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No more free water on US Air

Old 08-01-2008, 10:14 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by IPAMD11FO View Post
The Middle Seat Terminal : Starting Today, No More Free Water on US Air

Starting Today, No More Free Water on US Air

Posted By Nikki Waller On August 1, 2008

Journal reporter Stephanie Chen on changes coming to US Air’s domestic flights today.

Charging for checked luggage and legroom isn’t enough for some carriers — starting today, coach passengers flying aboard US Airways Inc. must pay for a drink of water.

This morning, US Airways began charging fliers $2 for bottled water and sodas and $1 for teas and coffees. First class members, trans-Atlantic passengers and a select group of others are exempt from the extra fees.

“This is another clever way to masquerade airfare increases without increasing airfares,” says Randy Petersen, editor of Inside Flyer Magazine. “Everything has been passed along to the consumer.”

The Tempe, Ariz.-based airline is among many other carriers scrambling to cut costs and boost revenues amid skyrocketing fuel prices. For now, other major airlines including AMR Corp.’s American Airlines, Delta Air Lines Inc., and Northwest Airlines Corp. say they won’t resort to the a la carte beverage system yet but will continue researching all possible ways to save money. Discount carriers AirTran Holdings Inc., JetBlue Airways Corp. and Southwest Airlines Co say they will also continue serving complimentary beverages.

Continental Airlines Inc. — one of the few airlines left that serves free meals on certain domestic flights — says it is unlikely to abandon its free beverage service. Continental says charging for a soda would detract from passenger comfort. “That’s always been our philosophy, and it’s one that works well with us,” says spokeswoman Julie King.

Several other low-cost carriers like Spirit Airlines Inc and Allegiant Air, LLC began charging for beverages a few years ago. These low-budget airlines say their business model offers “unbundled” deals, which strip away extra costs and charge only for the flight. Spirit and Allegiant officials say customers like this plan, which allows flyers to add on extra drinks and snacks only if they desire.

US Airways says it will provide water and drinks for passengers in cases of medical emergency and during extensive delays. If a desperately thirsty passenger does forget a few extra dollars, US Airways spokesman Morgan Durrant says flight attendants will likely “err on the side of the customer” and give him or her water. After all, the airline wouldn’t want its customers drinking tap water from the aircraft bathroom. That water is safe to drink, just not very palatable, according to Durrant.

“Frankly, that’s just not classy,” he says.
Forgive me while I clean up the water that I just spit out on my computer screen! That just might be the funniest thing I've read in weeks right there.
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Old 08-01-2008, 10:45 AM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by BlueSkiesAhead View Post
Forgive me while I clean up the water that I just spit out on my computer screen! That just might be the funniest thing I've read in weeks right there.
I was thinking the same thing!!!! How dare we pass our expenses off to the consumer!!!
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Old 08-01-2008, 10:49 AM
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Maybe USAir and the TSA are in on this together! TSA needs to drop the liquid on plane ban BS.

Save an empty bottled water bottle and refill it after clearing the security checkpoint. It's got a label on it so you bought it in a store.
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Old 08-01-2008, 11:24 AM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by Sir James View Post
Kudos to Parker and the crew, I'm sure this will be well received by your passengers that keep you in business, and will make a noticeable difference to your bottom line
And meanwhile the passengers take it out on the girls (and guys) in back, rather than on those responsible (themselves, management, and so forth...take your pick as there's plenty of blame to apportion at US).

How dare we pass our expenses off to the consumer!!!
The water is on the airplane anyway and there's simply nothing more miserable than being thirsty in the flight levels. It might also be a little dangerous...therefore, the obvious course of action, if the airline cannot make ends meet is to raise fares rather than nickel-and-diming the passengers.
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Old 08-01-2008, 11:31 AM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by JetMonkey View Post
Man I wish you'd paid the same for fuel as everyone else.
Maybe you should wish for better management then. Lets start the very tired...wait until those hedges run out arguement. Why wouldnt you want SWA in CLT?
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Old 08-01-2008, 11:31 AM
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Does the crew have to pay for their drinks while flying too?
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Old 08-01-2008, 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by mulcher View Post
Maybe you should wish for better management then. Lets start the very tired...wait until those hedges run out arguement. Why wouldnt you want SWA in CLT?

Would you guys consider CVG?
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Old 08-01-2008, 12:02 PM
  #18  
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I believe the time has come for drastic measures to be taken:

The Beerbelly: Home

I wonder if you could get that past TSA?

(Disclaimer: I do not, nor have I ever worked for or been associated with the Beer Belly)
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Old 08-01-2008, 12:11 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by iPilot View Post
Does the crew have to pay for their drinks while flying too?
Found out Wednesday that according to Republic (USAir Express) working, and dhing crews wont have to pay for drinks....but commuters will....well so the company thinks

I would not give USAir any ideas about paying for the lav, I could see it now, coin operated lav service. $0.50 to enter, $0.50 for air freshener spray, $0.50 to do number 1, $1.50 for number 2, $2.25 for poo poo paper, $1.50 to wash your hands, and $3.50 for paper towels to dry your hands($2.25 for rolling cloth hand dryer)
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Old 08-01-2008, 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by powrful1 View Post

I would not give USAir any ideas about paying for the lav, I could see it now, coin operated lav service. $0.50 to enter, $0.50 for air freshener spray, $0.50 to do number 1, $1.50 for number 2, $2.25 for poo poo paper, $1.50 to wash your hands, and $3.50 for paper towels to dry your hands($2.25 for rolling cloth hand dryer)
EXACT CHANGE REQUIRED ! ! !
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