[Grovenet] It will be interesting .. . . . .

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

I'm surprised things haven't gotten tougher already. Keep in mind just how
C-H-E-A-P an "economy ticket is these days! No decent service. No leg room.
Not much of anything but the silver tin-can will (most often) get you there
at a bargain basement price. 
 
Recently I wondered about switching to "business class" for a European trip
so I could at least stretch out a bit. Checking prices I found that, instead
of about $550 one way from PDX to Europe (Amsterdam), to upgrade just to
"business class" the ticket would cost over $5,100 each way - darn near a
10-fold price increase!  Of course, First Class is more. 
 
A quick check showed that I could float across the Atlantic crossing in
luxury aboard a Cunard Queen - QE2, Queen Victoria, etc - for considerably
less! 
 
 It left me looking at the economy tickets saying to myself, "this can't
last". 
 
In the meantime, economy on a flying tin can is now equivalent to "steerage"
class for dirt-poor immigrants was aboard ships, only the immigrants were
treated better <G>  But, like the old steerage class (which meant you slept
- or tried to - next the very noisy steering gear and propellers in  lower
decks at the stern of the ship),  it's what the folks will buy and as long
as folks will buy it the lines will offer it for as much as they can
squeeze. 
 
As an airline captain said to me in the lounge several years ago, after we
had waited there for over six hours for a delayed flight, "Welcome to
de-regulation." 
 
Ron D'Eau Claire 
 
 
 
 -----Original Message-----
From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
Behalf Of Bob Browning
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 2:05 PM
To: Grovenet
Subject: [Grovenet] It will be interesting .. . . . .



It will be interesting to see how long this program lasts, especially if
other companies see that emulating it  will work as a competitive
disadvantage . . .



AP
United Adds $25 Fee for 2nd Bag
Monday 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.


bob "here we go again with war created inflation" browning