Airlines are a Joke!
I like airplanes, flying, and the overall experience of going from destination to the other through airports (yeah, call me crazy). So I tend to follow airline news better than others. Lately, the number of articles on cost cutting measures are just comical. It is truly amazing the hoops airlines are jumping through to maintain that low ticket price.
RAISE AIRFARES ALREADY! Don’t take away my peanuts! Don’t charge me for my first checkin bag! Don’t take away pillows! Don’t take away the meal service! This is a complete joke. Just raise my ticket price. At least that doesn’t cause delays at the airport. I don’t have to wait for the dude in front of me bitching about paying for his checked luggage or listen to passengers near complain about no snacks.
If the high cost of fuel is a problem - simple, at time of ticket purchase charge me a fuel surcharge which is a percentage of that day’s crude oil price. These are futures so I essentially paying for the cost of gas when I fly. So if the crude oil price is $100/barrel then charge me, say, 25% or $25. Not enough to offset the cost of gas - fine - increase the percentage. Don’t try to keep airfares lower and cut conveniences purely to save fuel. This is becoming a much bigger inconvenience for the passenger.
I know, the airlines will always say it just isn’t that easy…and maybe it isn’t. But the changes they are making now are not easy for them or the passenger. Ridiculous.
Here are some of the articles are changes coming our way:
United raises airfares by up to $60; soon may charge for all checked luggage
US Airways Group to stop serving snacks on domestic flights
Airlines ponder how far they can push customers
American Airlines institutes checked bag fee
I’m sure Amtrak must be happy. I can’t believe they are not advertising heavily to get these customers.