It has been reported that airline pilots are facing increasing pressure from airlines to fly with less fuel in order to save money for the companies. The pilots are being demanded to carry less fuel than they are comfortable with, according to the pilots union. The union has paid for a full-page ad in the newspaper USA Today addressed to "our valued passengers." The ad accuses the airline of "a program of intimidation to pressure your captain to reduce fuel loads." Jet fuel has surpassed labor as the airline industry's greatest expense.
See "US Air pilots feel pressured to cut fuel", Associated Press, CNN Money, July 16, 2008