Airlines Didn’t Adjust to Changing Climate

“Delta Unveils Sweeping Cutbacks” (Sept. 23) errs in saying that Delta and other large, traditional airlines have been on a downward spiral since 9/11.

These airlines have been on a downward trajectory for much longer than the 2001-05 period. Look at Delta’s financial figures for 2000 and you will see an airline hemorrhaging badly. Sept. 11 certainly added to the airlines’ woes.

Once Congress eagerly stepped in within one month of 9/11 and gave the airlines substantial taxpayer subsidies, the airlines should have quickly adjusted to their aggravated plight and cut spending through staffing reductions, reduced pay, reduced flights, etc.

The taxpayers’ bailout should have prompted them to restructure drastically and quickly, but they did neither.

The American taxpayer will again be asked to bail out the irresponsible corporations and their clueless management with such actions as the shifting of pensions to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., which is already in a huge financial hole.

Should not the U.S. government and the American taxpayers cease rewarding such irresponsible financial and security failures?

Ben C. Grage

San Diego