Wall Street Journal:
Charging for checked luggage and legroom isn't enough for some carriers -- starting today, coach passengers flying aboard US Airways Inc. must pay for a drink of water.
This morning, US Airways began charging fliers $2 for bottled water and sodas and $1 for teas and coffees. First class members, trans-Atlantic passengers and a select group of others are exempt from the extra fees.
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For comparison's sake, was in India last month and flew RT Delhi/Agra on Kingfisher AIrlines. 45 minutes each way. Brand new ATR turboprop commuter, with, get this -- inflight video, TWO flight attendants (friendly and competent), plus full, hot, meal service with metal utensils. ANd all for $170 RT. Similar trip on new 737 from Delhi to Mumbai: full, three course breakfast service, and four flight attendants in economy. Both flights on time.
Interesting that India has world class airlines, while the good ol' USA has what can be charitably described as developing nation class airlines: aging, filthy planes; rude service and unreliable schedules.
Dear Alonzo,
Please name anything that isn't broken in this country? On a happier note:
http://en.
Great link. An evidence that some kind of genius resides inside the soul of each one of us, no matter the race, language, color, gender, or creed. Thanks for sharing. God bless.
Made me cry. Thanks.
THE ANSWER MY FRIENDS IS JET BLUE AIRTRAN AND SOUTHWEST
I am loving Virgin America!
Great airline!
Southwest? Maybe, but only after making sure the pilot is sober... ;)
You're thinking of Northwest.
that's capitalism. drill drill now.
Great. I look forward to saving $.03/gallo
I bet ANWR is looking forward to turning into the next Exxon Valdez disaster..
American airlines are becoming one humongous disaster. Oh for a decent rail system and lower gas prices!
Decent rail system ! ??? Hah ! Only in your dreams.
--- The airline and auto industries have fully paid lobbyists (former fat-cat members of Congress) fighting to make sure it doesn't happen in our lifetime. In the meantime, let's be all content that we are all suckers.
Dear George Carlin, where art thou?
No bailouts for these jokers. Live by the free market, die by the free market. It was bad enough when Southwest began their "pay extra to board first" schtick, but at least that's optional--unlike hydrating yourself on a flight.
LOL...this is great. I want the airline industry to be destroyed. The vast majority of people in this country don't *have* to fly. Got a big ol' important business meeting? Do it on the phone--the people on the other end will appreciate the fact that they don't have to entertain you for two days. Need to visit your family on the other side of the country? Call them--they'll survive without your presence. Need to fly to Florida, or Arizona, or Hawaii for vacation? How about...DO
The crippling of a once great nation. Keeping everyone where they are.
They'll really clean up when planes get stuck on hot tarmacs for hours ... and they will. Not much goodwill in it for them, though. Not that it seems to matter. Just stuff people into an aluminum tube and send 'em through the skies at 35,000 feet ... pretty soon they'll charge you to sit down. Pay toilets.
US Airways and United are in a race to the bottom to see who will go under first. They're both bleeding money at a fast rate. I'd be surprised if either one is around much longer.
Some responses I've heard: Pay the $2 fee in pennies, carefully counted out one by one. Finish your water and then buy another bottle for 200 pennies. Take an empty gallon milk container through security and fill it with water from a terminal water fountain - increased fuel costs for airline. Ask the attendant for a receipt - it is a legitimate business expense.
Less than 2 years ago, I flew round trip from NYC via Paris to Istanbul on Air France, for under $400 round trip. My "economy" seat was leather and several inches wider and deeper than on US airlines. I had my own entertainment screen set in the back of the seat in front of me and watched 6 new films in the course of my round trip. I had a choice of menus for my excellent meals, including hot croissants and free champagne/wine. Flight attendents all spoke English and service was professional and friendly. I had 3 hour layovers in Charles DeGaulle Airport, which has excellent branches of Parisian shops. The air travel was actually fun!
Vive la France!
PennLawyer,
Funny idea. But good luck getting several thousand pennies on the plane.
Airlines are the next government bailout. It will be here before to long me thinks. These businesses have just about had it.
Are they gonna cut back on the water in the toilets, too? Those cross-country flights are gonna be a b*tch!
It was all fun and games when people went after the SUV industry. Now the high cost of petrol is affecting everyone and its not so funny? What gives? Its a vicious circle.
Having just flown back from the UK on Aer Lingus, and having recently flown Virgin Atlantic and American, I can say without a doubt that the service I recieved on both VA and AL was FAR SUPERIOR to that on AA. The smarmy, icky flight attendants on AA were not only rude, but were observed actually making comments about passengers while they were on duty.
Oh, and I enjoyed a nice in-flight meal on Aer Lingus, plus all the water/coffee/tea I wanted.
United flight attendants are also smarmy
Just lock your mouth on the spigot in the restrooms and drink away. Wait! Have they put security cameras in there yet?
Here's another GREAT idea: start charging for the air passengers breath... Oh yeah, and of course toilet calls should be at least $5 each...
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First Posted: 08- 1-08 09:31 PM | Updated: 08- 9-08 05:12 AM