Are You Taking a Plane Anytime Soon?
Why we need to short United Airlines stock (see article below)! I won't be flying them again, or Alaska, or American, or Northworst, or US Airways... I think I better get the oil changed in the car, as I don't think flying is good for my health any more....
So if I have ONE bag that weighs 100 lbs, will that comply with United’s new rules? I wonder if they will start charging me to use the on-flight porta-potty also? Will soda and peanuts be phased out also and or will a small 5$ charge be applied to passengers who take the peanut option? Wait, they have replaced peanuts with pretzels, my apology... peanut allergies! Hold your horses, pretzels have too much salt. No more pretzels. “Soda 5$, Beer 10$, please have exact change.” Maybe comfortable seats will be phased out as well, as wooden-bench seats have become vogue and more economical? They can take the armrest out and put more people in the air bus? Maybe for a small upgrade they can install aluminum seats for business travelers? Hmmm I wonder if my electronic gadgets will conflict with the aluminum? I can’t use my MP3, DVD, CD, Cell, anything that has a wireless connection, and or anything that transmits electronic signals inside the plane anyway. Maybe they might start assessing a fee when my seat back is not in the upright position? Oh I forgot, the benches don’t have seat backs. Maybe they will start charging me when the plane is late because I wasn't responsible enough to check the courtesy e-mail the previous day or I didn't check in early enough?
If you have to check your ONE bag at the airline, does it really save them to use these new fangled computer check-in systems? I still have to get my boarding pass, my stickers for my ONE bag, and they have to check my identification. I still have to wait in a long line to put my bag on the turnstile, don’t I? Last time I used the outside check in on the way to Ireland, I didn’t see my bag for a week. What is a weary traveler to do?
Now the Security Nazis, another line? Maybe if I don’t take off my shoes at the security checkpoint, I can get a free soda while I wait in the long and stinky line with bare feet people? Wait, liquids are not allowed. Maybe I don’t want to open my laptop! How many of those trays do some people have to use anyway? I guess if you are only allowed ONE bag to check in, and ONE bag as a carry-on, we may have to start stuffing things in our undergarments to get them onto the plane with us. If I don’t want the airline to lose my bag, and I need a toothbrush, shampoo, and deodorant, just as long as they are secure inside a micro-ziplock baggy. How do I get all my things I need to my destination? Now do I bring my ID though the metal detector and my boarding pass, or just my boarding pass? My wallet is in the X-ray, I apologize. Belt on or off? Jewelry on or off? Wait at the red line for the TSA guy to stop chatting with the guy behind the big X-ray TV? “Come on, I want to wait at my gate for my plane that is going to be three hours late.” Can I leave and come back? Repeat process. Let's get this thing moving! How many TSA guys do they really need anyway? OAK had at least five per passenger. I bet full union also. Can you imagine the repetitive stress related injuries on those wands and stray X-rays from the machines? I bet that is a great job. “Now put your shoes on, your feet stink!” The line was just as long as the ticket counter. Only one X-ray was working yesterday. I bet those things cost a bundle. “I need all courtesy clerks to the open X-ray register 1, please!” If I can’t bring my bottle of water inside security, I can’t have TWO bags, I can’t fit all my shampoo and clothes into one bag, it could be cheaper to use FedEx? Can I fly FedEx? I bet they have seats that are bigger and more comfortable than a stadium seat?
If I was a gold, platinum, premium, gold carpet member without small children passengers, maybe I could afford the 500$ trip to So. Cal. in comfort aboard the super-express liner? But then again, the super-express liner for the super gold, platinum, red carpet passenger is still delayed for the trip also. If I am three hours late, the super platinum premium passenger still has to wait for the wheelchair person and the passengers carrying small children while we wait for our flight. I wonder if they get one of those restaurant flashers when it is time to board? Maybe I can make a plane reservation next time I fly? “Call and flash me when it is time to come to the airport.” “Sir, you plane is ready, we can seat you now.” Maybe I should be happy that they didn’t cancel the flight? Wait, they did this last time I flew! Lara had her flight cancelled last time she flew! Dad thought that all the OAK flights were delayed because the pilots and air traffic people were watching the Superbowl so they couldn’t get the planes flying or going. “Touchdown! You are clear to taxi on runway 911 east.” I may start running to my next destination, it may be faster... As for my luggage, I can put it in the overhead compartment on my back. I can't check it anyway...
********** United Article--from Yahoo News **********
United Adds $25 Fee for 2nd BagMonday February 4, 4:39 pm ET
United to Charge Non-Frequent Fliers $25 to Check 2nd Suitcase
CHICAGO (AP) -- United Airlines will begin charging passengers $25 to check in a second piece of luggage for domestic travel if they are not part of its most-frequent-flier programs, the airline said Monday.
The charge will generate more than $100 million in revenue and cost savings each year, UAL Corp. said. The change takes effect May 5 and applies to tickets purchased on or after Monday.
Travelers would have to log at least 25,000 miles in a year on United to ensure they can check their second bag for free.
Airlines want to charge more for not only checked baggage but assigned seats and other services. Investors have urged airlines to pass on the higher costs of fuel to passengers through ticket-price increases or similar surcharges.
United's customer research showed a quarter of its customers check a second bag, Chief Revenue Officer John Tague said in a statement. The new policy will allow customers with many bags to continue bringing them for a fee and "enables us to offer competitive fares to everyone," Tague said.
Customers who have "Premier" status or higher within United's Mileage Plus program, or "Silver" status or higher within its Star Alliance program still will be able to check in a second bag for free. The new charge applies to those who purchase nonrefundable domestic economy tickets.
United will charge all customers $100 per bag for up to four additional bags. Previous charges ranged from $85 to $125 per bag. The cost to check items that require special handling because they are large, overweight or fragile will now be either $100 or $200, depending on the item.
New fees apply to trips within the U.S. and or those that include Canada, San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. Customers whose itineraries include other international flights still will be able to check the second bag for free. The cost to check more than two bags, or items that are overweight or require special handling, on such trips will vary by destination. UAL shares fell $2.56, or 6.2 percent, to $38.58 Monday.
So if I have ONE bag that weighs 100 lbs, will that comply with United’s new rules? I wonder if they will start charging me to use the on-flight porta-potty also? Will soda and peanuts be phased out also and or will a small 5$ charge be applied to passengers who take the peanut option? Wait, they have replaced peanuts with pretzels, my apology... peanut allergies! Hold your horses, pretzels have too much salt. No more pretzels. “Soda 5$, Beer 10$, please have exact change.” Maybe comfortable seats will be phased out as well, as wooden-bench seats have become vogue and more economical? They can take the armrest out and put more people in the air bus? Maybe for a small upgrade they can install aluminum seats for business travelers? Hmmm I wonder if my electronic gadgets will conflict with the aluminum? I can’t use my MP3, DVD, CD, Cell, anything that has a wireless connection, and or anything that transmits electronic signals inside the plane anyway. Maybe they might start assessing a fee when my seat back is not in the upright position? Oh I forgot, the benches don’t have seat backs. Maybe they will start charging me when the plane is late because I wasn't responsible enough to check the courtesy e-mail the previous day or I didn't check in early enough?
If you have to check your ONE bag at the airline, does it really save them to use these new fangled computer check-in systems? I still have to get my boarding pass, my stickers for my ONE bag, and they have to check my identification. I still have to wait in a long line to put my bag on the turnstile, don’t I? Last time I used the outside check in on the way to Ireland, I didn’t see my bag for a week. What is a weary traveler to do?
Now the Security Nazis, another line? Maybe if I don’t take off my shoes at the security checkpoint, I can get a free soda while I wait in the long and stinky line with bare feet people? Wait, liquids are not allowed. Maybe I don’t want to open my laptop! How many of those trays do some people have to use anyway? I guess if you are only allowed ONE bag to check in, and ONE bag as a carry-on, we may have to start stuffing things in our undergarments to get them onto the plane with us. If I don’t want the airline to lose my bag, and I need a toothbrush, shampoo, and deodorant, just as long as they are secure inside a micro-ziplock baggy. How do I get all my things I need to my destination? Now do I bring my ID though the metal detector and my boarding pass, or just my boarding pass? My wallet is in the X-ray, I apologize. Belt on or off? Jewelry on or off? Wait at the red line for the TSA guy to stop chatting with the guy behind the big X-ray TV? “Come on, I want to wait at my gate for my plane that is going to be three hours late.” Can I leave and come back? Repeat process. Let's get this thing moving! How many TSA guys do they really need anyway? OAK had at least five per passenger. I bet full union also. Can you imagine the repetitive stress related injuries on those wands and stray X-rays from the machines? I bet that is a great job. “Now put your shoes on, your feet stink!” The line was just as long as the ticket counter. Only one X-ray was working yesterday. I bet those things cost a bundle. “I need all courtesy clerks to the open X-ray register 1, please!” If I can’t bring my bottle of water inside security, I can’t have TWO bags, I can’t fit all my shampoo and clothes into one bag, it could be cheaper to use FedEx? Can I fly FedEx? I bet they have seats that are bigger and more comfortable than a stadium seat?
If I was a gold, platinum, premium, gold carpet member without small children passengers, maybe I could afford the 500$ trip to So. Cal. in comfort aboard the super-express liner? But then again, the super-express liner for the super gold, platinum, red carpet passenger is still delayed for the trip also. If I am three hours late, the super platinum premium passenger still has to wait for the wheelchair person and the passengers carrying small children while we wait for our flight. I wonder if they get one of those restaurant flashers when it is time to board? Maybe I can make a plane reservation next time I fly? “Call and flash me when it is time to come to the airport.” “Sir, you plane is ready, we can seat you now.” Maybe I should be happy that they didn’t cancel the flight? Wait, they did this last time I flew! Lara had her flight cancelled last time she flew! Dad thought that all the OAK flights were delayed because the pilots and air traffic people were watching the Superbowl so they couldn’t get the planes flying or going. “Touchdown! You are clear to taxi on runway 911 east.” I may start running to my next destination, it may be faster... As for my luggage, I can put it in the overhead compartment on my back. I can't check it anyway...
********** United Article--from Yahoo News **********
United Adds $25 Fee for 2nd BagMonday February 4, 4:39 pm ET
United to Charge Non-Frequent Fliers $25 to Check 2nd Suitcase
CHICAGO (AP) -- United Airlines will begin charging passengers $25 to check in a second piece of luggage for domestic travel if they are not part of its most-frequent-flier programs, the airline said Monday.
The charge will generate more than $100 million in revenue and cost savings each year, UAL Corp. said. The change takes effect May 5 and applies to tickets purchased on or after Monday.
Travelers would have to log at least 25,000 miles in a year on United to ensure they can check their second bag for free.
Airlines want to charge more for not only checked baggage but assigned seats and other services. Investors have urged airlines to pass on the higher costs of fuel to passengers through ticket-price increases or similar surcharges.
United's customer research showed a quarter of its customers check a second bag, Chief Revenue Officer John Tague said in a statement. The new policy will allow customers with many bags to continue bringing them for a fee and "enables us to offer competitive fares to everyone," Tague said.
Customers who have "Premier" status or higher within United's Mileage Plus program, or "Silver" status or higher within its Star Alliance program still will be able to check in a second bag for free. The new charge applies to those who purchase nonrefundable domestic economy tickets.
United will charge all customers $100 per bag for up to four additional bags. Previous charges ranged from $85 to $125 per bag. The cost to check items that require special handling because they are large, overweight or fragile will now be either $100 or $200, depending on the item.
New fees apply to trips within the U.S. and or those that include Canada, San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. Customers whose itineraries include other international flights still will be able to check the second bag for free. The cost to check more than two bags, or items that are overweight or require special handling, on such trips will vary by destination. UAL shares fell $2.56, or 6.2 percent, to $38.58 Monday.
Labels: adventures
Posted by Sean
3:16 PM
1 Comments:
It was positively agonizing on my United Hong Kong to Chicago flight in December to watch their advertisement video about all investment they are making to expand their services to first and business class to compete with the big Asian luxury airlines. I mean, here we were crammed in United Economy with several hundred other people, and they are showing us an ad about how much better the more expensive classes are going to be?
We took Cathay back to Hong Kong in January.
By
Jen Ambrose, at 6:45 PM
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