Airlines may start treating passengers like freight.

[trekgeezer]

It seems like they do that already, but they're talking about charging by the pound.


http://bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aJmRIapedEs0&refer=home

[asimpson2006]

Not surprising at all.  Now with fuel prices at an all time high no thanks to the "oil-man president" and congress refusing to drill for more oil it's no surprise that things are going up across the board.

There may be a positive aspect to this.  If someone who is overweight and they fly a lot this may make the person consider losing weight and may help them live a longer healthier life.   

[AndyC]

I'd read that American Airlines was not just charging $15 for one bag, but rather $15 for the first bag and something like $25 for each bag after that. Smart policy, really. An incentive to bring less baggage means less weight, fewer bags to process, load and unload, and a simpler vacation for passengers who tend to overpack.

[Patient7]

I need to drop a couple of pounds. 

[CheezeFlixz]

I use to fly about 5 times a week, I only fly a few times a year now. They've always treated you like freight. Even flying all the time and being a member of all the gold, ambassador, platinum type club (that the company paid for) they didn't care, you still got herded around like cattle.
Anymore I drive or take a train.   

[Trevor]

 

They've already started this here: on my last business trip, I asked for an aisle seat if possible (I was at the airport three hours before boarding) and I got the following:

1. An aisle seat
2. A window seat
3. Seat 13A
4. Right next to the toilet at the back of the plane. 

[Dave M]

I've always said they should just drug us, seal us in those big heavy cardbord tube things, and airmail us. It's ridiculous for them to try to run a frigging hotel resteraunt up there.

[Killer Bees]

I really hate flying these days.  I'm an average sized woman.  There's nothing fat about me, but even I have trouble fitting into the seats.  I'm also 5' 7" so I find the lack of leg room atrocious. 

The whole system has changed even in just the last 8 years.  In 2000 when I went to Canada for holiday, the airline had a bit of room in their seats and the flight was resonably comfortable.  About a year ago, I went to Melbourne for training and I felt wedged in like I was a sardine.

Bloody economy class! 

[asimpson2006]

I really hate flying these days.  I'm an average sized woman.  There's nothing fat about me, but even I have trouble fitting into the seats.  I'm also 5' 7" so I find the lack of leg room atrocious. 

The whole system has changed even in just the last 8 years.  In 2000 when I went to Canada for holiday, the airline had a bit of room in their seats and the flight was resonably comfortable.  About a year ago, I went to Melbourne for training and I felt wedged in like I was a sardine.

Bloody economy class! 

It's been a long while since I last was in a airplane which was about 6 years ago this month.  I went to Japan in coach which wasn't that bad going to there since I had the seat by the aisle which was nice.  Coming back home not as nice I had to sit between two strangers in the middle of the row, not fun.
 

[SynapticBoomstick]

Why has nobody looked into a better, cheaper way to fuel airplanes? I see it all over with cars but not with trains, planes or boats. Why? You're not supposed to wait until there's nothing left to fuel it first. Foolish This idea is really dumb, better, quicker action needs to be taken.

[Patient7]

This is prejudice against tall people, men (who are statistically heavier), and fatties.

[AndyC]

Why has nobody looked into a better, cheaper way to fuel airplanes? I see it all over with cars but not with trains, planes or boats. Why? You're not supposed to wait until there's nothing left to fuel it first. Foolish This idea is really dumb, better, quicker action needs to be taken.

Well, actually, jet engines are continuously improving. And small boats benefit from many of the same advances in cars. Ships and trains have the problem of needing a lot of power, which generally means diesel, but their engines have also improved. And ships have the distinction of being the only nuclear-powered vehicles to enter service, although only for military purposes. The work is going on, but we don't hear as much about it, because the builders of commercial jets, ships and locomotives aren't marketing them to us. Improvements to cars are trumpeted at us because we buy cars.

[SynapticBoomstick]

Why has nobody looked into a better, cheaper way to fuel airplanes? I see it all over with cars but not with trains, planes or boats. Why? You're not supposed to wait until there's nothing left to fuel it first. Foolish This idea is really dumb, better, quicker action needs to be taken.

Well, actually, jet engines are continuously improving. And small boats benefit from many of the same advances in cars. Ships and trains have the problem of needing a lot of power, which generally means diesel, but their engines have also improved. And ships have the distinction of being the only nuclear-powered vehicles to enter service, although only for military purposes. The work is going on, but we don't hear as much about it, because the builders of commercial jets, ships and locomotives aren't marketing them to us. Improvements to cars are trumpeted at us because we buy cars.

Now we know :-D