Looks like I picked the wrong ______ to stop sniffing glue.

I had a nice trip on Amtrak a few months ago. I'll definitely consider doing that again.

Looking more appealing all the time!

kidsizedcoffin: Looks like I picked the wrong ______ to stop sniffing glue.

orifice from which

This is stupid. If they need revenue, maybe they should try raising fares instead of nickel and diming everyone and pissing off the masses, driving them to Southwest.

abutcher: This is stupid. If they need revenue, maybe they should try raising fares instead of nickel and diming everyone and pissing off the masses, driving them to Southwest.

Yes but, Southwest will not or does not go out of the U.S. that I know of and when I fly that is where I go

a near miss ... is a HIT!

*BOOM* Look, they nearly missed.

abutcher: This is stupid. If they need revenue, maybe they should try raising fares instead of nickel and diming everyone and pissing off the masses, driving them to Southwest.

FTFA: Southwest Airlines Co. avoids most of the fees charged by rivals, and brags about that in television ads. Senior vice president of marketing Dave Ridley said the money other carriers make from fees might be offset by passengers booking their next flight on Southwest.

But Southwest will soon survey consumers about charges, and Ridley wouldn't rule out fees in the future.

abutcher: This is stupid. If they need revenue, maybe they should try raising fares instead of nickel and diming everyone and pissing off the masses, driving them to Southwest.

We'll see how Southwest does when the fuel hedging effect is over.

"The fees are here to stay, and there will be more of them," he said. "Honestly, I think it's better for consumers. If I pack light, why should I pay for the guy who packs heavy?"

Because, moron, if everybody packs light you're going to pay higher airfare anyway.

George Hobica, founder of airfarewatchdog.com, a discount-travel Web site, expects airlines to start charging extra for carry-on bags, booking a flight online, and picking a seat assignment.

fees for carry-on? fees for online booking? WTF

so if i show up for my next flight naked and with no carry-on i can skip the security check AND save money?

McManus_brothers: a near miss ... is a HIT!

*BOOM* Look, they nearly missed.

Yes, but not quite!

Hobica thinks charging passengers by weight makes perfect sense because they cause the plane to burn more fuel. But he admits a poundage penalty might be hard to sell, and so would charging for oxygen masks.

Because nothing says "profit margin" quite like "paying for emergency equipment?"

"We'd love to save your life, but you didn't pay for a seat belt, oxygen mask, or flotation cushion - you took the 'EconoMiser' flight package. Please, try to go limp and avoid obstructing other, higher-paying passengers."

Fans of "unbundling," as it's called, say it gives travelers lower base fares with the option of paying for extras that they really want, from beverages to blankets.

Fans? Who are these fans of which you speak and are their paychecks signed by American Airlines by any chance? Somehow I don't think we're paying any less for ticket even if we don't purchase any of the "optional extras".

Northwest thinking they are going to raise $150 million from baggage fees is a joke. I'm a NW Gold Elite, and even though I get to check for free, I've simply given up on it after damage and theft of camera gear. I now ship everything for a shoot via FedEx, and have never had a problem with it since I started doing it. Nothing has been broken, nothing has been stolen, and nothing has gotten lost. I always ship so that my gear arrives at my location before I leave for it, that way I'm positive it's there. Sometimes it costs me a little bit more, but the piece of mind is worth every penny. If I had any other option besides Northworst, I'd never fly that farking airline again in my life.

Pay extra for booking online? They save money that way. Placing an order with a person even in India is not as cheap as booking online.

That's fine for the rare traveler. I would think they prefer a way to custom fit their trip without paying for perks they dont need.

Problem I have is flights have become more complex for those of us that use the system weekly. We want to fly with as little hassel as possible. Enough with the stupid shiat up front.

The "black diamond" lane idea seemed good to me but has not yet worked out. Hockey moms need to wrangle the crotchfruit out of the way of the belt.

PoderOmega: Pay extra for booking online? They save money that way. Placing an order with a person even in India is not as cheap as booking online.

This confuses me too. Anyone know of a logical reason to do this?

With all this travel BS, I've totally changed my lifestyle from "consultant" traveling across the U.S. to "rides bike to work". I'm lucky enough that my current gig allows that.

I intend to totally work from home within the next two months, and drive the car only two times per week. I could get by with once per week, but my car is really fun to drive.

I flew Korean Air last month and got a blanket, beer and sandwich (served by smoking hot stewardesses) for no extra charge on a 52-minute flight. Screw American airlines.

Here's one they just made up: "near miss". When two planes almost collide, they call it a near miss. It's a near hit. A collision is a near miss.



This link is so hot... linked..

RobertBruce: I had a nice trip on Amtrak a few months ago. I'll definitely consider doing that again.

That's most likely because you're not a woman. Every time I take Amtrak I spend the 2-3 days being chased back and forth along the cars by lonely old men. It was particularly creepy how hot on my trail they were when I was a teen.

FilmBELOH20
If I had any other option besides Northworst, I'd never fly that farking airline again in my life.

Oh God, THIS. So many bad experiences.

+1 Headline Subby. That sounds exactly like my last flight.

T.M.S.: That's fine for the rare traveler. I would think they prefer a way to custom fit their trip without paying for perks they dont need.

Problem I have is flights have become more complex for those of us that use the system weekly. We want to fly with as little hassel as possible. Enough with the stupid shiat up front.

The "black diamond" lane idea seemed good to me but has not yet worked out. Hockey moms need to wrangle the crotchfruit out of the way of the belt.

My problem is not with the hockey moms so much, as the airlines for turning me into one. I refuse to pack my main video camera, underwater housing or laptop. So when I go through security, I have to drag out my laptop and video camera, take my shoes and belt off, empty my pockets completely, and then they always double check my housing and lights in the x-ray to figure out what the hell it is. So I hold up the line just as much as any soccer mom, and I'm a very seasoned traveler. HAd I not had to carry all of that shiat with me to make sure it didn't get stolen, or thrown around and broke, I'd be more than happy getting on a plane with my ticket and a good book. As it stands now, I ship everything, and carry on the essentials to be able to do a job. As a result, I hold up the line quite a bit, and I know I'm not the only photographer/video guy who does this now. Who's fault? Airlines and TSA.

George Hobica, founder of airfarewatchdog.com, a discount-travel Web site, expects airlines to start charging extra for carry-on bags, booking a flight online, and picking a seat assignment.
"The fees are here to stay, and there will be more of them," he said. "Honestly, I think it's better for consumers. If I pack light, why should I pay for the guy who packs heavy?"

Hmmm, I guess all of the equipment and personnel needed to weigh passengers and their luggage will be given free of charge to the airlines by some magic equipment fairy? He doesn't think the airlines will pass on (and increase) the additional costs to buy and maintain this equipment? What if the additional costs are greater than his current subsidy to the "heavy" passenger? Sometimes I think people get carried away with their outrage regarding "their" money.

When did people begin to think flying is a right they're entitled to have cheap? I blame air miles on non-business accounts.

The smart airline who decides to stick with "bundle" pricing will end up benefiting from this, as consumers will flock there rather than go through all the calculating and hoop jumping involved in the new pricing models.

I almost always fly United Airlines. How much extra would I have to pay for common courtesy? Swear to Jeebus, I'd pay it.

//Would also pay for hot stewardesses in short skirts -- but how about courtesy first.

FTFA: George Hobica, founder of airfarewatchdog.com, a discount-travel Web site, expects airlines to start charging extra for carry-on bags, booking a flight online, and picking a seat assignment.

"The fees are here to stay, and there will be more of them," he said. "Honestly, I think it's better for consumers. If I pack light, why should I pay for the guy who packs heavy?"


Ok, fair enough, then I want my ticket charged by the pound. Why should I pay for fat people?

Hey folks, if you want to pay 1980s prices here in the 21st Century, then get used to it.

/TSA is the biggest headache traveling today

Platinum on Delta for 10 years. I'll be the last to pay any fees like this, one because of status and two because it is 99% business travel.

They should charge you by total weight, plain and simple. 100lb girl with two 50 pound bags should have same fare as a 200lb man (though, she should have to pay a small handling fee).

Bring on a la carte pricing. But bring it to health care, too while you're at it.

They should have a button that would shock some annoying person of your choosing with a non-lethal but amusing jolt. They could charge maybe 5 bucks a press, maybe 10 bucks for a kid. It would be the best in-flight entertainment system ever and it would generate a ton of revenue.

Headline sounds like Drew's travel itinerary.

Clarky: +1 Headline Subby. That sounds exactly like my last flight.

Thank you. It was from an experience I had this year flying. I had the Denver/Minneapolis portion happen. Fellow traveler had the rest.

Funny thing is I got the meal from the airport I was landing in. Durrr......

BBRModitha: Here's one they just made up: "near miss". When two planes almost collide, they call it a near miss. It's a near hit. A collision is a near miss.
This link is so hot... linked..

I came in here for that, thank you!

BBRModitha: Here's one they just made up: "near miss". When two planes almost collide, they call it a near miss. It's a near hit. A collision is a near miss.

are they trying to distinguish between a far miss here?

I almost always fly United Airlines. How much extra would I have to pay for common courtesy? Swear to Jeebus, I'd pay it.


I am, ironically, in the United Airlines lounge at O Hare. First time I've flown them in a while (company makes me fly American if possible). While American's planes frequently don't leave because the wings fell off they are at least polite.

The people here were flat out uncooperative and not nice.

At ten grand a ticket you can farking afford to smile at me

Ok I'm stupid. Why the airline deregulation is good?

/No really

As long as they don't charge a fee for bringing KY on board, the flight should be fine....

/@(#*$(#@ing airlines.

I hate United and avoid them at all costs. Horrible, horrible customer service all around. Plus, they charge an arm, leg, and left testicle even for carry on. Their security check points are ridiculous.

Coming back from MN one time there was snow. It hadn't snowed the whole time, but when I got to MSP it started. My NW flight was canceled and they shoved me onto an A380 for United.

Three hours on the tarmac in that plane. They wouldn't turn the air on, no beverages or anything, they just said shut up and deal. It was almost a riot on that thing.

They deiced the wings, then ran out of fuel. They fueled up. They had to deice again. They waited forever to move to get to take off. They had to deice again. Then they needed more fuel. More deicing, more fuel, more waiting. There were literally five planes out there the whole time, and four of them took of 2 hours before we did.

It wasn't that much snow dammit. It was literally a quick flurry that required one deicing, hitting the runway, and going.

Then I had the four hour flight back.

Never flying United again if I can help it. That was just ridiculous.

I, thankfully, haven't had to fly since 2000. If I ever fly again, it's going to either be at company expense with a company laptop (I'll leave mine at home so it doesn't get lost, stolen or destroyed) or I'll just drive to where I'm going. Given what I do, there is little chance the company will ever send me over seas.

Raging Thespian: PoderOmega: Pay extra for booking online? They save money that way. Placing an order with a person even in India is not as cheap as booking online.

This confuses me too. Anyone know of a logical reason to do this?

Because airlines quite literally hate their customers.

FormlessOne: Hobica thinks charging passengers by weight makes perfect sense because they cause the plane to burn more fuel. But he admits a poundage penalty might be hard to sell, and so would charging for oxygen masks.

Because nothing says "profit margin" quite like "paying for emergency equipment?"

"We'd love to save your life, but you didn't pay for a seat belt, oxygen mask, or flotation cushion - you took the 'EconoMiser' flight package. Please, try to go limp and avoid obstructing other, higher-paying passengers."

Okay, "DAVID KOENIG, AP Business Writer," what's your Fark handle? 'Cos it looks like you read this thread of mine from earlier this year... :)

yup.driving most anywhere i go,and wasting fuel while im at it.
id rather put up with non english speaking people running gas stations and having to call my credit card company everytime i buy gas 300 miles from home than to deal with this great big clusterfark that flying has become. scruu em. but i only travel for fun,not business. and i can stop when i want too,no real itinerary
for me.

SlothB77: are they trying to distinguish between a far miss here?

Yep. I don't really care if an aircraft misses another by ten miles, but if it missed by ten feet it might be cause for some worry. Hence the term "near miss".

/Near miss ≠ nearly missed

porterm: yup.driving most anywhere i go,and wasting fuel while im at it.
id rather put up with non english speaking people running gas stations and having to call my credit card company everytime i buy gas 300 miles from home than to deal with this great big clusterfark that flying has become. scruu em. but i only travel for fun,not business. and i can stop when i want too,no real itinerary
for me.

"Consumers don't understand airline pricing, and they certainly don't understand yield management," said Peter Belobaba, an expert on airline pricing at MIT. "Air Canada is saying, 'We're practicing all those pricing strategies, but at least we're laying it out for you.'"

Remember, consumer: you're a blithering idiot who needs the wise old corporation to guide you.

As for me, I don't want to be the target of "strategy". I want to pay a fixed amount of money for my bags and I to fly a certain distance, along with a little something to eat if it's going to be awhile. And while they're at it, I'd like a damned pack of airline playing cards and a pillow.

And plastic pilot wings.

what's the going rate for getting you and your bag(s) to the same destination at the same time?