US airlines will charge you for water.

I think the problem is that people see air travel as a commodity - they don't associate any added value with things like free drinks or a meal on the flight. They go on Expedia or Orbitz and it gives them a list of flights from A to B and they just pick the cheapest one. Some folks adjust which airline based on which gives them beneficial FF miles, but I don't think most care... so whatever the airline can do to save a few bucks here and there allows them to cut the ticket prices down to the bone and win more customers at ticket-buying time.

I would like to see a website offer ticket pricing info as well as "amenity" info . Like when you book a hotel and they have little icons that tell you if there is high speed internet, free parking, complimentary breakfast, etc. I'd like to see the same sort of icons for plane tickets telling you if there is a free meal, how many bags you can check, whether the plane has in-seat entertainment, whether a movie will be shown, if there is a power socket on your seat, how much legroom you get, how on-time the planes are, etc, etc.

But, the reality is everyone shops on price, so the airlines accomodate.

 

F*ck it, take a train.

 

Very true, all of it. I can say I not only shop on price, I shop on what time and how many other stops. In all honesty, airplanes just get to from A->B so really what amenities do you need for an "hour and a half" flight, you don't really need a drink or a snack, they are just trying to get you to use their service again, because they did something for you, and they want your business again.

 

Its one thing to charge for their water its another thing to forbid bringing your own.

I have xerostomia and I need at least a pint of water an hour.

 

Drink your bottled water before security and then fill up after. Southwest aren't charging for extra bags and doubt they'll try to nail you for water so just use them. They'll start to clean up if all the others are nickel and dimeing. Plus, SW prices aren't any different if you just wait last minute.(at least the times I've used them)

 

USAIR is run by an accountant....what do you expect ?? LOL !!

 

You can bring your own - you just have to buy it after the security area. Yeah, it's overpriced, but if you *need* it, then what's a buck for a necessity?

 

The hotels need some truth in advertising too! Example when I book a room:

ME: Does the hotel have wireless internet?

Hotel: Yes

When you get there: The wireless internet is in the lobby and in your room, you get a 4-foot cable! Unless I have stayed at the hotel before, I'll bring a 25-foot cable.

******

ME: Does the hotel have smoking

Hotel: Yes

When you get there: The hotel is a non-smoking hotel and you can go outside (After requesting a smoking room that the reservation person stated an OK on).

******

I can list about ten more, but I'll get bashed for ranting!

 

please do. Both the listing and the bashing are funny

 

OK...Travelocity confirmed an incredible price at an Embassy Suites in Irvine, CA for me a few months ago at $89 (Usually about $239). When I checked in, the front desk clerk stated "We hope you enjoy your stay for the next 30 days".............EXCUSE ME? YUP! Travelocity booked me for 30 days to lock in a great price! It was late and I paid $269 that night!

I like the bottles of water that the maids just plain forget to put the tags on that read " Only $4.00 for your convenience".

If I had more time, I'd list more.

 

+ [how do you type the "infinity" symbol???]

Air travel used to be fun. Now it is just absurd. Charging for water and for checking your FIRST bag is asinine. I disagree that these are "amenities". They are fundamental necessities of long distance travel. It's like a hotel charging you extra for a bed in the room! Soon you'll be charged extra if you want to take a piss on the damn plane. Unreal...

 

this is so messed up...i fly with US air usually when i go through the states, and i'm usually flying about 4 to 6 times a year...
i have a feeling soon they're gonna charge for the a/c to be on while the flight is in air, or have the lights turned off during the night so people could sleep lol!

and speaking of booking flights online, i booked a flight with orbitz...after everything is settled, i get my summary in which everything is fine, then i find out i have to pay $47 to have my ticket printed out and mailed to me at my house! the print and "expediated delivery" is $47...ridiculous...needless to say i sent them a nice comment.

 

The Gnome said he'd fix that for you.

 

I've been saying this for a while now, but I think what everyone needs to do is to stop flying. Period. Avoid it. Teleconference, videoconference, drive, whatever you have to do. Let the airlines go bankrupt, then let someone else start up a new company with a new model. This current model for airlines obviously doesn't work.

Dom

 

That would never work. Just because they are charging for water, your going to give up flying, not smart. I understand that the fees add up and they nickel and dime you, but what do you expect. Think about Tourism and etc., which is bringing loads of people to America and other places, think Olympics, you can't drive there, you will probably pay more to drive there than to fly. To drive someplace, that's a waste of precious time, what if a relative was ill, are you going to video conference with them?
You make it sound so easy.

I'll admit, that some places are more walkable, but some places your going to struggle. I walked 3 miles to get to a grocery store in Phoenix, it may not sound a lot when you drive, but when your walking in 110 degrees, your sweating once you step outside.

 

A Buck ?

In an airport ??

When is the last time you flew, 1977 ???

 

Videoconferencing a vacation on the coast, Australia, or Yurrup doesn't seem to be the same as being there...

 

Why would you bring a 25 foot cable for Wireless Internet ?

Most places advertise 'WiFi', few of them offer 'FREE WiFi', I stay at LaQuinta, it's as good as most Hiltons I have stayed at, and has the same or more amenities, and it's a lot cheaper.

Stop Smoking. Save Money.

 

TELL ME you have more common sense than to realize bottled water isn't free. (?)

 

I don't think bottled-water cost anything in 1997...

 

Not just because of the water. Airlines have been treating us like subhumans for years, and people just let them. I work in a field that involves animals. If we were to treat the animals the way airlines treat us, we'd be in jail...

I'm not saying it is easy, but you do what you can to minimize flying.

Or, you could just take a vacation locally. I live in southern california, lots of places to see without having to travel.

Again, I am not saying you need to stop altogether, sometimes is is neccessary to fly. However, try to minimize it. There are alternatives. If you want better treatment from the airlines, ultimately, you have to do something. Otherwise, they will continue to make your flying experience a miserable one.

Dom

 

Us Air is the worst Airline out there. They treat the customers like they are serial killers. I finally used up all of my Frequent Flyer miles so I never will have to fly the airline again. I know that the 5-6 hrs I will spend on the plane will be equilivant to 500 years in hell. Good bye you crappy airline, hope to never fly you again.

 

I bring the cable in case the hotel does not have wireless. I like to sit up on the bed, watch TV, eat and do work, as doing the same at the liitle desk is less comfortable. As for the water, I fell for that once.

 

Well, to add more discussion to this thread, Yahoo has on their homepage that JetBlue will now charge $7.00 for a pillow and blanket. The set will include a $5.00 off coupon to Bed, Bath & Beyond.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/5923162.html