Comments on: epic airline fail

By: Luis

Luis — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:47:15 +0000

Stormy: the problem is that bankrupt airlines have a property-like right to hang on to their gates, making it difficult-to-impossible for new airlines to start up. If gates regularly came up for auction, so that new players could participate and snag gates, we’d have a lot better competition than we currently do. Until that happens… it’ll be a long, slow slog.

By: Stormy

Stormy — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:38:18 +0000

Just wait. The airline business is seriously broken and will have to be fixed or it will implode soon. (Or get even more taxpayer help.)

What other business can get away with so many dissatisfied customers? Every move they make makes customers more unhappy. There’s something very wrong with that!

By: James Henstridge

James Henstridge — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:59:36 +0000

Jeff: with less luggage on the plane, it will be lighter and use less fuel. There is also the cost of screening, loading and unloading the checked luggage, and for some fraction of cases the cost of finding the luggage when it gets lost. I’ve got no idea how these costs match up against what US airlines are charging passengers though.

On the subject of water, it sounds like you’d have a right to complain given that the airport staff seem to do their best to stop you bringing water onto planes these days …

By: Russ

Russ — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:22:57 +0000

After merging with America West, they used the America West screens for a while to play commercials before taxi. Fun Fun.

Luckily, there are often alternatives, unless you get stuck with them as a domestic leg of an international trip.

By: Jeff Walden

Jeff Walden — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:31:08 +0000

I’m pretty sure that was United, since I bought that ticket fairly recently. I find the luggage thing a bit weird, because it’s not like less luggage can translate into more tickets sold; I cannot believe these fees are the profit-maximizing bundle for US Airways. Then again, I typically make an effort not to check anything just to reduce hassle, so I’m not particularly affected by high luggage fees — at least, not normally.

By: Luis

Luis — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:50:21 +0000

Jeff: one of the airlines I flew recently (can’t remember which one) actually had a link to fedex from their website, advertising that fedex would pick up your luggage from your residence the day before the flight and deliver it to whereever you were going. I guess I’d assumed that charging all these fees made luggage profitable for the airlines, but if they are ‘outsourcing’ to fedex, that suggests that even with the fees luggage is a money-loser, which is mind-boggling.

re: water: I’d doubt that providing water is legally required; why legally require something that everyone does voluntarily anyway? At least, until now…

By: Jeff Walden

Jeff Walden — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:42:30 +0000

I too was impressed by the quality of US Airways service on the way back to family in Detroit for Thanksgiving week. I was very happy I’d taken a water bottle with me to the airport (not actually intended for the flight), not simply telling them to throw it when I accidentally took it half-full through security but rather waiting for it to be returned to me emptied, and filling it before boarding my flight.

In contrast, the flight back with United on a 767-300 was very good, and I did get a drink on it (two, actually, which seems a bit odd). I think it’s one of the Dreamliners or something like that, because the non-plebe cabins had the funky extra-space seating and reclining, and even economy had mini-TVs in the back of every seat (with headphones, too) with a live map displaying progress. That may just be the airplane, tho; apparently oversize checked luggage is now +$125, even above the initial $15/$25/whatever to have that piece of checked luggage in the first place. Thank goodness I’m pretty much done moving stuff, or I’d likely be looking into FedEx and UPS rates soon.

By: Mike Dolan

Mike Dolan — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:22:27 +0000

I like how they also covered “squeegeeing” and “brushing” the advertisement onto the surface in claim 4 of the patent… yes, this is an indicator of what’s wrong with the current system. We NEED a modernized patent system – yesterday.

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:34:40 +0000

Man, I need to check my spelling!

My question is though, is it a basic right to be able to demand a glass of water from an establishment such as a bar or restaurant for no charge as long as the water is ‘tap’ water?

If that is so, can the Airline modify your rights in such a way as to decline this right?

Even on Ryanair over here, they will give you a cup of tap water if ask nicely, for free.

By: vcp

vcp — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:58:33 +0000

@Phil

“Is it not a legal requirement to be able to get a free
galls of water in the USA?”

I just looked up contract of carriage of United airlines, following is relevant part. It is not clear to me, if it is a legal requirement to provide free water, especially on domestic flights, under normal circumstances.

“IN ADDITION, WHERE EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES RESULT IN THE EXTENDED
DELAY OF AN AIRCRAFT ON THE GROUND WITHOUT ACCESS TO THE TERMINAL,
WHETHER PRIOR TO DEPARTURE OR AFTER LANDING, UNITED WILL MAKE EVERY
REASONABLE EFFORT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH AN ESTABLISHED CONTINGENCY PLAN,
TO ENSURE THAT ITS PASSENGERS ARE PROVIDED WITH FOOD, WATER, RESTROOM
FACILITIES, AND ACCESS TO MEDICAL TREATMENT CONSISTENT WITH CUSTOMER
AND EMPLOYEE SAFETY AND SECURITY”
Source: http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,2743,00.html