Pilots complain airlines restrict fuel to cut cost - Airlines Say Pilots Lie

From the AP: Pilots complain airlines restrict fuel to cut cost

WASHINGTON - Pilots are complaining that their airline bosses, desperate to cut costs, are forcing them to fly uncomfortably low on fuel.

You heard it here first: 

United Airlines Fuel-less Skies (June 23, 2008)

Friday was a first. We departed a bit late but the flight was managed well when we boarded and things progressed nicely as we headed west.  Then, unexpectedly, the pilot announced that our non-stop flight was going to put down in Denver for a thirty minute fueling.

Otherwise, we would not make our destination.

In these pricey times, while the airlines are unforgiving to passengers who need to rebook a flight, have two suitcases to check, or forget to keep their mileage account current, the carriers haul as little fuel as possible to reduce weight and save money.

Someone miscalculated and we did not have enough fuel. No rebates, no coupons, no extra miles were offered.  All we got was the official  apology from the pilot who pointed out that "It is better to be on the ground and wishing you were in the air than being in the air and wishing you were on the ground."

United Airlines Fuel-less Skies II (June 27, 2008)

United is two for two this past week with my flights. Heading west we had to make a stop in Denver since we were running out of fuel, United Airlines Fuel-less Skies. That was Friday.

On Wednesday I was scheduled to fly into Denver. Wind sheer caused us to circle and then the pilot announced we were to head to Fort Collins since we were running out of fuel. That is a twenty minute flight. We refueled for forty minutes, took off and twenty minutes later landed in Denver.

In the AP story the airlines prove they are full of it:

American and US Airways blame the complaints on heated labor negotiations — both are in contract talks with the complaining unions.

"It's not a safety issue; it's a contract issue," said John Hotard, a spokesman for American.

I have been there. If either of my flights had run into major weather problems, there might not have been enough fuel to make a safe landing without declaring a fuel emergency.