Drive 13 hours to say DC to pick up someone from college, or "endure" a 75 minute plain ride.

_________________

i do agree with some complaints - an extra row of seats x cycles a day x 24 years = that much more revenue generated at the expense of a tiny bit of comfort for the paying passengers.

at the same time, from aug. 2021 wsj:



plenty of the delusional who want to fly 1,000 miles and pay $39. no basis to complain, take fucking greyhound.

What is your expectation for flying? You want the spa treatment?

The cost is cheaper than a rental car and/or gas in most cases. They give you a free snack and drink if you want it. Maybe even a meal if you're leaving the country. You have entertainment options to block out all of the noise around you. They safely take you to your destination in a fraction of the time that it would have taken you to drive. They're almost always on time or early.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

I'd like pleasant staff, ready to problem solve and diffuse. I'd like a clean airplane. I'd like sensible boarding that doesn't reward people who are taking advantage of the respectful. I'd like tighter control of overheads v. stored so that people aren't reduced to a death match for space. I'd like reasonably sized seats with greater arm room.

and, us carriers are on time about 75% of the time, with only two ranking in the top 20 of airlines globally.

I don't think any of what I would like is unreasonable.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

What interactions with staff are you having besides handing someone your boarding pass or passport? What problems are you having besides someone possibly sitting in your seat by accident? What airline has dirty planes? Are you traveling on Soul Plane? You think the group boarding system isn't efficient enough? Completely agree about the overheads wars, but I don't expect perfection. They have bigger and better seats for a few more dollars.

I'm not exactly sure how they measure these things, but 80% is still great and I imagine that you haven't had many flights that weren't on time in the past 5 to 10 years.

Unreasonable is a very subjective word. I'm disappointed to learn that good dolphin is a diva.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

Getting to the airport, through security and getting your luggage makes that a 6-hour experience. That's without the delays that are common now with crew shortages and weather. It's an ordeal to fly now. Long drives with traffic can be worse as you note, but if it's ok weather and traffic free... it's a debate.

_________________
Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

The free market proved that the cheapest flight wins 99% of the time. At least the option to pay more for extra legroom and some of the extras is available. No one should ever be able to complain about air travel if they don't take the relatively cheap upgrade option and instead care mostly about having 3 hours of discomfort to save $39-$79.

_________________
You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

That’s why a return of business travel volume is so important - that group generally doesn’t give a shit what they pay for the ticket.

Also, anybody who reclines on a plane does so with the understanding he’s an asshole. He (or she!) may try to justify why he’s acting like an asshole, but all roads end in the same place.

_________________

I just don't see it returning. Companies see how much they saved, and the thought is why did we spend this? There might be sales meetings, but I don't see conferences bouncing back anytime soon. They were thinly veiled parties. Not saying I don't wish to return to Vegas or New Orleans for a few weeks every year, but seems like those will be digital going forward.

_________________
Why are only 14 percent of black CPS 11th-graders proficient in English?

We had two big industry conferences in November. The one in Dallas was lightly attended, while the San Diego one had a big turnout. Much like Vegas being packed again, people want to get back out. Companies have saved on their travel and entertainment budgets for the better part of two years. I see a wave of spending once things open up.

But it may never return to what it was. I doubt I will do as many in person meetings going forward. The Zoom thing is much easier…..

_________________
Hawaii (fuck) You

_________________

Sometimes I enjoy a road trip if it is inside of a 10-hour drive and I know I can get there in one day and i have good company, but no way am i choosing to do that regularly over the ease and relatively low cost of taking a flight. I fly a number of times a year and honestly have not found it to be that big of a hassle, or at least any more of a hassle than it has been since maybe back before 9/11. I did have one flight get delayed back in the summer that was a pain in the ass but it never made me wish i was driving to Florida instead.

Business travel is slowly starting. I fly to Chicago pretty much every other week to visit my father, and I'm starting to see more business travelers on those morning flights as well as when I get to O'Hare or Midway.

Conference and convention attendance is a big part of it. I know the radiologists are back at McCormick Place this week, that's a huge one which used to totally screw up hotel prices. And any associations who run conferences in the 100-700 attendee range are sucking wind and are deciding they can't offer virtual options anymore or they won't survive. Not to mention your midsize hotels which specialize in that stuff.

_________________
"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

i do agree with you, hence the success of southwest, spirit and frontier. southwest was/is bus service. want to fly to atlanta? no prob, but we're stopping in memphis and chattanooga before atlanta.

the legacy airlines were the bastion of 1st class and all that comes with it, and delta is winning the current lap. there are still plenty of wealthy people and business commuters who will pay 4x's-6x's the amount of what an economy pax pays. delta understands this, united is still in the mix, while aa's u.s. air-america west mngt. have absolutely no clue what they want to be.

most passengers don't understand that so much work is contracted out - vendors and contractors. one example is cabin service. the planes are indeed nasty, but that work is contracted out at all the legacy airlines. no quality, but, cheaper labor. need wheelchair service? contractors. fueling delay? contractors.

This is still my best thread and one the best cfmb topics ever

_________________
Fare you well, fare you well
I love you more than words can tell
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
To rock my soul

Your high opinion of yourself, and your takes... continues.

_________________
"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Outside of the small percentage of big shooters most first class flyers are on points or perks. Naturally airlines would lower the cost of treating them.

_________________
Elections have consequences.

I often wonder if that is the case.

I used the lowest possible points to go to OK a couple of weeks ago and got free upgrades each way.

I was on a United flight a couple of years ago and got upgraded. I ended up sitting next to a guy who held United's highest status. I sked him to put in simple terms what that status gets him.

He says, " I'll put it to you this way, if I'm running late, they hold planes departures for me."

I was like damn, that's a nice perk.

_________________

Keeping a mask on for 6 or 7 hours was tough the first time. Still better than the "unexpected" accident or construction on a long road trip.

_________________
Be well

GO BEARS!!!

most of the points are used for hawaii and vegas, etc..the number of flights to those cities have been cut.

the proof that the well-to-do are willing to pay top dollar for premium seats is delta. less flights and planes than an aa, but pull in apprx. the same revenue with better margins. aa has basically pulled out of jfk and bos. i guess there are no millionaires nor business travelers in those areas. america west people run the airline and use the wrong philosophy. the low cost carrier philosophy with an airline that had/has a powerhouse route system. they're going for the spirit and frontier passengers and it's not working.

Does not happen.

_________________

I flew home for Thanksgiving and most of the first class seats were sold out a week in advance. So not upgraders, mostly couples or families buying the seats in advance.

A friend of mine still flies United a lot and says that unless you are in their unpublished Global Services tier (pre-COVID was about $50k/year spend) upgrades on flights are really difficult these days, even with covid effects. The airline would rather sell an upgrade from coach for $100 at check-in to someone with no status than to give it away for free as a perk.

_________________
"When people want their version of the truth, they go find it, no matter how baseless their beliefs." -- Ken Rosenthal

I'm Silver Premier I think.

I don't spend $50K a year. I get that from status on my Marriott Card.

_________________

For enough miles you can book first class in advance. Not just upgrades day of.

_________________
Elections have consequences.

Looks like JORR might need to go back to (leg) rehab. Also a candidate for the asshole cop thread.

Waiting for Frank to explain how the cyclist didn't belong in the crosswalk.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

Neither the cop nor the cyclist did what they were supposed to at a STOP sign. If one or the other had obeyed the law, this wouldn't have happened.

50-50 fault here.

_________________

When does a cyclist ever belong in a crosswalk.

_________________

Only when he's executing a box turn. But the fact that a guy on a bike is doing something wrong doesn't give motorists carte blanche to blow stop signs and mow him down at will.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Elon, Tulsi, and Don

That cop needs a street named after him