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.
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
Airlines have always treated people like cattle. The only difference now is there's no pretense.
Not so! I remember flying National Airlines as a college kid and they had free champagne in economy and meals on ceramic plates. Braniff was also fun. As a little kid I remember the FAs used to wear these ultra modern Pucci-designed uniformsand the planes were all different colors. And, of course, hot meals. Pan AM used to be the gold standard in airline service the world over.
Now US airlines are shunned. No one in Europe or Asia would take a U.S. airline unless it was the last seat available or their corporate travel dept forced them to. On my Miami/Mexico City trips I always take Mexicana -- far, far superior to AA.
Budokan, I must agree with Alonzo. American domestic carriers used to be the best and didn't always treat us like cattle. I also have fond memories as a teen in the early 1970s flying Eastern Airlines (remember them?), Delta, Northwest Orient, Brannif and National Airlines too. My Dad is a long retired airline worker (started with North Central Airlines, which merged with Southern Airways to become Republic Airlines, then bought out by Northwest). So I was able to fly on passes with him from time to time. Now, most American carriers have become the dank, dark "Greyhound buses" of the skies. International carriers will eventually put American carriers out of business on international routes. My wife and I flew Air France to Paris out of Washington-Dulles several years ago. It was just great, even in coach. The French FAs were courteous, served at least two full meals (one with wine), dessert and snacks during the flight. It was service and courtesy you hardly see anymore on American air carriers.
I can see a child getting dhydrated on a long flight and the airline being sued for not providing water.
People must have water every 4 hours of some kind.
Soon they'll start frisking passengers so they won't bring contraband water and snacks on board.
US Air offers poor service, uncomfortable seating, cattle yard loading and they're prone to cancel and rearrange flights without notice. Now they're charging for water! They won't be getting any of my money. Others may charge more, but their service is worth it. Buh bye US Air!
I have noticed a very large shift in attitude in international flights by US based airline's staff over the last few years. It started with a very clear attitude change in the service staff in one of the major airlines South-Worst (not the real name obviously) during a flight about 3 years ago. I was surprised to see that the staff used the refrain WHAT in a very loud and affronting manner when asked questions by passengers. I noticed this approach being done by a number of the staff and it seemed to be practiced and intentional. Since this time, I've been very leery of flying US based carriers! I much prefer the good manners and excellent service practiced by Asian and European airlines.
Water ... food ... heaven forbid ... what's next ... perhaps you have to rent the chair above and beyond the air price pretty soon!
Ultimately, US carriers are beginning to remind me of aeroflot service of the 1980s!
Good call - I'd forgotten how miserable Aeroflot flights were - remember having to dig the seat belt out from in between the cushions along with the filth that came with it - then having to actually wear it? My recent flights on US carriers haven't been quite as bad, but some have come close. I've given up on asking the staff for anything at all, bring everything I might possibly need for a few hours of survival. I would never consider pressing the "help" button - last time I did, I was treated as though I'd thrown a cold glass of water in the attendant's face.
I know fuel is expensive and so is food and I understand the airlines need to cut costs, but courtesy doesn't cost a dime. They might want to consider that.
Was on an AA flight recently from B.A. and the screechy flight attendant on the PA used, in SPanish (she was an English speaker), the familar imperative tense to tell some poor guy in the back to sit down. It's the tense you would use with unruly children and to command your pet dog. Very rude.
One of my Argentine employees asked once: "Why do U.S. airlines hate Argentines?" I had to her they hate ALL their passengers.
Is the toilet water still free?
Pay toilets can be brought back, just slot them to take $5.00 bills instead of a quarter.
Inflation, after all.
It is time to begin REGULATING the industries this country needs to survive. We should also consider NATIONALIZING industries like OIL.
oh the benefits of deregulation
most americans fell for deregulation hook line and sinker
the richer got richer and the middle class
well bye bye middle class
reagan's genius to eliminate the middle class to max the wealth of the have mores
it worked to perfection
kind of like capitalism on steroids
his theories worked so well the repubs made a god out of him
the us govt. dropped the ball by bailing out airlines again and again, some twice.
how many airlines were allowed under chapter 11 in last 10 years.
how about chapter 7 for once. the next 2 airlines that enter bankruptacy (not if but when), please no reorganization. have it liquidated.
that will ease up the competition so they can finally make some money and not nickel and dime the passengers. btw, airlines have been a terrible business for the last 100 years.
Warren Buffett himself said "someone would be doing investors a great favor if they shot the Wright brothers before takeoff". LOL.
I am willing to bet money that some airline, very soon, will start charging people $1.99 per pound of body weight to fly...just like those awful "buck a scoop" restaurants.
No wonder they call them "US Scare"
USAir has truly earned what is their nickname among those in the airline industry: UselessAir. Stay home, America and if you can't absolutely stay home then complain like hell when you do have to fly. The only way that we are going to bring about a better day for the consumer is for all the present major airlines to go under and for smaller, more competitive carriers that are consurmer oriented to take their place..
USair... thanks for making the USA that much more ghetto. Interesting how the newest most technologically airplane is landing in the USA from the Middle East. All the while, USA airlines are 4th world.
Easy to avoid this fee - bring an empty water bottle through security, then fill it at someplace like Starbucks (where they are not yet charging for water.)
US Air has been known as Satan's Own Airline in our house for quite some time...
It is illegal to charge paying customers for air and water at gas stations in California. It is considered a necessity. Why isn't this being used as a precedent?
It is in fact illegal to deny water to someone (or their horse) in Arizona. Water is not taxed in the grocery stores. In my stupid little non-Republican opinion it would be unethical to deny water to a thirsty person. If they REALLY need the $2 for the water, then they should charge you for this with the ticket. I guess that would be Communism though, if they charged everyone for water and did not keep track of who was drinking it. Its pretty disgusting.
I stopped flying on USAir about 10 years ago because they double charged me for a ticket, and then refused to reimburse me.
Really? Stations charge .50 to .75 cents here in Houston. It's rare to find a free air hose, usually at a full-service bay at Shell.
What's the next passenger gouge to be perpetrated by the airline industry..
I hate to fly. I used to love it. Now I'll drive anywhere if I can possibly do it, just to avoid the awful experience. The airlines have destroyed themselves.
I agree completely. It used to be fun. Any trip of about 700 miles or less is a driving trip for me.
They make it illegal to bring your own water on board, they stuff you into a dehydrating environment where there are serious health risks associated with not drinking enough, and then they start charging you for what you need to stay alive.
Thank you US Air for doing your part to discourage travel and save the planet.
I wonder when the first lawsuit will appear, because someone got sick from dehydration on a flight.
Airplane cabin air is very, very dry. This is obscene.
This is obscene! A passenger is not allowed to take his/her own water on board, and now water will be held hostage? I've flown US Air for the last time!
Loading comments…
First Posted: 08- 1-08 09:31 PM | Updated: 08- 9-08 05:12 AM