2 news
October 28,2009
Companies find unique ways to decrease
costs, increase efficiency during recession
BY AKIRAH JUSTICE
Reporter
During 2008 and 2009 due to the
continuous economic downfall, com
panies like FedEx and Southwest Air
lines have managed to save money
without cutting jobs. Recently, large
companies have been getting creative
in their efforts.
Most recently. Southwest Airlines
found a way to save a large sum of
money. In the thousands of flights ev
ery day, flight attendants find them
selves asking fliers if they would like a
lemon or lime with their drink.
All too often the flier would ask for
a lime, creating a wasteful and expen
sive excess of lemon. In order to cut back
on waste. Southwest Airlines has de
cided to no longer serve lemons on
flights. This plan went into effect Octo
ber 1 and is expected to save around
$100,000 a year.
Although this plan may upset plenty
of frequently flying lemon lovers, it will
be effective in saving. Now that the
airline is no longer wasting items, they
are able to provide free baggage check,
allowing customers to benefit from
the cutbacks.
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Delivery trucks often have to sit at a
traffic light waiting for a chance to turn
left. Although the gas wasted may not
seem like enough to completely avoid
left turns, over a year it can add up and
take a huge toll on a company. FedEx
has decided to map their routes to only
use right turns.
Software is used to navigate the driv
ers around while completely staying
away from left turns and stoplights that
may run up the fuel bill. Most delivery
companies are on board with this new
installation, hoping for and expecting
progress and profit.
In combination with the navigation
system, UPS has also turned to alter
native fuels such as hydrogen and elec
tric cars. With this improvement
UPS will not only be saving money but
the company will also be helping to
lessen the harmful effects on
the environment.
Schools in Los Angeles are reacting
to budget cuts differently. Classrooms
are jam packed with students, averag
ing around forty per classroom. Stu
dents and teachers are both feeling the
burden of these overcrowded rooms.
The students are not always seated in a
desk; they often find themselves sitting
on the floor.
Teachers that get bound to this situ
ation often have an abundance of pa
pers to grade. With these rising re
sponsibilities, the pay in return is
steadily dwindling. As the expecta
tions keep rising, teachers are expected
to raise test scores and help every in
dividual student meet the constantly
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changing graduation requirements. In
classrooms filled with nearly fifty stu
dents, how can teachers be expected to
provide specific attention to one?
With no change in sight, large com
panies and schools are attacking the eco
nomic crisis with their own approaches.
While large companies attempt to avoid
firing workers with their out of the or
dinary ideas, schools are taking a more
practical approach by just trying to
make what they already have stretch.
Navy SEAL’S Leap Frogs visit Grimsiey
BY BLAIR BLOOMQUIST
Editor-in-Chief
"Leap Frogs," along with a Navy
SEAL motivating team, made an appear
ance at the Aggie-Eagle Classic on Sat
urday, October 3, in coordination with
the Naval Special Warfare Command's
diversity outreach program. The navy
believes a future force of SEAL opera
tors from diverse backgrounds is neces
sary to inspire new ideas and develop
ing capabilities. As a result. Naval Spe
cial Warfare's diversity plan, approved
by the Chief of Naval Operations, in
volves tangible recruiting targets, mea
surable actions and desired results,
small group mentoring, and innovative
marketing programs.
Stationed in San Diego at the Naval
Amphibious Base Coronado, "Leap
Frogs" was created in the late 1960s
when Navy SEALs (an acronym for Sea,
Air, and Land) performed at weekend
air shows across the nation. Parachut
ists who are Navy SEALs and Special
Warfare Combatant-craft Crewman
Commandos (SWCC) comprise the
team. Their events include canopy for
mations that team members perform
with their blue and gold parachutes,
as well as colorful smoke streaming from
the parachutists, brilliant pyrotechnics,
and patriotic presentation of the
American flag.
When not performing at special
events. Leap Frogs execute services in
various global environments since
SEALs are the U.S. Navy's special opera
tions force and the maritime component
of U.S. Special Operations Command.
Their job is to focus on small unit opera
tions, rather than larger operations,
which in turn allows for increased mo
bility and flexibility. SWCC operators
also maintain the inventory of state-of-
the-art, high-performance boats used
for special operations missions.
Appearing at the NC A&T Fan Fest
prior to the game, the Leap Frogs par
ticipated in several activities. They en
tered Aggie Stadium by parachute just
before kickoff of the historic rivalry be
tween NC A&T State University with
N.C. Central on a beautiful, clear Sat
urday night. However, strong swirl
ing winds blew in just as the Leap Frogs
exited their aircraft. The first parachut
ist almost collided with the NC A&T
marching band. Fortunately, he was a
Navy SEAL with over 10,000 jumps and
was able to avoid disaster.
Remaining jumpers made in-air cor
rections, and their jumps were techni
cally perfect. Fans in the stadium
roared when the next-to-last Leap Frog
entered the stadium with a huge Ameri
can flag attached to his body. The last
parachutist carried and delivered the
game ball to midfield. He handed it to
Vice Admiral Joseph Kernan, a Navy
SEAL officer and Senior Military Assis
tant to the Secretary of Defense.
Other honored guests at the pre
game ceremonies included U.S. Repre
sentative Mel Watt of the 12th District
of North Carolina and Mr. William
Goines, who was the first African-
As a Navy SEAL Leap Frog floats down into Aggie Stadium,the
American flag soars through the air with him. The parachutist carried
the game ball and excited the already jubilant crowd. Internet graphic
American Navy SEAL. These gentlemen
met with the Captains from both
football teams and assisted in the coin
toss. North Carolina A&T was victori
ous: in front of 20,000 fans and after
two overtimes, the Aggies beat the
Eagles 23-17.
Earlier in the day, twelve U.S Navy
SEALs participated in and ran a SEAL
Fitness Challenge (SFC) at Grimsiey
High School. The Challenge was an ath
letic competition with an overriding
goal of promoting physical fitness. The
competition consisted of running, push
ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and a swim.
Over 200 aspiring SEALs participated
in this challenge and ten Guilford
County high schools were represented.