| * Uber's drivers can operate largely independently of each other. A local issue does not cascade to affect larger areas. An airline's sub-components largely cannot operate independently; issues on a local level can easily cascade upward to become regional issues, and then regional issues can cascade upward to become national or even global ones, as passengers and deadheading crew members misconnect, late flights become later en route to following destinations, etc. * Uber does not submit route plans to any authority, or deal with issues of transit across controlled borders. Airlines must submit valid flight plans for approval to aviation authorities in the appropriate countries, and routinely must handle transit of aircraft, people and cargo across controlled international borders, planning all aspects in advance. * Uber simply makes use of any available roads and pickup/drop-off zones. Airlines must pay for and sometimes obtain regulatory approval for takeoff and landing slots, use of gates at airports, use of facilities at airports, etc., keeping track of what resources are available and which will be in use at any given time. * Uber famously tells regulators to, effectively, go fuck themselves. Airlines which attempt this are shut down. Immense effort must be dedicated to compliance with applicable safety and commerce regulations at all times. * Uber does not own or maintain the cars its passengers use. Airlines own or lease their aircraft and are responsible for their maintenance, on legally-mandated schedules. Airliner maintenance is a wonder in and of itself. And on and on and on it goes. Again: this ain't a Silicon Valley tech startup. Thinking in terms of even the largest SV startups is going to lead you badly astray. |