Title: Coffee, Tea Still Available, But That's About All on US Air
Body: It seems passengers aren't the only things missing from planes these days.

As the nation's airlines continue to

hemorrhage money in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks and subsequent drop-off in air travel, officials aren't leaving any pillow unturned as they scramble to cut costs.

In fact, US Airways - the largest carrier at Wilmington International Airport - is leaving its pillows and blankets earthbound when its planes hit the air on all but redeye and international flights.

Other onboard amenities scrapped include movies and meals, again except for a smattering of long-haul flights.

John McCorkle, a US Airways flight attendant since 1989, said drinks and snacks are still offered on all but the shortest flights.

"But as far a hot meal on a flight to Denver, forget it," he said.

US Airways also plans to scrap its audio programming on all but its largest jets starting Jan. 1.

The moves could be enough to drive tired and hungry passengers to read.

But US Airways has pulled all of the complementary newspapers and magazines off its flights except its in-house magazine.

A survey of a handful of passengers at the Wilmington airport coming off the 2:30 p.m. flight from Charlotte said they hadn't notice the changes, primarily because their flights into and out of US Airways' Charlotte hub were so short. A flight from Charlotte to Wilmington takes 35 to 40 minutes.

But Mr. McCorkle, who writes an unofficial online company newsletter, said passengers notice the missing amenities on longer flights.

"It hasn't been well received, I can tell you that," he said. "And the worst part is passengers don't know about it until they get onboard, and by then it's too late."

In other cost-cutting moves, US Airways has closed five of its 26 private airport lounges and 39 of 56 city ticket offices.

Former company Chief Executive Officer Rakesh Gangwal, who resigned last month, estimated the cutbacks could save the airline up to $50 million a year. US Airways lost $766 million in the third quarter.

But in the long run, Mr. McCorkle said he thinks the belt- tightening measures, which could be construed as penny pinching by some, could irritate passengers to the point where they potentially cost the airline more in lost business than they actually save.

Although they admit the moves probably aren't popular with the flying public, industry officials doubt travelers take an airline's amenities - other than frequent flier miles - into consideration when making their travel plans.

"Today's determining factor of airline traffic is based on, one, price and, two, convenience," said R.W. Dick Masters, a Knoxville, Tenn., airline consultant retained by the Wilmington International Airport. "Amenities are nice, but they aren't the determining factor."

But if snuggling up on a flight is important, travelers from Wilmington still have a choice.

"Blankets, pillows and magazines are still part of all of our flights," said Gina spokeswoman for Atlantic Southeast Airlines, which flies as the Delta Connection. "We still have everything we've always had."

Like US Airways, however, Delta is dropping meal service from all flights under 1,750 miles.

But in a move perhaps reflecting passenger anger, US Airways spokesman David Castelveter said the airline is reconsidering some of the cutbacks adopted after the terrorist attacks - especially the removal of the pillows and blankets.

"We are responding to the demands of our customers," he said Tuesday.

Gareth McGrath: 343-2384 or [email protected]


Date Submitted: 12/13/01
Content Provider: Morning Star - Wilmington, N.C.
Copyright: (C) 2001 Morning Star - Wilmington, N.C.. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved