Are Airlines Going Too Far?

[DainBramaged]

We all know that the airline industry is in survival mode. Air carriers are struggling to stay afloat in the face of daunting fuel costs and plunging travel demand. In the last year, for example, domestic carriers alone lost $11 billion.

In response, airlines are piling on the surcharges, pulling the "free" perks, and packing in extra seats. Believe it or not, the airline industry even has a specific conference dedicated to "ancillary fees"—and how to collect them without inciting consumer revolt. (It seems that they have pulling pennies from consumers down to a science—in 2008 airlines extracted $10.25 billion in these surcharges worldwide, an increase of 346% over 2006).

Are they going too far? Below we highlight some of the ways that air carriers are pushing their luck with consumers, but we want to hear from you. Are you less likely to fly as airlines become more and more aggressive in their quest for efficiency? Write and tell us what you think: [e-mail]


Booking Fees
The gouging begins with booking. If you don't purchase tickets online via the airline website, you're instantly assessed a $5-$25 surcharge (the only exception is Southwest Airlines). Allegiant even forces you to buy your ticket at the airport. Want to change your itinerary? You'll be asked to cough up as much $150 on American, Continental, United and US Airways, plus any difference in fares between your new and old dates. Cheap, nonrefundable fare classes can't be altered at all, while discount tickets purchased through third-party travel sites or agents carry even greater penalties. Flying confirmed standby on the same day of travel used to be a complimentary courtesy. Now most airlines charge to take an earlier or later flight on the same day as your original flight if you want a confirmed seat (you can still take your chances without a confirmation for free).

http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/articles/are-airlines-going-too-far?ncid=AOLCOMMtravdynlprim0721

[ixion]

1. Between the airlines and TSA, it's a freakin' nightmare

our airport system is a disgrace.

[Daphne08]

3. I just don't fly anymore.

It's become such a nightmare.

[ixion]

4. me, either

unless it is absolutely unavoidable. It is really horrible.

[unabelladonna]

21. i used to do alot of vacation air travel...

i haven't been on a flight since i moved here in february and that trip was a nightmare. the rudenness of fellow passengers, flight attendants and just everything aboiut it has turned me off permanently to plane travel.

[liberalhistorian]

18. The past five holidays since I moved several states away

from my home base and my family and friends, I flew back for the holidays. Last year hubby and I drove the 1,300 miles and actually enjoyed it (we'd been married just a year and it was almost like a second honeymoon). This year I'm driving back also, I don't want to fly anymore, I don't care if I'll be driving 2,600 miles round trip alone (hubby started new job so can't come this time). I just do NOT want to fly, and I'm not gonna give the gouging, customer-hating airlines another dime except in cases of absolute emergency when I would have no choice.

[unabelladonna]

22. travel safely..

and don't drive alone at night (i tell my daughter the same thing).

[devilgrrl]

5. Deregulation is so awesome!!!

I swear the airlines problems began back the Reagan 80's

Disgrace indeed!

[Taverner]

2. Yes they are - and there's not a damn thing we can do about it

Expect safety to be the next thing to go out the window

[FarCenter]

6. They've lost the full-fare business passengers -- all they've got are cheap tourists

They've lost the full-fare business passengers to the economic downturn and to collaboration technologies like "Go To Meeting".

They've got to make it up somehow. And they are filling the reduced number of seats, so why not raise prices?

Besides, airplanes are awful greenhouse gas emitters. They should be strictly limited to maybe 20% of the seat miles that they are currently flying.

[alstephenson]

7. Taking lessons from the credit card companies, I see.

[monmouth]

8. If you're not traveling for business, the train (Amtrak) is wonderful...n/t

[ginnyinWI]

10. too slow if you travel cross country

I went from Chicago to Los Angeles in 1988 and it was a nightmare. Try sleeping in your seat for two nights. The whole trip took two nights and two days, and the stewards were like prison guards. We tried to get a refund for the return trip but would have forfeited most of it, so we went back the same way. Even worse--the train was very late getting in. I doubt conditions are any better today.

A day trip is fine--I had a great trip from Milwaukee to Detroit in 2008. It was one way and only cost $40. Just don't try an overnight unless you can afford a room--the alternative is pretty miserable.

[monmouth]

11. My son traveled south from DC to Florida (the auto train). He's

kind of a fuss nut, and he raved. Not only about the trip but the service and the food. I think Amtrak has upgraded quite a bit in the last few years. Of course, like I say, for business travel not a good thing.

[liberalhistorian]

19. Yes, but they don't go everywhere. There's no Amtrak

available in many areas of the west, including where I live. I wish there were 'cause I'd take it then, but it isn't.

[DFW]

9. They want to advertise "low" fares

Then they make up the difference by killing you with fees. Next thing you know, they will hit you with an oxygen surcharge
if you want to breathe while on board (first class passengers get free air). $10 to use the toilet, etc etc.

I HATE flying domestic when I'm back home. Here in Europe, it's nowhere near that crazy, although if they tell you they
have a promotional fare for €19, expect to pay five times that in fees (still reasonable, though).

I'll be in the States in a couple of weeks, and things are so nuts that I got a fare on American from New York to Dallas to
Washington for $275. After all the baggage fees, it'll end up being closer to $400, which is what it should have been in
the first place, with no baggage fees (and no expenses to the air line for having to collect them.

On the other hand, I have to fly from Charleston, SC to New York, and that cost me more than the NYC-DFW-IAD route, and I'll
STILL get hit for the excessive baggage fees.

I can't wait to head out to Air France for the journey back over here from Washington. Some air lines haven't learned the art
of making passengers feel like shit (and eat it as well) as a standard operating procedure instead of an unfortunate exception.

[demigoddess]

13. I hate to tell you this but they have been cutting back on the oxygen for years.

And they have been cutting back on the free perks for ages too. I was appalled at the lack of space and amenities when I flew 10 years ago. I would not set foot on a plane today. In my last flight, a woman who went onto the plane in a wheelchair spent the whole 3 hours or so of the flight standing and holding on to a seat back. Apparently it was more comfortable than sitting.

[FunkyLeprechaun]

12. My parents sometimes buy us the tickets to America

We can't afford the fare sometimes and they have flyer miles. This is why I only visit once a year or so.

Since Northwest (their main airline) was acquired by Delta, they are having trouble offloading the miles. Not to mention Delta uses American Express, which practically no one uses (I've seen very few places use AE).

I recently went to America by myself and they asked me to use their card to purchase the tickets (which we normally do). Well, I nearly purchased them until I saw the disclaimer "the name on the credit card has to match the ticket you're flying on". I can see why but for my parents, it's another matter. They are so annoyed they cannot offload their miles.

Not only that Delta never flies to RST so I tried using their miles on the NWA website and it wouldn't accept their miles, despite NWA being part of Delta. I ended up going to MSP on the regular fare because it was cheaper for us.

They gave me money through my US account for the plane fare... the plane ride was as usual but the ticket purchasing was a bit of a nightmare for me. It was a very complicated process.

If they really want to drum up more business they should treat the passengers with respect. I can't avoid flying because I get homesick for my parents in America so I love visiting, even if it's only once a year.

[liberalhistorian]

20. Airlines treat the passengers with respect?

ROFLMAO. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Dayyum, that is FUNNY. Those days are long gone, I'm afraid, and they ain't coming back.

[FunkyLeprechaun]

24. I know

If they want more business it's a better business model to follow but they are like the health insurance companies... greedy bloodsuckers.

[taterguy]

14. Damn straight. Any destination I can't get to in my Chevy isn't worth going to

And when the hell are they gonna finish the tunnel from LA to Maui?

[DFW]

17. Right around the time they finish that tunnel from London to Boston. n/t

[damntexdem]

15. I fly Southwest whenever I can.

And I fly as little as I can.

[rucky]

16. They're just screwing themselves. n/t

[paulsby]

23. i prefer the surcharges

because in general, i structure my traveling, so they don't affect me.

so, i do not pay more for tickets (like in the old days when they didn't seperate out the charges) because i am subsidizing others.

the airlines have to make a profit. doing some things cost more than others. heavy bags increase fuel costs. they can amortize that cost across ALL tickets, or only charge those who have heavy bags. i prefer the latter approach.

unless, i am going on a relatively long trip, i only use carry on. this requires less labor for the airline. so, i do pay less than those with carryons, good for me. those who want extra services, pay more.

i can prepare my own (superior) meal to carry on the plane, so the fact that the airlines are now charging for meals is preferable to where they were free. cause if i didn't eat one (cause they usually suck), i am subsidizing others.

i used to travel a lot of trips with a surfboard and had to pay a surcharge. i SHOULD have to pay a surcharge because they require special handling and space.

otoh, i specifically tried to choose airlines that charged less or nothing for surfboards. in cases, where they didn't charge, OTHERs were subsidizing ME.

the ultimate test of whether airlines are making a mistake is whether less people fly due to these charges.

airplane travel is REMARKABLY cheap when you think about it. you can stuff yourself into a metal tube and 8 hrs later, you are on the other side of the country. i've gotten round trip cross country tickets recently for $300. that, to me, is incredibly cheap considering the service they are providing - an EXTREMELY safe, fast form of travel.