Rant on "Passenger rights"
07-16-2007, 05:50 PM
#1
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Joined APC: Jun 2007
Posts: 348
Rant on "Passenger rights"
It seems to me that while the actual behavior of the airlines has not changed all that much in the last 15 years since I've been flying (by this I mean as a passenger), the behavior of the passengers has changed drastically in the last few years. I'm curious to know, just from a sociological perspective, what has caused this change in expectations and tolerance in the flying public?
In the beginning of the airlines, it was only an option for the relatively wealthy, and therefore the expectation was that service and passenger comfort would be a very high priority (arguably above safety.) As air travel became more of a commodity, the service became less and less important, and cost moved up in the list. With each accident/incident, safety becomes more and more of a priority, and this is not just for the obvious ethical reason, but we all depend on the flying public's faith in our safety records for financial reasons... if they're scared to fly, they don't buy tickets.
So, while the collective effort of everybody involved in air travel has continuously made the safest mode of transportation even safer, it seems that now that is not enough to please joe passenger. It's a case of complacency on the passenger's part. They have forgotten the value in what they have purchased. When you can go 1500 miles in a matter of just a few hours for less than the cost of an iPhone, what more should you really expect?
A month ago I drove from Houston to Jamestown, NY, a 1500 mile trip. With all the related costs, I spent probably $250. I'm willing to bet I could have found a one-way ticket for a comparable rate, and it would have been faster, safer, and FAR more comfortable. I didn't expect the gas station cashiers to serve me hot meals for free, and I didn't blame GM when I was stuck in a traffic jam. So why, when the airline passenger is waiting in the EWR conga line do they blame the carrier? Why are they complaining about no service - it was their demand for lower fares that played a major role in reducing the service in the first place?
Perhaps part of the problem is that now, if you wanted to buy a first class ticket from A to B, chances are you would have to fly at least one segment of that trip on a regional jet that doesn't offer first class. It's not just the short feeder-routes that are flown by the 30-70 seat airliners, many of the longer routes are now on the smaller equipment. I can see how this might frustrate the passenger who wants - and is willing to pay for - a first-class seat. Look at IAH - PIT for an example of what I'm talking about. It's a flight over 2 hours, from one major airport to another, and the majority of the flights Continental offers are on 50 seat jets.
Anyway, at this point, I forgot what I was really trying to say. Just food for thought, I guess.
In the beginning of the airlines, it was only an option for the relatively wealthy, and therefore the expectation was that service and passenger comfort would be a very high priority (arguably above safety.) As air travel became more of a commodity, the service became less and less important, and cost moved up in the list. With each accident/incident, safety becomes more and more of a priority, and this is not just for the obvious ethical reason, but we all depend on the flying public's faith in our safety records for financial reasons... if they're scared to fly, they don't buy tickets.
So, while the collective effort of everybody involved in air travel has continuously made the safest mode of transportation even safer, it seems that now that is not enough to please joe passenger. It's a case of complacency on the passenger's part. They have forgotten the value in what they have purchased. When you can go 1500 miles in a matter of just a few hours for less than the cost of an iPhone, what more should you really expect?
A month ago I drove from Houston to Jamestown, NY, a 1500 mile trip. With all the related costs, I spent probably $250. I'm willing to bet I could have found a one-way ticket for a comparable rate, and it would have been faster, safer, and FAR more comfortable. I didn't expect the gas station cashiers to serve me hot meals for free, and I didn't blame GM when I was stuck in a traffic jam. So why, when the airline passenger is waiting in the EWR conga line do they blame the carrier? Why are they complaining about no service - it was their demand for lower fares that played a major role in reducing the service in the first place?
Perhaps part of the problem is that now, if you wanted to buy a first class ticket from A to B, chances are you would have to fly at least one segment of that trip on a regional jet that doesn't offer first class. It's not just the short feeder-routes that are flown by the 30-70 seat airliners, many of the longer routes are now on the smaller equipment. I can see how this might frustrate the passenger who wants - and is willing to pay for - a first-class seat. Look at IAH - PIT for an example of what I'm talking about. It's a flight over 2 hours, from one major airport to another, and the majority of the flights Continental offers are on 50 seat jets.
Anyway, at this point, I forgot what I was really trying to say. Just food for thought, I guess.
