33 replies to this topic

[Scubatooth]

I dont think the drink thing will survive because it will come back to bite them in the form of willful endangerment of passengers complaints/charges,etc especially for the stupid 3-1-1 restrictions that have no basis in real science.

As being in a plane physically is tough on the body and you need to maintain a certain intake level to maintain normal hydration level. I know that im gonna need to have about 6 qts of water during the course of the day while on the ground and more then that in the air because of the reduced humidity. Plus you still have stupid TSA types that think any container over 3 oz is banned, like i got last weekend (lets see the 1 qt nalgeen is fine but the empty gatorade bottle is verboten, give me a break).

With the combo of this i except to here a horror story or two in the coming days about delayed flight (US is almost at the top of that list) that sat on the tarmac for a number of hours where passengers didnt get anything to drink and it caused problems, and it sad but i hear a queen song playin in my head for US and its not we are the champions.

[Scubatooth]

The race for the bottom goes on...... Meanwhile the price of oil drops below 100 a barrel to ~$94

http://www.prnewswir.......4974&EDATE=

United Airlines Increases the Fee to Check a Second Bag

CHICAGO, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In a challenging economic
environment where fuel prices continue to be volatile and are more than 50
percent higher than last year, United is increasing the service fee to
check a second bag on a domestic flight from $25 to $50 one way. These
changes apply to customers who purchase a ticket on or after Sept. 16,
2008, for travel within the U.S. and to/from Canada, Puerto Rico and the
U.S. Virgin Islands on or after Nov. 10, 2008.

The service fee does not apply to customers who are flying in United
First or United Business, have Premier status with United or Star Alliance,
or active duty military personnel traveling on orders. United estimates
that the $50 service fee will apply to one out of seven customers.

Customers may continue to carry on one bag and one personal item such
as a purse, briefcase, or laptop computer to fit under the seat or in an
overhead bin. For itineraries that include international flights (except
Canada), checking a first and second bag will continue to be free.

Details on United's checked bag policy are available at
united.com/baggage.

The potential revenue from United's merchandising efforts, including
those for checking a first and second bag, will now be approximately $700
million in 2009.

Customers may pay these service fees at an airport Easy Check-In(SM)
kiosk or with a skycap using a credit card or at the check-in counter with
a credit card, check or cash. To ensure smooth operations at the airport,
later this year, United will have developed the ability for customers to
pay for baggage fees via united.com when they check-in online.

About United

United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAUA) operates more than 3,200* flights a day
on United and United Express to more than 200 U.S. domestic and
international destinations from its hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco,
Denver, Chicago and Washington, D.C. With key global air rights in the
Asia-Pacific region, Europe and Latin America, United is one of the largest
international carriers based in the United States. United also is a
founding member of Star Alliance, which provides connections for our
customers to 975 destinations in 162 countries worldwide. United's 55,000
employees reside in every U.S. state and in many countries around the
world. News releases and other information about United can be found at the
company's Web site at united.com.

*Based on the flight schedule between Jan. 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2008.

Well on a day where the banking industry has another giant on its knees, it looks like another airline is on another step towards a death spiral to going under.

[Fordan]

Well on a day where the banking industry has another giant on its knees, it looks like another airline is on another step towards a death spiral to going under.

Hmm? How do you figure? I will agree the airlines are on a race to the bottom of customer service with the possible exception of Southwest (the "no frills" airline that now offers more frills than most), but I don't see it as a "death spiral" toward going under.

Fully agree that it sucks, especially for us divers, and means we have new considerations when pricing airline tickets, but I don't see it as a sign of impending collapse, just a way of increasing revenues in a way that won't make them appear more expensive on the travel websites like raising fares would.

[Scubatooth]

Fordan

the airlines since 911 have been striping the services that they used to provide and are now charging for them and not discounting the airfares any to reflect the separation of services. The customer service provided now a days is WAY below what it was a mere 10 years ago. Flying used to be fun, and easy now its a real big PIA, and that doesnt include the circus TSA has produced.

Furthermore this hiding of fees and surcharges from the airfare should be outlawed like the EU is doing so that if a airline is going to advertise a airfare it has to be all inclusive with the base airfare, and all surcharges in the fare, and not nickel and dime people to death.