Half-Empty Airplane A Testament To Higher Air Fares?

On my United Airlines flight from Houston to Fort Lauderdale, Florida yesterday, the airplane was half-empty. The Boeing 737 plane on this route, which I fly every week, is typically always full.

Image: kangshutters / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Since the merger between Continental and United started two years ago, I have noticed fares rising more and more, to the point where it has now doubled. As a result, I have had to cut back on the frequency of my travels between my offices in Houston and Miami. I have wondered when others will cut back on travel as well. I think this morning’s flight, was an example of things to come.

If United Airlines continues to raise fares, no doubt, less people will be traveling. There was a time, a couple of years ago, where they would offer those empty seats at last-minute discounted rates. But, for whatever reason, that seems to no longer exist as well. At the same time, United reports marginal profits or loses money, and would seemingly rather fly with empty seats.

I have also noticed over the past year to 18 months that, Southwest Airlines, which used to fly for “peanuts”, now has matching expensive airfares to most cities where United flies. And, my luck, Southwest never has the Houston to Fort Lauderdale route on sale.

Hopefully, the spirit of capitalism will soon return to the airline industry, perhaps with new competition, and lower prices.

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About the author: Bruce Coane is an attorney who specializes in labor and employment law, and, immigration law, with offices in Florida and Texas. He may be reached at houstonlaw@aol.com, 713-850-0066 or 305-538-6800.

Mediation of Employment Law Cases by Attorney Bruce Coane

Here is my latest video which talks about the mediation of employment law cases. It explains how mediation works and what benefit it may have for employees and employers.

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About the author: Bruce Coane is an attorney who specializes in labor and employment law, and, immigration law, with offices in Florida and Texas. He may be reached at houstonlaw@aol.com, 713-850-0066 or 305-538-6800.

90 Years Old is Too Soon to Retire

I read a story, recently, in the Miami Herald, which reminded me about one of my clients. The story was about Sister Marie Schramko, the 95 year old assistant principal at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale. The article talked about how amazing it is that she is still working at the age of 95.

This story reminded me of my client, Rosa Lopez, who at 92 was working as a Registered Nurse at Miami Behavioral Health Center until she was unceremoniously fired after 30 years of service, with no notice and no severance pay. Now, 93, Lopez still desires to work but has been unable to find employment.

Lopez has filed a federal court lawsuit against Miami Behavioral Health Center, alleging discrimination based on age and disability. In particular, she alleges that her supervisor Ron Espinoza made comments to her that she needed to retire because of her advanced age and medical condition.

While most of us can only dream of living to age 90 or beyond, it is truly amazing that these two South Florida women, have been able to continue working well-into their 90’s.

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About the author: Bruce Coane is an attorney who specializes in labor and employment law, and, immigration law, with offices in Florida and Texas. He may be reached at houstonlaw@aol.com, 713-850-0066 or 305-538-6800.

Facebook Users Talk About Giving Employers Their Passwords

NBC-Miami interview of me regarding employers asking for Facebook passwords

Read the full article here.

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About the author: Bruce Coane is an attorney who specializes in labor and employment law, and, immigration law, with offices in Florida and Texas. He may be reached at houstonlaw@aol.com, 713-850-0066 or 305-538-6800.

ICE Workers go "Postal"

Earlier this month, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) workers went “postal” in the Los Angeles office of ICE. One ICE officer shot another three times, and a third ICE officer shot and killed the original shooter. Havoc ensued at the ICE office with smoke, blood and the smell of gunpowder. Did any of this surprise me….no, not at all.

As many people know, ICE agents are gun-toting employees of the Department of Homeland Security. They are well known for arresting undocumented workers and for conducting immigration raids. What many people may not know, is that many employees of Homeland Security (including ICE) don’t like each other and don’t get along. I know this from talking to Homeland Security employees who talk about backstabbing and other unfair employment practices. While the workers ideally would work as a team, they often do not like each other, which impairs their ability to work together. And, as in the case in Los Angeles, when they carry guns, the dislike for one another can escalate to shooting one another.

I currently represent an asylum office employee (within Homeland Security) and he has reported unfair promotions and assignments, and friendships based on national origin, etc within the Miami asylum office. In another case I handled against the U.S. Department of Treasury, I represented a gun-carrying agent who had her gun taken away when the government thought she was mentally unstable.

From my experience meeting with Homeland Security employees, as well as watching how they make arbitrary decisions on immigration cases, it is obvious there is much disharmony and disagreement in their offices. When you add guns to that mixture, it was only a matter of time until someone would go “postal” and shoot their fellow worker with whom they disagreed.

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About the author: Bruce Coane is an attorney who specializes in labor and employment law, and, immigration law, with offices in Florida and Texas. He may be reached at houstonlaw@aol.com, 713-850-0066 or 305-538-6800.