My Solution For The Airline Industry

Recently while on a  flight from Las Vegas to Columbus, it dawned on me how to single-handedly save the airline industry. They've already implemented alternative revenue strategies such as fees to check baggage, fees to select your seat online, fees to board first, etc.

However, they're missing one major opportunity. Here it is: Stop paying flight attendants.

That's right, stop paying flight attendants! Make them work for free. How will they get paid? Require every passenger to give the flight attendants a small tip - just $2 total per passenger per flight.

Airlines spend hundreds of millions of dollars a year on flight attendant salaries. This expense can be completely eliminated, and the flight attendants will be thrilled because they will make more money.

Here's how:

The average flight attendant only makes about $9-$12 an hour, if that. However, if they are only paid via a mandatory $2 tip from all passengers - they will make twice that amount or more.

Think about it: Domestic flights are usually served by 1-4 flight attendants, depending on their size. A large aircraft that seats 150 people will make 4 flight attendants $300 that they can split to about $75 each - and that's just for one flight. Most flight attendants serve anywhere from 2-5 flights a day.

A small regional aircraft that seats only 50 people can make the 1 flight attendant $100.

Even if the flights are not full, flight attendants will still end up making more money.

In turn, the airlines will be saving hundreds of millions annually, and they can pass the savings along to the passengers. The passengers will be more then happy to accept cheaper airfares, and they certainly aren't going to complain about a measly $2 tip.

Now, tell me that wouldn't work!