In These Times, Airlines Need a Break

James Gilden has given a rather one-sided opinion in his column “Refunds Now the Target of Customer Complaints” (Nov. 4). He neglects to consider that the airlines took an enormous hit after the Sept. 11 tragedy, so tremendous that the U.S. government saw fit to provide bailout funds to cover some of the losses. Would he prefer that the American taxpayer cover the costs of voluntary changes on the part of airline customers, who, however kindhearted their intentions, are not being forced to alter their plans for safety or other mandatory reasons?

There are valid reasons for cutoff dates. A ticket purchase is a legal contract, and both parties have obligations to fulfill its conditions. Airlines have been more than generous for the most part in waiving fees whenever possible and have bent over backward to attract customers in light of the huge drop in air travel volume after the Sept. 11 tragedy.

Gilden also did not bring up the fact that since then, many customers have sought to profit off the airlines’ misfortunes by asking for even deeper price cuts than the bargains that they are already providing in order to build business back up.

Customers should realize that if airlines go out of business, they will inevitably see an increase in ticket prices as competition contracts. If they want to show their patriotism, they might consider supporting American businesses rather than seeking to suck the lifeblood out of the ailing airline industry.

LINDA WEST

Long Beach