The Editor, Sir:

Our current leaders have proven to be pride-oriented above all and very inflexible. All research proves that Air Jamaica is so deeply off par with industry trends, that it will never be profitable as a national carrier.

This is a financial fact, supported by the fact that even profitable airlines are seeking cover in mergers to mitigate risk in this tumultuous industry. Yet, we ignore the reality in the name of pride and old-fashioned stupidity.

Imagine a 'Carib Air' owned by many with a reduced burden, a united pride, a greater market loyalty, common bond and more importantly, operating profitably without state funding. The government must take note now. Royalty from loyal Jamaican flyers like myself cannot generate a profit for us. Sometimes, you need to unite to get it right, which is the same reason we have a West Indies cricket team with worldly traits. Cricket brings me to my next point. If the older folks with the power in the past and current administration love cricket so much, employ a Carib air strategy to Air Jamaica.

Penny wise and pound foolish

While I am on the subject of cricket, a very poor sport when compared to soccer and track and field, it is penny wise and pound foolish to invest seven billion in a mediocre million-dollar sport that lacks appeal. We had to invest in something but we should gauge our priorities with reality. I know this show of money was 99 per cent pride again and one per cent other. Investing aggressively in cricket and Air Jamaica cannot boost tourism. If we put that money into tourism directly, then we would have to start investing in sand.

No clapping from the other side either, becaus the Opposition is scoring points by pointing out the government's abnormalities, they are not putting a vision forward. To win over the smarter, younger generation, you better present a better plan or plan to fail. So I guess we the well educated and fruitfully astute visionary Jamaicans are stuck with two lame ducks indefinitely, as we have no representation in either the archaic political system or its overage leaders.

It is very, very irritating to watch my beautiful island go astray while the brilliant minds are cast aside and ignored in every way.

I am, etc.,

DALE MORRIS

everel2007@yahoo.com

Long Island

New York

Via Go-Jamaica