Ok don’t get me wrong, I have some sympathy for the airlines and the problems they face because of rising costs of fuel etc. However, given the level of service they have given over the last 10 or so years, I have just one word for them….KARMA. I mean they nickel and dime us for years; cram us in like smelly fish, are rude, take away services, make it much more inconvenient to fly, and basically make a trip to the airport to fly about as enjoyable as a trip to the dentist for a root canal. Toss in the stupid “security” procedures we have to go through and you can add wisdom teeth removal to the root canal.
That all being said, I figured there wasn’t much more the airlines could do to screw us then they already had. I mean they know they have us by the proverbial balls because we need to fly so why not just squeeze as much as possible. However, I was wrong. Jet Blue has made it known that they are now going to take away the crappy pillows and blankets and start charging $7 for a pillow and blanket on flights. Seriously? SERIOUSLY? I’m not sure what is more upsetting; that Jet Blue would think to charge for a damn pillow and blanket, or that they expect to make millions off of the deal.
Of course, the idea of charging for pillows is still not quite as asinine as charging for water. Yup, fly US Airways and kiss the free water goodbye. I refuse to pay for bottled water as it is on the ground for God’s sake. I grew up on tap water and I haven’t dropped dead yet so tap water is good enough for me. This idea that we now need to pay extra money for water on an airplane where we get dehydrated anyway is just too much.
I’m trying to figure out what is going to be next. Maybe a $1 fee for seatbelts and an extra 50 cents if you want ones that actually snap together. Maybe $10 to buy out of a middle seat. Maybe $15 for extra leg room (oh wait Jet Blue already does that too). How about $5 for the privilege of having frequent flyer miles? Maybe an extra $1 if you want that liquid refreshment with ice, or even in a cup.
Your ramble is misleading. You should at least inform your readers that they get to keep the pillow and blanket and re-use them. It was easy enough for me to google the following post on the NY Times web site:
“The $7 sets, which passengers can keep and reuse, include a 10-by-12 inch pillow, a fleece blanket and a $5 coupon for Bed Bath & Beyond.”
Comment by easttex — August 8, 2008 @ 12:01 pm |
The stupid security procedures are not the airlines’ fault, blame the TSA.
Comment by Boytjie — August 8, 2008 @ 12:38 pm |
…..then don’t pay for bottled water…..just tell the Cabin Staff that tap water will be just fine. They will be pleased to know that you grew up on it. If it were not for the TSA (not the airlines), you would carry aboard a jug of your beloved tap water each time you fly.
By-the-way, why do you think that the airlines are charging for these things now? Would it be fuel costs? Would it be because the USA is the most energy-wasteful nation on earth? Hmmm….kinda makes ya wonder why people get so upset about things of their own doing?
Comment by joe — August 8, 2008 @ 12:56 pm |
wow..Joe so hostile. I’m not making any comments on why they are doing it but I don’t buy its simply fuel costs or increased security. Ever since deregulation service has gone down. The airlines could have margined their fuel costs better and could have managed their business models better.
I don’t mind paying more for flights or other transportation if the costs are legitimate. To me, if its fuel costs or security costs, they should simply be up front about it and simply raise fares or charge a straight fuel surcharge. I think the public would respond more favorably to that then the constant extra fees that many see as the airlines simply nickel and diming the consumer. We would always have a windfall profits tax on the oil companies to help reduce the fuel costs. Or we could crack down on the oil speculators who artificially inflated the price of a barrel of oil.
As for America being wasteful, you’re preaching to the choir.
Comment by lvatty — August 8, 2008 @ 1:05 pm |
Thank you…I am relieved to know that the choir did not use A/C today, walked or biked to work, and refuses to water the lawn.
And, tell me, how do you know if “costs are legitimate” or not? Do you have some inside track into the financial dealings of the various airlines?…..and windfall taxes or crack downs on oil speculators….are you still wanting the US to rule the world and everything that goes on?….and what about the grand “free enterprise” system?….does that only work when the costs don’t affect you?
Before you suggest someone is hostile, you should take a moment to reflect on making comments about something you know little about….and thanks for playing.
I think that I will go now for a little spin in my SUV and visit my speed boat, turn up the A/C on it and enjoy a cool bottle of water that has been chilling in a rarely-used fridge turned up to the highest level.
Chow for now….and if you have a moment, turn off all those lights in Vegas.
Comment by joe — August 8, 2008 @ 1:57 pm |
If I could walk to work I would and I don’t water my lawn as I had the grass removed and put in a desert landscape.
As for things I know very little about, its not that difficult to read the information available about the airlines’ practices. I’m not sure how windfall profits taxes or stopping improper speculation that inflates a price for no reason is “wanting the US to rule the world and everything that goes on.” Deregulation hasn’t worked in the past with utilities at the state level and it didn’t work with the airlines. The “free enterprise” system you discuss is simply a construct of the government policy and it isn’t the free market or free enterprise when there are improper influences on the system. Further, the idea that the market forces will correct the situation is misguided at best and demonstrates an adherence to a trickle down theory that has been shown to not work.
Comment by lvatty — August 8, 2008 @ 2:09 pm |
What will you say when the airlines start charging what they have to charge to make $$??? Id rather pay 1/2 the pride of the flight and pay $7 for a pillow.
Comment by James — August 8, 2008 @ 3:19 pm |