The declining delights of air travel

Glass sculptural fountain, Vancouver International Airport.

Apparently, it's not enough that American airlines have begun charging extra for assigned seats and all checked baggage, plus an excess baggage fee if any bag is even slightly over the new weight limit. Now US Airways is charging $2 for water. Yes, water.  Soda, juice, coffee and tea also will cost two bucks each.

Security restrictions prevent us from bringing our own water - unless we buy a small bottle at quadruple its normal price at the ONE busy kiosk available between airport security and the passenger waiting area. As for any tap water the airline may deem to provide for free, let's hope it's not contaminated. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tests in 169 U.S. passenger planes found water containing fecal coliform bacteria in 17% of them.

Basically, the exhorbitant fees we already pay for airline tickets (thanks to the fuel surcharge and increased taxes) buy us long lines at security, during which we must practically disrobe and walk shoeless on filthy floors - and hours spent in a tiny confined space, without food or water (unless we pay extra). What's next - charging to use the toilet?

US Air - which twice has filed for bankruptcy, despite benefitting from the government's industry-wide bailout -  is slapping passengers with every possible surcharge. Yet their executives remain highly-paid. If charging passengers for water is considered sound management, it's no wonder the airline is struggling.

Comments

[Di Overton]

Crazy Crazy Crazy. I hate air travel now, much prefer to use the train and the car.

[phyllis]

Goodness! Will they let us suck on a rock or something?

[tangobaby]

You have to wonder what the conference rooms in these companies are like, making up these new additions to the corporate story.

I have to wonder when businesses will realize that making customers happy is really the only way they will survive in the long run.

If you write that Southwest is going to start charging for the tiny bag of peanuts, I'm going to have to learn to pilot my own plane.

[robin bird]

oooh yes and YES! it is more than gouging! it is insulting.

[My Mélange]

Yes, it is unbelieveable!!! I have also heard rumors that some are considering charging passengers for their ticket by the *pound*. I just wrote about this very issue in my last Travel Tip Tuesday post. You can read more here:

http://www.mymelange.net/mymelange/2008/06/travel-tip-tuesday--rising-airline-fees.html

xoxo

[debra]

I have trouble understanding how executives of businesses that are struggling can, in good faith, accept the exorbitant salaries and bonuses they receive. I cannot find a place in my brain for this behavior.

[Gillian]

Oh tell me about it. We had our fair share of little financial dings while onboard with Air Canada, they love charging two dollars for water as well. The prices once you get through security are tripled you are right about that. If you want to eat, even on long flights, you must pay an outrageous amount (nearly 15 dollars) for a small stale sandwich, a tiny can of potatoe chips and a coke. The choices are not healthy either, and the one healthy thing they offer, baby carrots, they charge 3 bucks for a bag that contains about ten baby carrots. (They sell out first, depending on where you sit!!! LOL)
Oh, I could go on, but why? You have already experienced it all haven't you?
xoxo

[stephanie]

The whole airline thing, among nearly EVERYTHING else lately is making me crazy....lets start thinking outside the box folks.

I have just perused all the posts I've missed...being away, the San Fransisco posts...wonderful! It's one of my favorite places on earth!!!

ALL the murals!

[Jana]

I've found a great way around the water problem. I buy a bottle of water (inexpensively at the grocery store) before my trip and drink the water before I go through security--so I am only carrying an _empty_ bottle (which is allowed). Then I fill the bottle at a water fountain on the concourse before getting on the plane.

[Colette]

Hear, hear!
I was astounded to see a breakdown of taxes added to my airline ticket, especially one called "911 tax" that the U.S. imposes on us. I'll go thirsty before I pay for water of unknown origin....As you say, with all theses stupid surcharges, it's no wonder the airlines are failing.

[Karen DeGroot Carter]

Discouraging, isn't it? My DH is traveling a bit lately and experienced delays in Denver, NYC, and Washington in a matter of days before getting the heck out of the country. South American travel seems to be more predictable at the moment! K.