The following is reprinted from O'Dwyer's PR Services Report's online daily edition. I had to pass it along because it is one of the most insensitive and egregious PR blunders I have ever seen. It's no wonder the customer satisfaction scores among U.S. airlines routinely rank among the worst in any business sector, considering this is how they treat their own employees. The article speaks for itself. I applaud the editorial team at O'Dwyer's for reporting this story.

NORTHWEST BASHED FOR MONEY-SAVING TIPS

Northwest Airlines says it's sorry for handing out a booklet called "101 Ways to Save Money" to employees cut from the payroll as the nation's No. 5 carrier restructures operations under Chapter 11.

The booklet recommends money-saving tips such as buying jewelry in pawnshops, auto parts from junkyards and giving children "hand-me-down" clothes as gifts.

"Don't be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash,'' states the booklet that was created by NEAS, an employee assistance outfit based in Wisconsin.

Robert Roach, VP at the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, told Bloomberg News the 165-page booklet is "degrading." The union is penning a letter of protest to Northwest CEO Doug Steenland.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA issued a statement saying "the geniuses that run Northwest Airlines are insulting not only our intelligence, but our dignity as well.''

NWA has stopped handing out the booklet. ``We sincerely apologize to our employees for any offense this list caused them,'' said Crystal Knotek, senior VP-ground operations.

The airline is taking "appropriate action" to make sure it reviews all communications material in the future.