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Airlines ask travelers to push Congress on oil prices

Posted by Paul Makishima, Globe Assistant Sunday Editor July 10, 2008 12:43 PM

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Hardships make for strange bedfellows. In an unusual move, 12 US carriers -- AirTran, Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Midwest, Northwest, Southwest, United and US Airways -- are asking passengers to push Congress to rein in oil speculators.
In an open letter to customers signed by CEOs, the carriers note that 20 years ago, 21 percent of oil contracts were traded by speculators and now, with fuel prices surging, that figure is 66 percent, which adds an estimated $30 to $60 to the cost of each barrel of oil. That translates to increases of 22 percent to 44 percent, based on this morning's price of $137.85.
The letter directs you to a website called StopOilSpeculationNow where you can digitally sign a form e-mail to be sent to your representatives.
Strange and difficult times, these.

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2 comments so far...

  1. Thank you airline CEO's for finally speaking up.
    Congress and the Senate have mostly gutless members.
    To quicken a congressional desision as to what to do?
    I urge you to ground your fleet -you either instigate this grounding or have your union leaders do it.
    Grounding should take place just before congress summer recess.
    During this grounding you will get public support to - yes I do not believe I am going to say it - the creation of an oil "import czar' whom in his wisdom decides
    that effective immediately - no crude shall enter these United States at a price any higher then ? let us say US $ 70.00 per barrel. This price to be reviewed by me (your self appointed czar) either weekly or montly.(I like to make a few bucks too!)
    I urge you all to start thinking in this direction because what we are experiencing today is not working

    Posted by deboca July 10, 08 08:50 PM

  1. Please help those who need it most:
    Truckers and those who solely depend on fuel.
    Also, your help is needed to assist the airline industry, without which this country cannot function.

    Posted by mary quattrini July 11, 08 10:27 AM
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