Haiti, Airlines, and Corporate Greed

Haiti, Airlines, and Corporate Greed

Thanks to the twitter scam saying that American Airlines was giving free passage to doctors and the airline saying that they were not going to give free passage to any doctor who wanted to go there to help, we have seen corporate greed rear its ugly head again. JetBlue spokeswoman Alison Croyle said:

"We're not offering free transportation for just any doctors who walk up and want to fly there."

Corporate greed is pretty well known, but instances like this really stand out. What is ironic about this is that the publicity would have given people a warm feeling in their hearts toward the airlines, thus increasing their profit long-term. I would say that American Airlines really shot itself in the foot with this one.

Here's another alternative that could be considered a compromise. How about offering the doctors who want to go and help with the disaster a largely reduced rate. I, for one, would like to see a CEO donate one of his huge bonuses to helping make this happen.

Bush bailed out the airlines in 2001. It would be nice to see the airlines respond in some semblance of humanitarianism and do something that is right and good for people. We already know how bail-outs are used to pay CEOs obscene bonuses. There are many people who can barely afford to buy groceries who have donated to help the people in Haiti. Why can't a CEO put off buying something that he really doesn't need to survive in order to help some people?

By making at least some effort to help when people are in trouble and in need, it would not only be a wonderful thing to do, but would make people more willing to use your service in the future. An increase in patrons is going to translate into an increase in bonuses for the airlines. If the airlines would think things through, I think they would see that their choice of action has been unwise.