# Why should the gov't bail out the airlines?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-the-govt-bail-out-the-airlines/82573>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [September 19, 2001, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-the-govt-bail-out-the-airlines/82573 "2001-09-19T13:18:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-the-govt-bail-out-the-airlines/82573/21 "2001-09-21T01:03:55Z")

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jshore wrote:

> [@](#):
>
> I think the distinction of the most efficient form of transportation is the bicycle.

You’re right. I meant to say that the Boeing 747 is the most efficient _motor vehicle_ ever built.

[QUOTE]  
I am also under the impression that rail is more efficient than planes, although I could be wrong on that.

[QUOTE]

Don’t forget, it’s _miles_ per gallon per passenger we’re concerned about here. Sure, a 600-passenger diesel train burns less fuel per hour than a 600-passenger 747, but the 747 covers a _lot_ more miles in that hour than the train does.

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**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-the-govt-bail-out-the-airlines/82573/22 "2001-09-21T01:13:04Z")

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The Monterey County Herald reported late last week that both United Airlines and American Airlines were fined millions recently due to lax security practices (read: didn’t do jack) discovered during routine checks by the FAA.

I say let the government (and the taxpayers) bail out the rest of the airlines and to heck with UA & AA.

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**Author:** ![Freedom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Freedom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freedom)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-the-govt-bail-out-the-airlines/82573/23 "2001-09-21T02:02:21Z")

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I’m for bailing out the airlines, but they damned well cancel their dividends this year.

If they pay out millions on their stock, then it is bullshit to give them a bailout.

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**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\
**Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-should-the-govt-bail-out-the-airlines/82573/24 "2001-09-21T14:54:12Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Freedom \*  
> I’m for bailing out the airlines, but they damned well cancel their dividends this year.
> 
> If they pay out millions on their stock, then it is bullshit to give them a bailout.

I second that, **Freedom**.

A dividend is a portion of the business’ _profits_ returned to the investor. If they’ve got profits, they don’t need help - and if they receive our help, they’d better not be doling some of it out as ‘profits’.

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