Why are the Fulltime Workers cleaning planes for United Airlines at National Airport getting paid only $10/hr?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand this entire argument about what unskilled workers should be paid.

It is pretty simple to me: they get paid what the market says they should be paid. It is so for just about every profession whether they are teachers, grocery store cashiers, day care workers, fast food workers, etc.

My brother emigrated to this country and was working at minimum wage which did not enable him to support his family. So what did he do? He worked a second job and would spend evenings and weekends when he was free attending classes and developing a skill that would pay better. It took him a few years but as a result of his efforts he became an IT professional and today earns over $150K annually.

Not once did I ever hear him say that he should in some way get a leg up that he was not willing to work for. I admire him for what he achieved and for the lesson that he imparted to his children - who are all doing well - that you have to work and earn your way in life.

There are a lot of companies that do stupid things like set your schedule on a week by week basis so that you don't have a set, predictable schedule that would be compatible with having a second job. Also, should it be necessary to have to work two jobs, 70-80 hours a week just to have enough to make do on?

Again, the TRUE cost of the labor is not being reflected here, what's actually happening is that the workers are in a sense subsidizing the company when they take on a second job to pay their living expenses. Same with those workers who have to rely on food stamps or other government subsidies - it's basically taxpayers subsidizing that company.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of low paying jobs that deserve to have a higher pay. As an RN, I find it shocking that CNAs start at $11 an hour at my hospital. And this is considered skilled labor considering they have to be licensed. I couldn't do my job without them! It does make me wonder what will happen if/when establishments Like McDs raise their rate higher than what CNAs make. I mean...flipping burgers for a higher pay or changing incontinent pads on a regular basis...what do you think people will do?

Both in order to make ends meet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand this entire argument about what unskilled workers should be paid.

It is pretty simple to me: they get paid what the market says they should be paid. It is so for just about every profession whether they are teachers, grocery store cashiers, day care workers, fast food workers, etc.

My brother emigrated to this country and was working at minimum wage which did not enable him to support his family. So what did he do? He worked a second job and would spend evenings and weekends when he was free attending classes and developing a skill that would pay better. It took him a few years but as a result of his efforts he became an IT professional and today earns over $150K annually.

Not once did I ever hear him say that he should in some way get a leg up that he was not willing to work for. I admire him for what he achieved and for the lesson that he imparted to his children - who are all doing well - that you have to work and earn your way in life.

There are a lot of companies that do stupid things like set your schedule on a week by week basis so that you don't have a set, predictable schedule that would be compatible with having a second job. Also, should it be necessary to have to work two jobs, 70-80 hours a week just to have enough to make do on?

Again, the TRUE cost of the labor is not being reflected here, what's actually happening is that the workers are in a sense subsidizing the company when they take on a second job to pay their living expenses. Same with those workers who have to rely on food stamps or other government subsidies - it's basically taxpayers subsidizing that company.

Exactly. My taxes subsidize United Airline shareholders. How can that be??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When you look for tickets on orbitz, do you do a search for the cheapest flights, or a search for the airline that pays the highest wages?


There is your answer.

+1.

But shhhh...don't try to inject rationality into the DCUM political forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The answer to your question, OP, is that the people are easily replaceable so they don't have to pay those workers that much. It's unskilled labor, and unskilled labor generally pays for shit. I don't really understand your umbrage.

Remember this, next time you think that TSA security theater keeps you safe in the air. "Easily, replaceable" and "unskilled labor" are the weak link in the air security system. If airlines pay and treat them like sh#%, there's always a risk that some terrorist group will find someone willing to stash a weapon and worse on board a cleaned aircraft for a sizable reward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

And what about assistant profs with PhD and postdocs and years of experience making $12 an hour teaching at university? No health benefits.

OP, there are many underpaid professions in this world.

Fools. So they chose poorly and wasted their money doing it. They should have become welders.

And they are not "underpaid". They are paid what they are willing to accept.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, OP. I did find a clip of it on NBC4.


I agree that the pay is egregious. However, these workers do not work for the airlines. They work for independent contractors. Does that make it okay? NO. But, it does have different rules. For the woman who was interviewed that made 8.50 an hour, I did not hear anyone ask her how long she had worked there.

For the Skycaps --they get tips. That is like working as a waitress or waiter. For the one who has worked there for 50 years--he must have done okay, or surely he would have found another job.

For those blaming Virginia laws, DCA falls under MWAA. I'm not sure what there rules are.

No company is keeping anyone from going out and getting a better job. Cleaning airplanes is pretty unskilled work. I would hope that no one expects to be doing that forever.

The old "independent contractors" excuse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a lot of low paying jobs that deserve to have a higher pay. As an RN, I find it shocking that CNAs start at $11 an hour at my hospital. And this is considered skilled labor considering they have to be licensed. I couldn't do my job without them! It does make me wonder what will happen if/when establishments Like McDs raise their rate higher than what CNAs make. I mean...flipping burgers for a higher pay or changing incontinent pads on a regular basis...what do you think people will do?

Both in order to make ends meet.

... which is one more reason NOT to eat at McDonalds.

[Anonymous]

well dc raised the minimum wage and walmart decided to not open 2 stores in the worst areas of DC. LOLZ

[Anonymous]

The reason why airlines are making record profits (and don't feel market pressure to pass in the form of lower tix prices along the incredible fuel savings they've enjoyed) is that the government has allowed competition to be substantially lessened through mergers. This is the fault of both the Bush and Obama Administrations. (America West-US Air, Delta-Northwest, United-Continental, American-US Airways). The result is a cosy, concentrated industry where the airlines have withdrawn capacity to keep ticket prices high, control fortress hubs and face no competition on many routes. Even Southwest isn't much of a disruptive market force anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The reason why airlines are making record profits (and don't feel market pressure to pass in the form of lower tix prices along the incredible fuel savings they've enjoyed) is that the government has allowed competition to be substantially lessened through mergers. This is the fault of both the Bush and Obama Administrations. (America West-US Air, Delta-Northwest, United-Continental, American-US Airways). The result is a cosy, concentrated industry where the airlines have withdrawn capacity to keep ticket prices high, control fortress hubs and face no competition on many routes. Even Southwest isn't much of a disruptive market force anymore.

Agree. It's a corrupted industry.

Thank you, Obama and Bush, not to mention all the other Hill politicians who got wined and dined by airline lobbyists, and voted accordingly. Well done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The reason why airlines are making record profits (and don't feel market pressure to pass in the form of lower tix prices along the incredible fuel savings they've enjoyed) is that the government has allowed competition to be substantially lessened through mergers. This is the fault of both the Bush and Obama Administrations. (America West-US Air, Delta-Northwest, United-Continental, American-US Airways). The result is a cosy, concentrated industry where the airlines have withdrawn capacity to keep ticket prices high, control fortress hubs and face no competition on many routes. Even Southwest isn't much of a disruptive market force anymore.

And yet ticket prices are the lowest they've been in years.. Wonder why?

There is still healthy competition, but the mergers allowed for better economies of scale. I fly a lot and most domestic routes I fly from this area, there are at least two airlines taht fly it directly, if you include all 3 airports in the mix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason why airlines are making record profits (and don't feel market pressure to pass in the form of lower tix prices along the incredible fuel savings they've enjoyed) is that the government has allowed competition to be substantially lessened through mergers. This is the fault of both the Bush and Obama Administrations. (America West-US Air, Delta-Northwest, United-Continental, American-US Airways). The result is a cosy, concentrated industry where the airlines have withdrawn capacity to keep ticket prices high, control fortress hubs and face no competition on many routes. Even Southwest isn't much of a disruptive market force anymore.

Agree. It's a corrupted industry.

Thank you, Obama and Bush, not to mention all the other Hill politicians who got wined and dined by airline lobbyists, and voted accordingly. Well done.

Airlines are historically horrible investments.

You should definitely go buy some.

I once had to take a flight that someone had previously puked on. The unskilled labor figured the best solution was to douse the puke stain with coffee grinds...it didn't work...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The reason why airlines are making record profits (and don't feel market pressure to pass in the form of lower tix prices along the incredible fuel savings they've enjoyed) is that the government has allowed competition to be substantially lessened through mergers. This is the fault of both the Bush and Obama Administrations. (America West-US Air, Delta-Northwest, United-Continental, American-US Airways). The result is a cosy, concentrated industry where the airlines have withdrawn capacity to keep ticket prices high, control fortress hubs and face no competition on many routes. Even Southwest isn't much of a disruptive market force anymore.

And yet ticket prices are the lowest they've been in years.. Wonder why?

There is still healthy competition, but the mergers allowed for better economies of scale. I fly a lot and most domestic routes I fly from this area, there are at least two airlines taht fly it directly, if you include all 3 airports in the mix.

Source? They're not low, especially considering how much the airlines now separately add on costs to published fare, including baggage, average seat room, telephone reservations, food and beverage.