[E. Pluribus Unum]

The airline industry's main problem is that they make flying too pleasant an experience. They should hire a bunch of high school dropouts to perform body searches on anyone who enters an airport. They will soon have so many customers they won't know what to do with them all.

[pikachu]

They will keep charging a buck here, three there and wonder why people are getting nastier as they fly. Add in the reports that they are more prone to lose bags and run behind schedule, and you have a perfect storm forming.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Ask for a pillow and blanket to help get through a long flight and you may be out of luck. Or you may be able to buy a "comfort package" from Air Canada for $2.

Just as long as I can bring my own travel pillow. More comfortable than the disintegrated foam fragments the airline offers and far less smelly.

[mtbopfuyn]

Airlines are starting to charge for many services that once were free

They were never free. These fees were included in the price of tickets. How fast do you think they'll waive the barf bag fee when little Billy starts spewing across three rows?

[hattend]

Sharon Ansara, a government supervisor from El Paso, Texas, flew an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Washington Monday morning.

"We didn't even get peanuts," she said after the 2-1/2 hour flight. "They offered us a snack pack for $4. It stinks."

Whaaa! Stop at a Quickee-Mart on the way to the airport and fill your purse with peanuts at 2 packs for 99 cents. For 4 bucks you could stop at Subway!

[saganite]

$2.00 to go to the bathroom. It's coming!

[2banana]

The airlines respond to the market. My guess is that people are going to want to fly Continental...

[stevem]

I don't object to any of this. Just about everywhere I have flown in the last two years has been on a flight jammed to the teeth. Still the airlines are going broke. It may be that they can't make a profit these days.

On the other hand, I learned to hate flying long before 9-11-2001. It became much worse after that, and I only fly when it isn't feasible to drive. For me that is in an emergency or if the drive is longer than 12 hours. I also think if not for my wife, that 12 hour limit might stretch a bit more. She just isn't long on driving.

Cost is a factor, but much more, I simply hate the atmosphere at airports these days.

[YouPosting2Me]

Then I expect a refund of $10 per minute when the flight is late!



(along the lines of a Seinfeld episode w/George)

[Revolting cat!]

"We didn't even get peanuts," she said after the 2-1/2 hour flight.

I'd call the United Nations about that! Clear violation of human rights! Worse than the starvation in Africa!

[cardinal4]

Sharon Ansara, a government supervisor from El Paso, Texas, flew an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Washington Monday morning.

"We didn't even get peanuts," she said after the 2-1/2 hour flight. "They offered us a snack pack for $4. It stinks."

She didnt pay for the ticket if she is on govt business..

[thinkthenpost]

United, Delta, Northwest, US Air how many more are going to declare bankruptcy and saddle the taxpayer with pension liabilities before we finally let a couple die for real.
I wonder if these "customer friendly" move will hasten that end for any?

[siunevada]

Pack a lunch and bring a jacket even if the weather on the ground is warm.

[-YYZ-]

"United Airlines charges $24-$99 to sit in the Economy Plus section, which has five extra inches of leg room."

I'd pay somewhere in that range for the extra space, given the choice, at least for longer flights (anything over 2 hours, and maybe even then). That's my 6'3" on the subject.

[joesnuffy]

well they could dump your 80 yr old disabled mom next to an affirmative action TSA employee who will yell at her and threaten her...and force her to stand and walk even though she has a doctors written order to not do any of those things as they may be life threatening...

TSA is above the law of common decency...to anyone but arab men between the ages of 18 and 45 that is...

If I gotta fly there.....I aint going...

[corkoman]

The a la carte pricing approach is working for Southwest, which carried more people in the U.S. than any other airline.

Is that correct? Southwest has the highest domestic volume??? Dang.

[redhead]

Amenities?? They have AMENITIES???

[Drew68]

Airlines are starting to charge for many services that once were free — such as assigned seating, paper tickets and blankets.

The next time I fly to Europe I will gladly pay extra for an aisle seat. 9 hours from Atlanta to Paris was miserable next to the window!

Incidentally, when I flew from Paris to Kiev on a Ukrainian carrier I ordered a beer. When I reached for my wallet I was shocked to learn that beer was free! I wasn't expecting this.

[BulletBobCo]

The call button is soon to be replaced with a bill slot/credit card reader.

[varon]

Sharon Ansara, a government supervisor from El Paso, Texas, flew an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Washington Monday morning.

"We didn't even get peanuts," she said after the 2-1/2 hour flight. "They offered us a snack pack for $4. It stinks

Is it any wander Americans are overweight. This lady is bitching because she had to go 2 1/2 hours without food......my God.........is that all Americans live for? People can't even sit through a movie or sporting event without stuffing their faces.......gross!