Judging one's worth on the job market is never an easy task, but rarely has that process been more in the spotlight than today. This is an emotional issue at every level, yet all are asked to set emotion aside and focus on larger concerns. Ultimately emotions cannot be ignored, for unless the outcome of these compensation calculations is carefully proportioned and falls within an acceptable range as viewed from below, the seeds of disaster will be planted. Labor/management distrust and even hatred have accompanied some airlines' extinction and may have played a key role in their demise.

Airline efforts to fend off the building pressure to penalize the industry for aircraft noise and emissions run into two key difficulties. First, as anyone familiar with the evolution of turbine aircraft powerplants can attest, the road to a cleaner engine is very rough indeed, with much money and time required to achieve each step of improvement. Second, visible signs of progress are hidden deep within the engine's guts with the exception of noise, which at least has some visible changes in fan and nacelle design. All the rest must be taken on faith in the measurements and the measurers.

That's all one can ask after Airbus and Boeing combined to book more than 2,000 aircraft orders last year. Prior to 2005, Boeing's best year was 1989 when it booked 1,120 including McDonnell Douglas orders, according to the Airline Monitor. Airbus's previous peak was 1998 with 556 firm orders. Last year's performance is even more striking in comparison to 2004, when the two combined to sell 622 jets. But few expect a repeat in 2006. "We probably won't get as many orders this year as last year," Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney said last month.

Aegean Airlines yesterday confirmed an order for eight A320s plus 12 options announced in December (ATWOnline, Dec. 13). Aircraft will be powered by IAE V2500s. No delivery schedule was announced. According to Airclaims' CASE database, the carrier currently operates seven 737-400s, four dash 300s and six BAE Systems RJ100s. The new aircraft will replace part of its fleet and also be used for expansion on domestic and international services.

QantasLink said it will begin operating its new Q400s on its Queensland routes today. The five 72-seat aircraft will join the carrier's 50- and 36-seat Dash 8s on services between Brisbane, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns.