Flying? Checking two bags? Not so fast, my friend...

I also remember regulation.
Real food.
Planes that were on time and mechanically sound and not packed like buses in the Andes.
More different airlines, and not less.
Customer service representatives who actually served, you know, customers.
People are sheep and will take what they're fed.

 

Man purse and you're straight... ummm, yeah.





not that there's anything wrong with that

 

You know if Al-Qaeda wants to win the hearts and minds of Americans it should start executing airline executives.

Fuck the suits at United with a rusty fucking chainsaw.

 

I'm old enough to remember when flying was glamorous.

"Yes, I'll have that third free scotch, please: and a glass of the French Burgundy with my chicken kiev".

Now, it's just marginally better than bus.

 

How long before they start charging for carry-ons I wonder.

 

I think Air Canada was thinking about it.

 

That's all true.

And it cost a good deal more, especially adjusted for inflation.

Public doesn't want to pay the price for genteel coach travel, anymore . . . the leisure traveler has spoken. . . see: Southwest.
Soooo-eeeeeeeee . . .

I'd be fascinated to see one of the majors go back to 60's style service to multiple cities, and price it at a point where they could make a fair buck running at 80%
capacity.

Don't hold your breath.

I'm very afraid that given that scenario, 80% capacity would be a slight overstatement.

 

Bipartisan progress, right there, aqb.
Maybe Obama's onto something.
Ben -- I don't think the word "leisure" has applied to US air travel in a very long time.

 

Agree that mental cruelty ain't leisure.

Use the word "discretionary", and take it from there.

 

I think what drives the fail in US airlines is really the number of people who now HAVE to fly for business. If it really were discretionary travel, they'd have to compete with better service. Now, all they have to do is land the plane in one piece.

 

Adding to the list of Statements I Never Thought I'd See...

 

Deliberately-decreased capacity plays a considerable role in this dynamic.

But the leisure/vacation traveler can go, or not.

They'll pay $300 or so to fly round-trip to Vegas, from the East.

They won't pay $450 . . . not willingly.