers?

No, they did not.

My first thought is....haha. But, seriously how obscene...$25 million dollars a day???? What a colossal rip off as usual by the government. I'm sure the airlines are betting on a past due bill from the gubment in the not so distant future. I am always astonished at how some folks are aghast at business earning a profit (not sure the airlines are) and seem unphased by "$25 million dollars a day".....from the worthless, wasteful,out of touch , elitists that are in the White house and on Capital Hill.