NYT: Do Airlines Need to Be Re-Regulated?
May 25, 2016, 11:00 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: LAS
Programs: PA FT, TW Gold, NW/CO PE, VK Eagleflyer
Posts: 7,173
May 28, 2016, 9:49 am
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
There is a broad swath of unhappy passengers who are not the customer. They are business travelers who have their tickets paid for or reimbursed by an employer or client.
Everybody wants a nice seat in F with 2 full meals, lounge access and top shelf booze. But, nobody is willing to pay for it. That is why US carriers dumped meals in Y, "free" luggage (at least the legacies) and the other stuff that used to be standard. It is also why DL is able to sell its Basic fares and ULCC's are profitable.
Reregulation cut prices, increased competition, and increased consumer choice. It's just a question of who the consumer is. But, that's a labor issue. Nobody wants to admit that they aren't valued by their employer, so they blame UA or some carrier.
Everybody wants a nice seat in F with 2 full meals, lounge access and top shelf booze. But, nobody is willing to pay for it. That is why US carriers dumped meals in Y, "free" luggage (at least the legacies) and the other stuff that used to be standard. It is also why DL is able to sell its Basic fares and ULCC's are profitable.
Reregulation cut prices, increased competition, and increased consumer choice. It's just a question of who the consumer is. But, that's a labor issue. Nobody wants to admit that they aren't valued by their employer, so they blame UA or some carrier.
Jun 2, 2016, 9:32 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,582
I think the airline industry could use a little regulation. They have 'un-bundled' their 'services' and the 'travel experience' to the point that many if not most of the general flying public frequently find their pants at the ankles with empty pockets.
We take for granted our (collective) general travel knowledge which guides is through the gauntlet of fees, add-on's, extras and rules while the airlines hose almost everyone behind row 21 or economy +.
We take for granted our (collective) general travel knowledge which guides is through the gauntlet of fees, add-on's, extras and rules while the airlines hose almost everyone behind row 21 or economy +.
Jun 2, 2016, 10:48 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: BNA and TPA
Programs: AA-EXP, UA, WN, DL- zilch by choice, IHG-Diamond, Marriott-Gold, Hilton Gold,
Posts: 566
Ah, the glory days of the regulated airline industry.
A February 1, 1963 complete system timetable of the now-defunct Eastern Airlines lists the lowest round trip day coach fare BOS-MIA-BOS as $166.00.
Adjusted for inflation in today's dollars that's $1298.00. And that's the rock bottom.
Want to find a better fare on another airline? Can't do it. The government set the fares and thus all airlines charged the same fare.
Yeah let's bring that back. And the white gloves on the flight attendants.
A February 1, 1963 complete system timetable of the now-defunct Eastern Airlines lists the lowest round trip day coach fare BOS-MIA-BOS as $166.00.
Adjusted for inflation in today's dollars that's $1298.00. And that's the rock bottom.
Want to find a better fare on another airline? Can't do it. The government set the fares and thus all airlines charged the same fare.
Yeah let's bring that back. And the white gloves on the flight attendants.