What will air travel in the USA be like ten years from now?

Hmmm....so far, we no longer have real butter knives, no movies or artificial sweetener on NW, no meals on UA if the flight is less than two-thirds the length of the US, screw-off caps on wine, some airlines want to eliminate all carry-ons....the list goes on and on.

At the current rate of cheapness, what will we end up with down the road? Sarcastic and/or creative answers welcomed!

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[This message has been edited by MileageAddict (edited 10-19-2001).]

Let's see.....

- Today's economy will become "first class", with today's first & business classes ultra first class (read, if you have to ask how many dollars or miles to upgrade or get, you can't afford it).
- Cheapest seats will be like those on military planes--no window, facing away from the side, crammed, facing another pax only 2 or 3 feet away.
- On those trancons, to save time and money, as the plane pass over cities, those paxs going there can parachute down there, with baggage delivered separately (parachuted separately--you find it when you get down there).



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UA PremExec (2001)
mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>

-Airport lounges will be open air, located in the terminal parking lots, far from the curbs. Snacks and drinks will be provided by VillageIdiot and his franchised empire of hot dog carts.

-FAs will be non-paid and elected amongst all pax on each departing flights (pax will be granted additional votes based upon status).

-As planes become more and more sophisticated, above measure will be implemented for pilots as well.

-Miles will still be awarded, but only on flight segments above 2800 miles.

All carriers, in a cost-cutting move will merge together and rename the new company:

GreyhoundAir

Carry on limited to one piece, no bigger then a lap-top. Maximum limit of baggage, 1 piece no greater then 15 pounds, or you pay extra.

- Passengers will have to bring their own pillows, blankets, headset, sweetener, paper napkins, plastic cups, plates and utensils. Also bring your own roll of toilet paper.
- For coffee drinker, supply your own ground coffee, airline will only supply hot water.
- Last passenger on board will automatically be selected to scrub the lavatory.

Based on the baggage responses posted above, might it be a good time to buy stock in Federal Express?

Many years ago (mid-80's), Alaska Airlines ran a bunch of commercials expressing their full service flights versus the competitor.

One commercial shows a fella heading back to the lavatory only to see it requires 50c to enter. The remainder of the commercial has him going around the plane (cross legged of course) asking people if they can break a $10 bill for him. At first he simply asks to break the ten, by the end of the commercial, he's willing to accept 50c for the $10 bill. It was quite hilarious. Sadly, it could be an accurate picture of the future now!

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Simply ridding themselves of all the pax should eliminate all the problems!

All of a sudden I'm recalling the "FedEx People Pak" thread started around April Fool's Day...

Hey, never in our wildest dreams did we think we'd see flights without sugar/creamer, either, did we?

Special "Second class" area:

In the overhead compartment, or underneath the seat in front of you.

I can see the day where PAX are forced to stand on the little baggage scale when checking in, and pay a "fuel consumption surcharge" per pound.

I can see the list of various undisclosed surcharges growing- see hotel chains.

"Toilet paper surchage- $.50 per sheet. Water charge, per flush, and per second of flow from sink, say .20 per ounce." This can be taken care of by simply swiping your credit card at the door. This can also pay for the $.50 per minute charge for lavatory occupancy for those that go in there and don't use the faciltities- you know- to change their baby, do a few lines, or get to know fellow passenger or crew members just a little better."

I also think that free drinks of any sort will be a thing of the past. OJ- $3. Coke $3. Plus, the $3 delivery charge. Plus the $25% gratuity. Plus the "tip line". Nuts and pretzels will be only $1.50 a bag. Plus, of course, the appropriate charges.

All of these changes will of course be referred to as "enhancements."

And, of course, there changes will be referred to as "enhacements".

Finally, I see the Administration proposing a "Federal Aviation Saving Act of 2002." Because all dissenters in the new America are summarily dismissed as "traitors" in defense of "liberty", this bill passes the House and Senate 430-2, and 98-1 respectively. This bill will simply provide an antitrust exemption for the airlines. Soon, a virtual monopoly of over certain routes will become an actual monopoly. If you want to fly LAX-SFO- UAL's your choice. MSP-DEN, you go NWA, my friend. And fares-they go way up - for the good of America.

And you, the consumer- you go to .....

After they federalize all the security screeners, then figure out the cost has tripled (not just because of pay, but all the new rules), then the airlines start folding due to increased expense and because travel is a hassle, etc. etc.

We will then have one airline run by the Federal Gov't. Free enterprise is gone. No frills. It is coming. Watch and see.

http://www.brknews.com/news/fedex.html

My favorite paragraph from the above-mentioned website:
Basic service will offer only the pouch and guaranteed next-day delivery;

Extra� will include a pack of peanuts and heating controls in the envelope for added comfort; and Max� � the
First Class will feature a myriad of in-pouch storage pockets for travelers' personal effects, a battery-powered reading light, a Lunchable� snack treat (including juice box), and an ultra-compact Porta-Pottie.



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[This message has been edited by MileageAddict (edited 10-20-2001).]