LETTERS: Norwegian Air Shuttle not playing fair
To the editor:
While I’m very happy to see an expansion of the geographic reach of our local economy, there’s an important back story missing from the coverage of the Norwegian Air Shuttle Las Vegas service announcement (“Discount carrier on way,” April 21 Review-Journal). Norwegian Air Shuttle has headquartered its operations in Ireland to take advantage of a less strict labor and regulatory environment, counter to U.S. law and the U.S.-European Union Open Skies Agreement.
Norwegian is also hiring pilots under individual contracts through a Singapore hiring company, basing them in Thailand, and flying between Europe and the United States. This means Norwegian’s airplanes will be flown by the cheapest, least-experienced pilots, operating as independent contractors, not employees — while based in an area of the world with some of the weakest oversight of pilot training, qualifications and records.
The airline has no plans to fly to or from its “home” country of Ireland, which raises significant questions about the safety oversight of its operations. Think of U.S. safety regulators policing an airline that doesn’t fly to the U.S. Love it or hate it, regulation and oversight are the main reasons that flying is the safest it’s ever been — safer than riding on an escalator.
Lastly, there’s the issue of jobs. Norwegian’s expansion will be largely offset by contraction on the part of U.S.-based airlines serving the same routes, costing American jobs. Free-market competition is what our country was founded on, but there has to be a level playing field. Norwegian Air Shuttle’s “competitiveness” is possible because it’s offering fares based on unsafe and unfair practices.
U.S. and European labor groups and passenger airlines, and a bipartisan group of more than 185 members of Congress, have weighed in with the Department of Transportation about their concerns with Norwegian Air Shuttle. You can make your voice heard through similar channels and, most effectively, vote with your wallet.
JORDAN KINSLEY
HENDERSON
Net metering
To the editor:
My rooftop solar panels generate more power than I need during the day, but I use that extra power at night. That’s called net metering. NV Energy wants future solar customers to make use of whatever generated energy they can during the day, and NV Energy keeps the rest. That’s called stealing.
The “some people” who want to raise the cap on the number of rooftop solar installations is us — we the people. We want to reduce our utility costs. We don’t see the Las Vegas Valley Water District complaining when we convert lawns to drought-tolerant shrubs.
Man up, NV Energy.
MARK LEON
LAS VEGAS
DMV hours
To the editor:
Since I moved to Las Vegas in 1980, I have always been told that we live in a 24-hour town. Where is it written in granite that the Department of Motor Vehicles has to close every day at 5 p.m.? Knowing full well that there is a major problem trying to take care of everyone, why can’t the department extend its hours? If that requires more staff, then start advertising, hiring and training employees as soon as possible.
DOUGLAS MURPHY
LAS VEGAS
Get out of Middle East
To the editor:
It bothers me that a good many Americans seem to have the attitude that we should have a strong military presence in the Middle East. A short time ago, Fox News commentator Bill O’Reilly hinted that we might have to stay there for another 50 years.
My view is that our presence in the Middle East helps to fuel much of the hatred toward us. China does not seem to have a large problem with terrorism. Perhaps one of the reasons is because China does not have its military spread all over the globe, meddling in the inner workings of other sovereign nations.
GARY MEESE
GOLDEN VALLEY, ARIZ.
