Cheap Bastards
 

I am not such a frequent TWA flyer.Today though I came back from SFO to LGA.On the way there I was amazed at TWA's cheapness.They have a $5 "entertainment" fee the movie.Fine-five bucks is a little overpriced for headphones-(which you still have to return)and a video on a 4 inch screen.But what pissed me off was I was using my own earphones to listen and the FA comes over and demands $5 if I want to plug my own headphones into the audio jack!What a chutzpah!Passengers pay a few hundred dollars for a ticket to get stuffed into ever shrinking seats and the only thing TWA offers to get your mind off claustrophopia they charge $5 for-even w/ your own equipment.CHEAP .......S

Get a grip. If you don't want to pay the charge, bring a book, or fly FC. As far as I know, all airlines that charge for the use of their headsets also charge for the use of personal headsets (not always enforced) on movie flights.


[This message has been edited by socalterp (edited 10-26-2000).]

Actually, United has not been charging for headsets. They just leave them in the seat pocket.

I agree with mserle -- after paying hundreds of dollars it seems like nickel and diming to collect a fee. I'm sure the FAs hate doing it. Seems like it'd be much easier to build fee into price of ticket.

I know that UA doesn't charge- that's why I said "all airlines that charge for headsets."

CO charges too.........NW would too if they showed movies on long hauls.

On my 90000 or so miles this year (and most with movies), I have yet to notice a movie worth viewing. I bring 4-6 CDs and 3-4 magazines or books. Better entertainment/educational value by far.

I concur with MisterNice. Most recent movies stink. All else being equal, I would rather fly an airline that does charge for headsets; then, I know I'm not being forced to pay for something I will not use.

The $5 charge is not really for the use of the headsets (that's why you can't use your own for free). It's to pay for the installation of the IFE system (a bit more expensive than a TV set) and the license to show the movie (not sure on the specifics, but I'm sure the airline doesn't just rent tapes from a video store).

If its not for the headsets but for the system,then doesn't anyone charge for int'l flights? I tend to believe its a way to bring in some cash,after all a few years ago it was the same systems and they didn't charge even in coach.

The airline doesn't charge for the headsets. THe airlines charges for the movie. You watch it, you pay. It is stealing if you use your own headsets and try to get away with it. TW was right in demanding you pay.

Correct. Not everything has to be itemized; different markets may dictate different ways of charging for the movie (itemized vs. through the ticket price). Take checked luggage for example (I think PeoplExpress charged for that?). It really does cost money to check luggage but it's "free" (up to a point). For one thing, charging for checked luggage would cause even more people to bring everything on board.

Another example is food/beverage, which costs money to provide, but no one charges separately for it. Almost everyone uses the service, so there is no point in collecting cash from almost every passenger on board.

Well ****, how come we have to pay for the beer on the flights, why isn't the bathrooms bigger on board, how come this bad weather is delaying my flight, who cares if we are struck by lightning. My question is, these newly released movies hit on HBO, Showtime and such, are you paying for that? These movies are still generating revenue, and the airlines I'm sure are giving part of their intake to Paramount and such. Next time I suggest bring your laptop with a DVD player and your own headset, and you will be all set then.

When you go to the movies, does the theatre give you a free airline ticket? :P

Just as an FYI, HP collects fees if you want to use their headsets for movies, but not if you want to use your own. Sometimes the FAs even mention on the PA system during the movie preview announcement that if you have brought your personal headphones, feel free to plug them into the jacks and enjoy the movie.

R. Chavez

Thanks for the info, RChavez! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I work for a small UK charter company with a brand new fleet of B737-800s, and IFE equipped. We charge £3 ($4.20) for headsets, which can be taken away for use on further flights. We have no problem with people using their own headphones, even if obviously bought from another airline.

I think TWA as a big company - or any other for that matter is big enough to absorb the cost of a few people using their own equipment. I think it only serves as poor PR and puts the FAs in a potentially confrontational situation with the customer.