Normally this would be a logical post with an article from Reuters about how corporate interests (note that the only two airlines in the article are based in Texas) have once again trumped passenger safety. I would note that oil costs have skyrocketed since Bush took office. I would mention that the economy stinks so no one is flying. But hey, this is the New America. So instead, I'll just start off with this:
And lo, The Bush said, let the planes drop from the sky so that they might see the glory of the Lord more quickly.
Regulators are letting some airlines carry smaller reserves of fuel on international flights to reduce weight and save money, the Federal Aviation Administration said on Monday.
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Carrying heavy debt and battling discounters, big airlines are looking for any savings advantage, especially in fuel use.
This summer, the FAA relaxed a long-standing requirement that aircraft on international flights carry 10 percent extra fuel to cover detours because of weather, navigational problems or the need to extend the flight to an alternate airport.
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So far, American Airlines and Continental Airlines are the only two carriers that have been permitted to carry less fuel, the FAA said.
American, a unit of AMR Corp., hopes to save up to $10.5 million a year by reducing its fuel reserve levels.
