Today when people pay to fly, they're not through paying. Airlines are continually coming up with new fees to keep themselves flying. American, Northwest, United and U.S. Air are charging $15 for checked baggage. Although Jet Blue isn't charging for checked baggage yet, it charges $7 for pillows and blankets. Yes, you can keep them - and that saves Jet Blue the cost of cleaning them. The way U.S. Airways is trying to clean up is by charging $2 for soft drinks and it's just a matter of time before Midwest Airlines stops baking free cookies in flight. Because of the high cost of fuel, that's how the cookie crumbles.
Many complaints airline passengers have are directly linked to the high cost of fuel. The heavier the airplane, the more fuel it needs to fly. Some airlines are lightening loads by imposing new baggage restrictions. Others have stopped carrying non-essentials like bottled water. Continental is one airline that's reducing weight by carrying less fuel. In fact, Continental recently sent a memo to its pilots stating that adding fuel without critical thinking ultimately reduces profit sharing and possibly pension funding. It seems weight-conscious management resorted to light-weight threats.
It also seems technology is changing. The European Union is moving toward allowing cell phone use in flight. Not the U.S. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee proposed a permanent ban on cell phone use in flight. Some lawmakers are concerned about in-air fights because of loud or obnoxious phone use. Others are concerned airlines will charge extra for seats in non-phone sections. How do U.S. passengers feel? A Department of Transportation survey found that 50% oppose cell phone use, 40% approve and 10% are undecided - or in a dead spot.
Then there's frequent flyer programs. They were started by American Airlines in 1981 and my husband has been addicted to accumulating frequent flyer miles ever since. He pays for everything with his American Airlines Master Card. If a store has a $5 or $10 limit for credit card use, he drives to another store. Because of the high cost of gas, I questioned his doing this; and he told me to think of gas as more frequent flyer miles. Considering we're about to fly first class to and from London for free, I'm reluctant to question him again. He might give me his credit card to pay for my two cents' worth.
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