Dear US Airways,
I am horrified by your new beverage policy. Charge for cokes if you must, but NOT water. In-flight embolisms kill more people than plane crashes, as you well know. Encouraging folks to dehydrate is flat-out dangerous. I will not be flying US Airways again until this policy changes, nor will I, as a travel writer, endorse your services.
I am not alone in my sentiments. Comments overheard: "$40 for bags each way and $2 for a fifty-cent can of pop? I'm flying another carrier from here out"; "a $9 rum and coke should come with a view of the Manhattan skyline" and my favorite: "I'm gonna hide this pillow before someone charges me for it."
Just raise the darn prices instead of holding our health – and tempers – hostage already.
Sincerely,
Amanda Castleman
Freelance journalist
yep...do an all inclusive price OR be decent and do it the ryanair.com way. £1 per ticket plus extras...in which case a $40 surcharge comes with the territory.
ReplyDeleteI smell a business idea, though...
"Readily packed suitcases at your destination. Pre-order your packed case and goodies online and pick up next to taxi stand at destination airport. $30 per week hire. Just click on your size and grooming requirements"
www.middlefingertoamericanairways.com
You must have read by now that JetBlue has started charging $7 for a pillow and blanket, yes? Gotta admit, their rationale seems sound and it's much more sensible than charging for water or encouraging everyone to bring the kitchen sink as carry-on.
ReplyDeleteSascha: it's all rather puzzling. How are the no-frills booming while the multinationals whine into nickel-and-dime oblivion?
ReplyDeleteWell, running older planes twice as hard, one could argue. But I believe their safety records are better thus far...
PS: Petalina, I like your idea. As long as we all wear Mao suits and disposal paper underpants, it'll be a hit!
ReplyDeleteMarie: I hadn't heard about Jet Blue – thanks. I'm much happier with that policy (as a coat and inflatable pillow carrier) than depriving people of potable water.
ReplyDeleteJust wait until the first broke college student contracts a mystery disease from drinking from the tap...
Amanda...not Mao suit. We'll do it the posh girl way: You can choose pre-chosen packs such as
ReplyDelete1. One week's supply of the Ralph Lauren Girl (2008-2009 season) $200
2. On week's supply of the Ralph Lauren Girl (2006-2007) $30
3. one week's supply of GAP (2005-2006) $9
4. One week's supply of hiking gear etc, etc
5. One week's worth of consignment store mixed pickles. Free plus a $30 cheque for disposing of it afterwards.
You know...add Dr Hauschka washbag sample sizes and it'll set you back
another $20
BUT, BUT, BUT...it's the middle finger to the airline, plus the hilarity of doing the Pacific Trail in high heels and a pencil skirt becuase you accidentally ticked the wrong box.
Each package MUST contain Thongalongs (pheromonally
ReplyDeleteenhanced paper g-strings: "unlike her... they don't have to come home!"), however.
Then I can finally deploy my footage of a gay Norwegian tourism official trying to rip a pair with his teeth (in the pub, mind – and not a pair ON anyone: good clean fun this. With pheromones!)