Jet fuel is $2.96 a gallon? I'm not sure if cars can run on jet fuel, but fill me up

farkstallone55: Jet fuel is $2.96 a gallon? I'm not sure if cars can run on jet fuel, but fill me up

I don't know about your car, but according to Wikipedia, I can run my diesel VW on it, but it'll cause excessive wear without additives, so I don't know that I'd be saving anything in the long run...

Where did Southwest rank in all of this?

Who's going to invent flying luggage that can meet you at the hotel? I'll chip in a fiver for that Kickstarter project.

Naughty Sarah, the biter. Sounds like a Farker's wet dream.

farkstallone55: Jet fuel is $2.96 a gallon?

Probably a bulk rate, if not subsidized. Not my industry, but I do know most of the airlines have contracts and derivatives for this sort of thing anyway.

Jeezus, wrong thread.

This is why I'm never flying again. TSA invasion of privacy, ridiculous charges, shiate service, drunk pilots, cramped seating, can't take more than three ounces of water with me, weather delays... It's trains and boats for me unless in times of extreme emergency. Flying has become a complete waste of money, and I can't wait for the rest of the world to realize it.

Fly Southwest, if you can. My biggest regret is moving away from RDU airport. Now, when I want to fly home, I have to fly out of Roanoke airport whose ticket prices are outrageous
There is no point to my post. I'm flying to visit my folks on Monday and I hate flying. Being gouged by baggage fees on top of ticket prices is bullshiat.

Herr Morgenstern: This is why I'm never flying again. TSA invasion of privacy, ridiculous charges, shiate service, drunk pilots, cramped seating, can't take more than three ounces of water with me, weather delays... It's trains and boats for me unless in times of extreme emergency. Flying has become a complete waste of money, and I can't wait for the rest of the world to realize it.

Dunno about waste of money. I just got tickets for a day trip from Boston to National airport for under $170. Leave my house at 5:30, be standing in the Air and Space Museum by about 9:30 (assuming it opens that early - I should check).

Also flying JetBlue, so no cramped seats.

/I agree with you on the rest

EnviroDude: Mock26: Where did Southwest rank in all of this?

Southwest gives you two free bags and your carry ons

Also they don't try and pretend they're anything but a bus service that happens to be capable of flight. Let's face it: unless you are paying for first class, that's all an airplane is. Within that, Southwest is very pleasant. I'll take them over pretty much any other (domestic US) airline any day... unless I get a free first class ticket. Even then if they still want me to pay for bags on whatever other hypothetical airline it is.

I'm sure all of the pilots that are striking, due to American Airlines saying that these are tough financial times and they can't afford raises, are getting a kick out of this.

For what it's worth, I find that you can get your bags checked for free on pretty much any flight these days. Just take them through security, then go up to the gate and ask them if they need people to volunteer to check bags. Since most people are dragging tons of stuff on the plane, they are usually very happy to check it for you at no charge.

/flies JetBlue whenever possible, so normally not a problem

Nick Nostril: Jeezus, wrong thread.

I was totally wracking my brain trying to figure out the non-existant reference...

Herr Morgenstern: This is why I'm never flying again. TSA invasion of privacy, ridiculous charges, shiate service, drunk pilots, cramped seating, can't take more than three ounces of water with me, weather delays... It's trains and boats for me unless in times of extreme emergency. Flying has become a complete waste of money, and I can't wait for the rest of the world to realize it.

Mostly just an American phenomenon, it is spreading, but .. still focussed on the chicken hawk nation.
I fly often, trains and boats take too long.

dragonchild: farkstallone55: Jet fuel is $2.96 a gallon?

Probably a bulk rate, if not subsidized. Not my industry, but I do know most of the airlines have contracts and derivatives for this sort of thing anyway.

Airlines lock into multi-year deals for fuel. It either saves them money or costs the passengers more in ticket prices when it goes higher.

And they still cant make money for some reason

Vito Andolini: For what it's worth, I find that you can get your bags checked for free on pretty much any flight these days. Just take them through security, then go up to the gate and ask them if they need people to volunteer to check bags. Since most people are dragging tons of stuff on the plane, they are usually very happy to check it for you at no charge.

/flies JetBlue whenever possible, so normally not a problem

Get ready for the upcoming charge on this. It will be about 15 bucks pretty soon. No more free ride, hasn't happened yet because TSA allows oversized and heavy bags to go through security scans but the major airlines are 'working' towards a solution to prevent this. Moar cash $$$

enry: Herr Morgenstern: This is why I'm never flying again. TSA invasion of privacy, ridiculous charges, shiate service, drunk pilots, cramped seating, can't take more than three ounces of water with me, weather delays... It's trains and boats for me unless in times of extreme emergency. Flying has become a complete waste of money, and I can't wait for the rest of the world to realize it.

Dunno about waste of money. I just got tickets for a day trip from Boston to National airport for under $170. Leave my house at 5:30, be standing in the Air and Space Museum by about 9:30 (assuming it opens that early - I should check).

Also flying JetBlue, so no cramped seats.

/I agree with you on the rest

You're going downtown? All the cool stuff is at Udvar-Hazy!

People tend to take way more clothing than they need. Try limiting yourself to what can fit into a backback and you'll be surprised how easy it is. When you consider what the check bag fee is, you'll save money paying to have your clothes washed at some point in your trip rather than checking. I travel for work all the time and have no problem get enough work, exercise and casual clothes into a backpack for a week (with doing laundry once).

And it's a lot less stressful to travel with a tiny amount of luggage than having huge suitcases to lug around.

Slartibartfaster: Mostly just an American phenomenon, it is spreading, but .. still focussed on the chicken hawk nation.
I fly often, trains and boats take too long.

With the risk of being 'that guy', high speed trains are actually faster in many cases (if you calculate door-to-door), assuming you can get from point A to point B using high speed.

Herr Morgenstern: This is why I'm never flying again. TSA invasion of privacy, ridiculous charges, shiate service, drunk pilots, cramped seating, can't take more than three ounces of water with me, weather delays... It's trains and boats for me unless in times of extreme emergency. Flying has become a complete waste of money, and I can't wait for the rest of the world to realize it.

$10,000 and we sail for Europe!
$200 to Nantucket.

Mock26: Where did Southwest rank in all of this?

Ranked #1 with me

Fly private, much more convenient and no bag fees, plus better looking attendants and a deeper liquor cabinet. Also I have to be at the gym in 26 minutes

groppet: And they still cant make money for some reason

By design. If a company with union workers makes too much money, the workers go on strike. Which is how it should work, but money going to the people who actually do the work is offensive for some reason. So the airlines always do whatever they have to with their budgets to operate on the verge of bankruptcy, and sometimes in it. This can mean raiding the cash coffers, which is something the executives are more than happy to do.

DoBeDoBeDo: enry: Herr Morgenstern: This is why I'm never flying again. TSA invasion of privacy, ridiculous charges, shiate service, drunk pilots, cramped seating, can't take more than three ounces of water with me, weather delays... It's trains and boats for me unless in times of extreme emergency. Flying has become a complete waste of money, and I can't wait for the rest of the world to realize it.

Dunno about waste of money. I just got tickets for a day trip from Boston to National airport for under $170. Leave my house at 5:30, be standing in the Air and Space Museum by about 9:30 (assuming it opens that early - I should check).

Also flying JetBlue, so no cramped seats.

/I agree with you on the rest

You're going downtown? All the cool stuff is at Udvar-Hazy!

I keep meaning to get out there some time. Maybe once the Metro makes it all the way out since I almost never have a car. My usual thing when I'm in town is to touch the moon rock and stare at SpaceShip One for a bit.

The trunk of my car has zero baggage fees, and is still generally cheaper to use unless there's a huge body of water blocking the route.

And along the way I can also see more interesting things, not be hassled endlessly by TSA buffoons and strangers, pack whatever the fark I like, eat better, etc.

Stop paying for the experience of being treated like cattle. Maybe airlines will catch on and change how they operate.

thornhill: People tend to take way more clothing than they need. Try limiting yourself to what can fit into a backback and you'll be surprised how easy it is. When you consider what the check bag fee is, you'll save money paying to have your clothes washed at some point in your trip rather than checking. I travel for work all the time and have no problem get enough work, exercise and casual clothes into a backpack for a week (with doing laundry once).

And it's a lot less stressful to travel with a tiny amount of luggage than having huge suitcases to lug around.

It's hard to travel for a week with a backpack when a woman is involved. I have to take a few extra clothes items so I don't look like a hobo at dinner. Plus my wife, being a woman, needs a lot of products and shoes and clothes. If you think I should try to change that, you have probably never been married!

It would be interesting to see how long it would take for baggage fees, 'premium seat' (which now means not a middle seat) fees and the like would last if the government started charging the same 7.5% tax on those as they do the tickets. 'Unbundling' had been sold to the customers as a way to pay for what you use, when in fact it is a tax dodge that ends up losing revenue for the fund that supports airport infrastructure and the air traffic control system.

/Have fun flying VOR routings well into the future, cause upgrades are still a long way off

if a 747 can lift the space shuttle for flight..I'm call B****it on excess baggage weight fees

Jument: thornhill: People tend to take way more clothing than they need. Try limiting yourself to what can fit into a backback and you'll be surprised how easy it is. When you consider what the check bag fee is, you'll save money paying to have your clothes washed at some point in your trip rather than checking. I travel for work all the time and have no problem get enough work, exercise and casual clothes into a backpack for a week (with doing laundry once).

And it's a lot less stressful to travel with a tiny amount of luggage than having huge suitcases to lug around.

It's hard to travel for a week with a backpack when a woman is involved. I have to take a few extra clothes items so I don't look like a hobo at dinner. Plus my wife, being a woman, needs a lot of products and shoes and clothes. If you think I should try to change that, you have probably never been married!

Dare I say it, but she could probably get by with a little less product, or putting it into 3oz bottles. I mean, I've traveled with women who bring every single thing from their bathroom but only actually use a fraction of it.

I've flown most of the major domestic airlines, and a few of their puddle jumpers. I avoid flying on holidays at all possible and stick to the safe days, or just drive. I think I have about a 30% "LIF" or Luggage Is Farked tally going on. LIF=lost, late, suitcase torn, TSA didn't like something and taped it shut afterwards or shiat....pick something.

20 years ago I didn't pay for shiat unless I was crating up a farking circus. Now? $30 a bag. Gone are the days of sneaking in Crown Royal on a red-eye and there's only 12 people on the plane.

Herr Morgenstern: This is why I'm never flying again. TSA invasion of privacy, ridiculous charges, shiate service, drunk pilots, cramped seating, can't take more than three ounces of water with me, weather delays... It's trains and boats for me unless in times of extreme emergency. Flying has become a complete waste of money, and I can't wait for the rest of the world to realize it.

Your time must not be worth a whole lot. A few hours on a plane and in an airport, or an entire day/several days with perpetually-delayed trains/slow boats? Time is money, I'd rather pay a bit more and get there in half the time or less.

Man! Good time to be an airline executive - the only skill you need at any meeting is "How can we charge the customer for this service?"

Herr Morgenstern: This is why I'm never flying again. TSA invasion of privacy, ridiculous charges, shiate service, drunk pilots, cramped seating, can't take more than three ounces of water with me, weather delays... It's trains and boats for me unless in times of extreme emergency. Flying has become a complete waste of money, and I can't wait for the rest of the world to realize it.

I am definitely not taking a boat or train to Mexico. Your friggin nuts.

Wittenberg Dropout: Who's going to invent flying luggage that can meet you at the hotel? I'll chip in a fiver for that Kickstarter project.

Just use FedEX or UPS and let the hotel know it's coming for you. -A ton of people do that these days.

yukichigai: EnviroDude: Mock26: Where did Southwest rank in all of this?

Southwest gives you two free bags and your carry ons

Also they don't try and pretend they're anything but a bus service that happens to be capable of flight. Let's face it: unless you are paying for first class, that's all an airplane is. Within that, Southwest is very pleasant. I'll take them over pretty much any other (domestic US) airline any day... unless I get a free first class ticket. Even then if they still want me to pay for bags on whatever other hypothetical airline it is.

My biggest problem with Southwest is the people who fly it. The last time I flew Southwest there were people at the gate waiting in line so that they could get a good seat, but there were still two flights between theirs and the very next flight! The main reason I do not fly Southwest is that most of the time I fly I am flying home to near Erie, PA, and Southwest does not fly there. They can get be within a couple hours drive of where I live, but it is simply easier for me to fly into Erie.

enry: DoBeDoBeDo: enry: Herr Morgenstern: This is why I'm never flying again. TSA invasion of privacy, ridiculous charges, shiate service, drunk pilots, cramped seating, can't take more than three ounces of water with me, weather delays... It's trains and boats for me unless in times of extreme emergency. Flying has become a complete waste of money, and I can't wait for the rest of the world to realize it.

Dunno about waste of money. I just got tickets for a day trip from Boston to National airport for under $170. Leave my house at 5:30, be standing in the Air and Space Museum by about 9:30 (assuming it opens that early - I should check).

Also flying JetBlue, so no cramped seats.

/I agree with you on the rest

You're going downtown? All the cool stuff is at Udvar-Hazy!

I keep meaning to get out there some time. Maybe once the Metro makes it all the way out since I almost never have a car. My usual thing when I'm in town is to touch the moon rock and stare at SpaceShip One for a bit.

There's a bus that runs from the downtown museum direct to Udvar-Hazy and back. Just ask at the info desk.

Mock26:
My biggest problem with Southwest is the people who fly it. The last time I flew Southwest there were people at the gate waiting in line so that they could get a good seat, but there were still two flights between theirs and the very next flight!

The line queue is determined when you check in (there's a letter-number order), so it's not trying to get a good seat, if they're lined up that early. Unless SWA is doing something different in the airports you've flown it out of, or you really haven't flown SWA in a long while.

I have never paid baggage fees since that whole idea went into play about 4 years ago. I bought a suitcase that is *just* small enough to fit in the overhead bin. It can easily fit 3-5 days worth of clothes and small toiletries. Coupled with a laptop bag for anything extra, and you are good to go.
Fwiw For international travel, every carrier I know of still flies bags free.

thornhill: People tend to take way more clothing than they need. Try limiting yourself to what can fit into a backback and you'll be surprised how easy it is. When you consider what the check bag fee is, you'll save money paying to have your clothes washed at some point in your trip rather than checking. I travel for work all the time and have no problem get enough work, exercise and casual clothes into a backpack for a week (with doing laundry once).

And it's a lot less stressful to travel with a tiny amount of luggage than having huge suitcases to lug around.

($50 checked bag fee + hauling a bunch of your old crap around) fails completely next to ($25 at a local Target or Ross for a couple of shirts). Once I realized this equation worked in my favor for most of my travel destinations, and freshens my wardrobe in the process, I've never carried anything but my laptop bag. Now someone's going to ask me if I'm not Mr. Spendypants in my new shirt running to the gym in 26 minutes, but really, isn't the frugal thing to do at least get some value (in this case some new clothes) from that money instead of just handing it to the airline and getting nothing?