THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 23, 1996 TAG: 9605230023
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 32 lines
In the wake of the recent ValuJet airline tragedy, much is being said by federal officials about the level of safety of low-cost airlines.
The public needs to understand that these officials, including the Federal Aviation Administration administrator responsible for our nation's air safety, are politically appointed. As such it would be ludicrous to believe that they are going to admit that low-cost airlines are unsafe. To do so would be political suicide.
So, as the investigation into this most-recent accident continues, you can expect these officials to continue to say that low-cost airlines are as safe as the major airlines.
We can also expect that the Department of Transportation inspector general who has disagreed with the FAA administrator about the level of safety of low-cost airlines will have a short-lived political career. This is simply the way our political system works, and our air-transportation system suffers because of it.
Having been a captain for a major airline for the past 18 years, I am very familiar with the costs associated with operating an airline. I would simply remind everyone that an airline seat is no different from any other product or service; that is, you get what you pay for. Remember this the next time you buy an airline ticket, and also remember how the political system works the next time a federal official tells you that low-cost airlines are just as safe as the majors.
DAN BOWEN
Virginia Beach, May 15, 1996 by CNB