Reaching Higher Coalition

As the U.S. airline industry attempts to use “oil speculators” to draw attention away from the chronically low passenger satisfaction rates and an array of new fees, a new online source, www.TheAirlineOilSpin.com was launched today to encourage the public to see through the industry’s spin on the issue.

The site is a project of the Reaching Higher Coalition, a growing alliance of community groups, passenger rights organizations, clergy, elected leaders, and airport workers who are committed to improving standards in the U.S. airline industry. TheAirlineOilSpin.com will function as an information source and forum to discuss and learn about the airline industry’s role in exacerbating their oil-related dilemmas, while at the same time benefiting from massive public subsidies.

“Shortchanged” shows that the airline industry has benefited from enormous taxpayer support yet has failed to provide a fair return on the public’s investment, creating poor quality jobs and providing inadequate security and services for passengers. The study concludes that despite the industry’s current financial crisis, it is essential that major subsidy recipients such as American, United and Delta along with other airlines take measures to address these issues - both to improve safety, service and job standards as well as to ensure the long-term health of the airline industry.