Posted on 08/24/2008 2:53:53 PM PDT by BulletBobCo
Announces Latest Missteps In Never-Ending Race To Bottom Of CSI Rankings
Attention, US Airways: it appears you have some serious competition for the title of Stingiest Major US Carrier.
Starting next month, United Airlines will stop handing out free pretzels and cookies to coach fliers across North America... and will even drop free meal service in business class on most flights. "In the wake of high fuel prices and a challenging economic environment, we must continue to examine every aspect of our business and find new ways to improve our day-to-day operations through efficiencies that still meet our customers' expectations," reads a memo to United employees, obtained Monday by The San Francisco Chronicle.
That memo, incidentally, is titled "Catering Changes Provide Value and Options." Still more examples of "value and options" on United flights include higher prices for buy-on-board meals, although passengers will have more choices on what to spend their hard-earned $7 on.
The airline will also stop offering complimentary meals to coach-class passengers on international flights, and will do away with snacks given to passengers on longer trans-continental flights. The airline notes that doing away with free meal service in business class will also allow United to use fewer flight attendants. United spokeswoman Robin Urbanski called the changes "difficult but necessary," adding "we are looking at everything we need to do to offset fuel prices, which are still skyrocketing."
(In a related note... after falling to as low as $112 Monday, oil prices rebounded to around $115 per barrel in trading Tuesday. That's a healthy increase, but still far off the $147 high seen earlier this year --Ed.)
At least one analyst questioned United's latest attempt to, presumably, lose business. "These moves are flat-out stupid," said Forrester Research's Henry Harteveldt to the Chronicle. "The savings they will get doing away with lunch in business class -- they will lose more than that when corporations yank business. "The challenging thing about business is that whether things are good or bad, you have to invest in your product for the sake of keeping customers and to make it harder for competitors to catch up with you," Harteveldt added. "This does nothing to encourage people to pay more because you give more. They really make me question whether the inmates have taken control of the asylum."
The “free” food and drinks were never free. You paid for that stuff in the price of your ticket.
They could reduce the flight attendants to ZERO by simply closing the door once all the passengers are on board. Then just start the engine and go.
“The “free” food and drinks were never free. You paid for that stuff in the price of your ticket.”
Well now you pay the same price for the ticket but don’t get the free meal so it was in fact free.
wha’ no peanuts?
They could but the federales would be awaiting the plane's arrival.
Have you forgotten about the price of fuel? It takes more dollars to drive your car to work. It also takes more dollars to fly a plane across the country.
“Well now you pay the same price for the ticket but don’t get the free meal so it was in fact free.”
No offense, but you sound a lot like a democrat in congress.
“Well, sure. “
Of course, but I love how they let the UAL get away with the lie that they were giving away “free” food and drinks all this time.
Are you defending the thugish pilots union? You must either have a short memory or be willingly ignorant. The pilots union, like other unions, has had a major hand in United's problems. Do you remember the summer of 2000? If you flew United that summer, you would probably remember the work stoppages. The pilots threw a temper trantrum over their deal for ownership of United. The pilots and other unions became part owners of United in 1994 or 1995. These groups immediately started fighting with each other and other shareholders. The unions that they could just skim the extra profits without any recourse. They were very unhappy when the stock price sunk.
If the unions had any sense, they would picket against rat politicians. I would endorse workstoppages on flights with rat politicians. The rats would get the message soon enough.
This is further proof that that Biden is nuts.
The pilots and flight attendants, in unison, should have told this pompous ass Senator to go “eff” himself.
“Have you forgotten about the price of fuel? It takes more dollars to drive your car to work. It also takes more dollars to fly a plane across the country.”
The point is, they are not going to pass along savings. They of course could have raised prices.
lol none taken!
Now the flying public is living the sequel to "The Monkey's Paw", after the dead kid shows up the front door. The fundamental problems that drove United into BK were not solved; the symptoms were treated and the patient was released.
Frequent flier to United Air Lines:
SAYONARA, BUCKWHEAT!
A U.S. Senator should treat people with dignity and respect. The fact that a U.S. Senator would treat employees of the airline industry so shabbily, and only a week after the September 11th attacks, is unbelievable.
As you mentioned, I’m sure these pilots and flight attendants will remember Biden’s words when they are in the voting booth.
As for Obama, I think more and more people seen him for what he is with each passing day. Fear not.
Thank-you for posting.
I miss the old days, when you boarded a plane, were well fed and treated like a queen. I also miss that when headed overseas, Mexico, etc. OUR money was worth so much more than theirs. Now the USA is the bargain basement of the world.
Yeah, we need more of this new world wide economy.....
If they didn’t have any flight attendants, the pilot would have to come into the cabin and explain to people how to fasten their seat belts!
An Old Man Responded: Gosh Aunt Bee, if we are not careful this fall, we may end up with a third world dictator to match.
The airlines are in a difficult situation. Of course the airlines can raise prices. However, the demand for air travel is rather sensitive to the price. If ticket prices are increased to cover fuel costs, demand may fall sharply.
The airlines have excellent talent to analyze impacts of different policies. Sometimes major mistakes are made. Of course the airlines should listen to their pilots. In the final analysis, I trust airline management judgement about operations. I trust pilot judgement about flying aircraft. The pilots union (as well as other unions) has a terrible record regards to operating an airline.
The “thuggish” pilots’ unions have been the ones keeping the airlines flying by conceding to the corporate thieves, having their salaries chopped, their benefits hacked and family flying privileges reduced to red eyes. The airline executives have enjoyed multimillion dollar bonuses during time of furloughs and employee cutbacks.
I’ve never been in favor of unions but until the “executives” realize they are finished without the pilots, then more power to the pilot unions. I guarantee you the pilots spent more time studying for their profession than anyone in the big chairs. Maybe they should swap seats for a month or two and see which one crashes and burns first.
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