Posted on 08/26/2004 1:38:44 PM PDT by travelagent
Is this a bad thing for the consumer? You bet. There is some major spin happening on the reality of what this new and improved Northwest Airline fee is being called. A surcharge, I don’t think so. Clearly this is yet one more fare increase that is being raised up the flag pole.
Think about this...Last time you walked into a bank to deposit your paycheck, were you charged extra because you dealt with a person instead of an ATM?
When you bought a magazine at the bookstore, were you slapped with a "service fee" because you purchase from an employee instead of its Web site?
No, of course not.
This is not really a Travel agent (online or brick and motor) issue it is a consumer issue. To date other airlines are sitting back and watching. If other airlines follow suit on this then this is the tip of the iceberg.
The greed of the major carriers is out of control. While they continue to bloat their exec pay they are really screwing the little guy one more time.
Also I would really appreciate some assistance as to tracking down how much the Dems are getting from these yahoos at Northwest.
Northwest is requesting feedback in either of the below mentioned ways.
Please help me freep NW. bill.mellon@nwa.com or 701-420-6282 x3
Thanks for your support. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have about my request.
I'd assume that the market will solve any potential problems; people will simply switch to another carrier if it's cheaper to do so.
If you live in MSP or MEM, I feel for you. Otherwise, my advice is NEVER FLY NWA.
So don't fly Northwest anymore.
This reminds me of Nations Bank, which would only allow me free transactions (including DEPOSITS) at the bank's ATM. I played the game 'til the ATM failed to print a deposit slip, then went in, pitched a fit and closed my account.
Nations only lasted about 1 year in OKC, thank God.
I predict the same for Northwest. People are stupid but not that stupid.
The answer to that is ...Yes.
Otherwise you got it
I'd assume that the market will solve any potential problems....
When United finally dies, the situation will be corrected by the market.
I would like a big flat screen TV, but they are too expensive. But I don't waste my time telling the TV manufactuers how to price their product. It's none of my business.
I don't think travel agents like customers doing the booking themselves.
Very true.
It's called free market capitalism. They feel it is a good business decision to add these charges. It obviously makes you angry. So, I think you are taking the right course of action by letting them know how you feel. Only when they know how mad it makes the consumer will they change the policy. This translates to: When the new price affects demand, then the price will be adjusted to reflect demand. God bless America!
The only problem with that statement is that the politicians will not let the market operate the way it should. United Airlines should have gone tits up last year, but they are being propped up by the congress and taxpayers. If they had gone out of business, a new operator could have come in cut wages and benefits, got rid of the executive bloat and the consumer would gain.
In case you hadn't noticed, the price of fuel has gone up more than 50% in the last 18 months. They need to cut costs or raise prices to keep up with reality.
While they continue to bloat their exec pay they are really screwing the little guy one more time.
In 2002 the CEO of Northwest made $750K. Last year he made $500K.
That's a 33% paycut.
Yes. I got charged an extra $5 the first (and last) time I paid my Sprint wireless bill in person.
The bad thing is you as a consumer have lost you choice. Many people do not book via the web (Yep that is fac) many like the option of looking at various sites prior to making a choice. You need to see this issue is about the spin...This is a flat out increase.
TAditionally go onto their site and try to book something outside of the box. The engine is not equipped to do do. So you must call them.
Consumer can keep accepting this or let companies know how they feel.
I myself have assited in supporting many freeper requests.
I hope you will make your voice heard.
If you can show that you will provide a service that people consider worth the extra cost they will use your service. If not, they won't and should not be required to.
Well, since I ALWAYS book directly on the airline sites, this won't affect me at all. I stopped using travel agents the time mine sent me to a hell-hole in the Caribbean, after she told me what a great place it was.
Since then, I just research and book my own travel, directly with the vendors. If I don't like their prices, I propose a cheaper rate via email. Works every time.
Sorry about your business, but there it is. It's so easy to book directly now that I can't imagine doing it any other way.
Last time you walked into a bank to deposit your paycheck, were you charged extra because you dealt with a person instead of an ATM?
Actually, with certain account types, this does happen.
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