Airline Regulation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Airline Regulation - Essay Example Also, back then, ticket prices did not depend on the time of purchase (Whitaker 7). If a flight was missed for any reason, the ticket is still valid for the next available flight and on any alternate airline flying the same route; all this without any additional cost for the passenger. Reservations too were much simpler – all it took was a phone call. There was enough room to stretch one’s legs and the food was much better that what is being dished up these days (The Economist 67). However, it is through conscious consumer choice - where cheaper prices were preferred to luxurious traveling experience – that the changes came about. Hence, this line of argument for re-regulation is weak and not sound. Much had been said about the reduced prices during the de-regulated period. However, there are some definite costs, though not very conspicuous. The recent plane crash accidents are a good example. The December 1994 crash of American Eagle ATR 72 and the ValuJet McDonnell Douglas DC-10 crash had significantly added to the public unrest. Analysts now generally agree that â€Å"low-cost† is synonymous to â€Å"high-risk†. The airlines industry had promoted the concept of â€Å"low-cost† travel quite successfully, but there is a lot of illusion attached to it. The advertisements don’t reveal the complete reality – minimum seat-pitch, cheap meals, inconvenient scheduling, etc. There is also evidence that security had been compromised on more than a few occasions in the name of cost-saving. In this circumstance, regulative restrictions on the marketing practices of the industry are quite appropriate. The regulations would screen for deceptive or unreali stic claims. It will lead to more factual advertisements that serve the public need for accurate and reliable information. It will also empower the consumer in demanding more stringent security standards, especially in light of the events of September the 11th. (Whitaker 7) An