Comments on: Getting taken for a ride: Airline fees http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/ CNNMoney.com Talkback Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:32:36 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: John Santivasci, Saint Leonard, Md http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-17703 John Santivasci, Saint Leonard, Md Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:50:11 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-17703 My brother is the Marine in charge of the war effort in Afghanistan. Our father is dying, and his wife and kids flew home from Japan to see him. They were 18 pounds overweight on the return trip. United airlines charged them $654.00. Is this how United Airlines treats Military Hero's families? Now he is in Afghanistan worrying about his finances, thanks to United Airlines. He has served 3 tours in Iraq, and this is first in Afghanistan. The terrorist can't get him, but United Airlines did. Hopefully they will do right thing and refund his money. He is worried sick about his family now and is trying to handle this from Afghanistan. He needs to be concentrating on the terrorist and his personnel, not this. My brother is the Marine in charge of the war effort in Afghanistan. Our father is dying, and his wife and kids flew home from Japan to see him. They were 18 pounds overweight on the return trip. United airlines charged them $654.00. Is this how United Airlines treats Military Hero’s families? Now he is in Afghanistan worrying about his finances, thanks to United Airlines. He has served 3 tours in Iraq, and this is first in Afghanistan. The terrorist can’t get him, but United Airlines did. Hopefully they will do right thing and refund his money. He is worried sick about his family now and is trying to handle this from Afghanistan. He needs to be concentrating on the terrorist and his personnel, not this.

]]> By: Don Cordell, Lancaster, CA http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5846 Don Cordell, Lancaster, CA Sun, 04 Nov 2007 23:17:40 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5846 It looks like we need to re regulate the airlines. If I'm elected President in 2008, I will do exactly that. I have not flown since Nov 98 because of bad service. I didn't want to get arrested for cussing about bad service. I finally started taking my own snacks with me, since a bag of peanuts and a soda were not enough by the time I'd leave home, wait in the airport 2 hours, then on the tarmak for an hour for flight delays, then 3 hours flight, and a layover in St. Louis for 2 hours and then finally a connecting flight to Indpls. I finally gave up, and I can drive there in 40 hours, have my own car to drive around the city, and surrounding communites. Of course now you may not take any food or drink on any flight. You may of course pay $3 dollars for a dried up sandwich in the airport, and $2 for a 16 cent can of Soda. Much easier, and yes it's tiring but I'm sure in a better mood, and not in jail for punching out a disrepectable airlines employee. Unfortunately now with gas at $3.25/gal I can't do that anymore either. Ah well, there is the telephone, and emails. Regular gas $1.29/gal when I'm President. It looks like we need to re regulate the airlines. If I’m elected President in 2008, I will do exactly that. I have not flown since Nov 98 because of bad service. I didn’t want to get arrested for cussing about bad service. I finally started taking my own snacks with me, since a bag of peanuts and a soda were not enough by the time I’d leave home, wait in the airport 2 hours, then on the tarmak for an hour for flight delays, then 3 hours flight, and a layover in St. Louis for 2 hours and then finally a connecting flight to Indpls. I finally gave up, and I can drive there in 40 hours, have my own car to drive around the city, and surrounding communites.
Of course now you may not take any food or drink on any flight. You may of course pay $3 dollars for a dried up sandwich in the airport, and $2 for a 16 cent can of Soda.
Much easier, and yes it’s tiring but I’m sure in a better mood, and not in jail for punching out a disrepectable airlines employee. Unfortunately now with gas at $3.25/gal I can’t do that anymore either. Ah well, there is the telephone, and emails. Regular gas $1.29/gal when I’m President.

]]> By: Nancy, Savannah, GA http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5454 Nancy, Savannah, GA Tue, 16 Oct 2007 07:48:38 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5454 Airline tickets prices have gone crazy. What about the Military people wanting to come home to their families for Christmas but wont be able to due to the high cost? They need to bring them fares down. I used to fly at least a couple times a year but I havent flown in awhile due to the cost and I know someone in the Military now wanting to go home for Christmas but dont think will be able to because of high airfare. Airline tickets prices have gone crazy. What about the Military people wanting to come home to their families for Christmas but wont be able to due to the high cost? They need to bring them fares down. I used to fly at least a couple times a year but I havent flown in awhile due to the cost and I know someone in the Military now wanting to go home for Christmas but dont think will be able to because of high airfare.

]]> By: Dan Collura, Newport Beach, CA. http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5449 Dan Collura, Newport Beach, CA. Tue, 16 Oct 2007 05:55:42 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5449 The medial loves to dote on the darling of the airline industry, Jet Blue. Jet Blue is somewhat like Barak Obama or Hillary Clinton. Do you really know who Jet Blue is? One of Jet Blue's principle owners is the infamous Jewish billionaire from communist Hungary, George Soros. Soros (Who runs & owns the Democrat Party) is suppose to be a champion of the "little" or "working" people. When in fact, Soros routinely starts up non-union companies like Jet Blue and pays his employee's minimum wage. Jet Blue did not have to pay for their Airbus airplanes for 5 years. Now, what business wouldn't make a profit when you don't have to pay for multi-million dollar sophisticated airplanes? Now they do have to pay for their airplanes and the company has been suffering accordingly. Jet Blue avoids unions and paying pilots a decent wage by signing them to work on a contract basis. A typical contract is about two years long. Because Jet Blue does not offer a career to any of their blue collar employee's, they attract only the inexperienced or those who just can't get a job at another airline for one reason or another. So, next time you are sitting in your Jet Blue posh seat and viewing Seinfeld at 35,000 feet--Just think about what we are talking about here. This is a rotten little company and it is only a matter of time before they go out of business. Wall Street and the liberal media will say little to nothing and instead focus on a new entrant airline that will replace Jet Blue. The revolving door continues and in the meantime the rest of us who are long time professionals end up taking all of the criticism. That's the liberal way. Reward the lowest common denominator and bash those who are successful. The medial loves to dote on the darling of the airline industry, Jet Blue. Jet Blue is somewhat like Barak Obama or Hillary Clinton. Do you really know who Jet Blue is?

One of Jet Blue’s principle owners is the infamous Jewish billionaire from communist Hungary, George Soros. Soros (Who runs & owns the Democrat Party) is suppose to be a champion of the “little” or “working” people. When in fact, Soros routinely starts up non-union companies like Jet Blue and pays his employee’s minimum wage.

Jet Blue did not have to pay for their Airbus airplanes for 5 years. Now, what business wouldn’t make a profit when you don’t have to pay for multi-million dollar sophisticated airplanes? Now they do have to pay for their airplanes and the company has been suffering accordingly.

Jet Blue avoids unions and paying pilots a decent wage by signing them to work on a contract basis. A typical contract is about two years long. Because Jet Blue does not offer a career to any of their blue collar employee’s, they attract only the inexperienced or those who just can’t get a job at another airline for one reason or another.

So, next time you are sitting in your Jet Blue posh seat and viewing Seinfeld at 35,000 feet–Just think about what we are talking about here.

This is a rotten little company and it is only a matter of time before they go out of business. Wall Street and the liberal media will say little to nothing and instead focus on a new entrant airline that will replace Jet Blue. The revolving door continues and in the meantime the rest of us who are long time professionals end up taking all of the criticism. That’s the liberal way. Reward the lowest common denominator and bash those who are successful.

]]> By: Dan Collura, Newport Beach, CA. http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5447 Dan Collura, Newport Beach, CA. Tue, 16 Oct 2007 05:38:06 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5447 The problem with the airline industry is our federal government and Wall Street. Both highly criticize legacy air carriers and in the same breath commend new entrant airlines. When it is the new entrant airline that is causing all of the trouble. Most new entrant airlines have little to no chance of survival. Most fail. Before they fail they cause havoc in the industry. They hire cheap flight crews who are inexperienced or for one reason or another cannot get hired by a legacy air carrier. Their airplanes are either old and beat up (you will never know because what a fresh coat of paint and a new enterior will do wonders for the traveling public)or they are being subsidized by an aircraft manufacturer. A legacy carrier can match an new entrant fare but the legacy carrier cannot undercut a new entrant. In the meantime the legacy carrier is trying to run a quality business but can't do so because they have to constantly compete with a revolving door of new entrant airlines who don't have a chance in hell to survive. These new entrants are boosted and protected by the fed and Wall Street praises them for their cheap air fares and quick profits. You can blame former President Jimmy Carter for today's Airline Deregulation Act. It was the socialist Alfred Kahn, who worked for Carter, who came up with the Airline Deregulation Act. Kahn's sole entent was to provide cheap airfare for the traveling public with little to no concern about airline profitability. Once again, this is classic liberalism and Democrats in action. Liberals are never concerned about cause and effect of their idiot ideas. The problem with the airline industry is our federal government and Wall Street. Both highly criticize legacy air carriers and in the same breath commend new entrant airlines. When it is the new entrant airline that is causing all of the trouble.

Most new entrant airlines have little to no chance of survival. Most fail. Before they fail they cause havoc in the industry. They hire cheap flight crews who are inexperienced or for one reason or another cannot get hired by a legacy air carrier. Their airplanes are either old and beat up (you will never know because what a fresh coat of paint and a new enterior will do wonders for the traveling public)or they are being subsidized by an aircraft manufacturer. A legacy carrier can match an new entrant fare but the legacy carrier cannot undercut a new entrant. In the meantime the legacy carrier is trying to run a quality business but can’t do so because they have to constantly compete with a revolving door of new entrant airlines who don’t have a chance in hell to survive. These new entrants are boosted and protected by the fed and Wall Street praises them for their cheap air fares and quick profits.

You can blame former President Jimmy Carter for today’s Airline Deregulation Act. It was the socialist Alfred Kahn, who worked for Carter, who came up with the Airline Deregulation Act. Kahn’s sole entent was to provide cheap airfare for the traveling public with little to no concern about airline profitability. Once again, this is classic liberalism and Democrats in action. Liberals are never concerned about cause and effect of their idiot ideas.

]]> By: Dan Collura, Newport Beach, CA. http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5445 Dan Collura, Newport Beach, CA. Tue, 16 Oct 2007 05:20:01 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5445 Most of you expect to fly from NY to LA and to be met by a professional flight crew. You expect a sparkling clean brand new multi-million dollar airplane. You demand unlimited drinks. You want not only a gourmet meal but your choice of meal. You expect an entertainment system that you can't even afford at home. There can be a raging blizzard or a horrific thunderstorm outside and you wonder why you are being delayed. Furthermore, you don't care about the weather or safety for that matter. All that you know is that you want to go NOW and damn the weather. If the flight is too late or too EARLY, you will go bonkers. And you want all of this for paying little to nothing. Aren't you special! Most of you expect to fly from NY to LA and to be met by a professional flight crew. You expect a sparkling clean brand new multi-million dollar airplane. You demand unlimited drinks. You want not only a gourmet meal but your choice of meal. You expect an entertainment system that you can’t even afford at home. There can be a raging blizzard or a horrific thunderstorm outside and you wonder why you are being delayed. Furthermore, you don’t care about the weather or safety for that matter. All that you know is that you want to go NOW and damn the weather. If the flight is too late or too EARLY, you will go bonkers. And you want all of this for paying little to nothing.

Aren’t you special!

]]> By: Dan Collura, Newport Beach, California http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5444 Dan Collura, Newport Beach, California Tue, 16 Oct 2007 05:04:02 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5444 Airlines are in business to earn a profit and not to provide free air travel. On one hand Wall Street and the Fed are screaming for airlines to reduce capacity and in the same breath they cheer on new entrant airlines who add capacity and undercut the rest. Then what do the rest of you expect? No one says a thing car rental agencies and hotels who gouge the traveling public. Rental cars are exorbitantly expensive. Rental cars are hideous, they stink and are filthy. If you dare go over by one rental day your fee will be about 25 to 50% of the total cost. Hotel rooms are outrageously expensive. Hotel staff are surly and seemingly resentful. Many act as if they are doing you a favor. Rooms require repair. The are dirty and they charge a fortune for a bottle of water or a simple hamburger. Many hotels now charge $20 a day or more just to park in their lot. The larger hotels charge a "convenience" or "resort" fee. This can be anywhere from $20 to $50 or more per day added onto your hotel bill. If you are angry about the airline industry then blame socialists Jimmy Carter and the Father of Airline Deregulation, Alfred Kahn. It is they who set the framework for today's failed airline industry. This is typical liberalism or socialist Democrats in action. They seldom consider cause and effect of their wacky ideas. Airlines are in business to earn a profit and not to provide free air travel.

On one hand Wall Street and the Fed are screaming for airlines to reduce capacity and in the same breath they cheer on new entrant airlines who add capacity and undercut the rest. Then what do the rest of you expect?

No one says a thing car rental agencies and hotels who gouge the traveling public. Rental cars are exorbitantly expensive. Rental cars are hideous, they stink and are filthy. If you dare go over by one rental day your fee will be about 25 to 50% of the total cost. Hotel rooms are outrageously expensive. Hotel staff are surly and seemingly resentful. Many act as if they are doing you a favor. Rooms require repair. The are dirty and they charge a fortune for a bottle of water or a simple hamburger. Many hotels now charge $20 a day or more just to park in their lot. The larger hotels charge a “convenience” or “resort” fee. This can be anywhere from $20 to $50 or more per day added onto your hotel bill.

If you are angry about the airline industry then blame socialists Jimmy Carter and the Father of Airline Deregulation, Alfred Kahn. It is they who set the framework for today’s failed airline industry. This is typical liberalism or socialist Democrats in action. They seldom consider cause and effect of their wacky ideas.

]]> By: Zeke, Prescott, AZ http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5436 Zeke, Prescott, AZ Tue, 16 Oct 2007 03:32:01 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5436 US Airways is rated along with United as the worst in the US. No food; surley attendants; late or cancelled flights; ridiculous fees; and don't even try to talk to their reservations because no one ever seems to answer. What US Air needs in Phoenix is some competition. By the way, save your time and effort in writing a complaint or sending and email. They never answer and really don't seem to know what Customer Service is or even care. US Airways is rated along with United as the worst in the US. No food; surley attendants; late or cancelled flights; ridiculous fees; and don’t even try to talk to their reservations because no one ever seems to answer.

What US Air needs in Phoenix is some competition. By the way, save your time and effort in writing a complaint or sending and email. They never answer and really don’t seem to know what Customer Service is or even care.

]]> By: Katherine, BlueGrass, IA http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5433 Katherine, BlueGrass, IA Tue, 16 Oct 2007 02:38:23 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5433 I decided to use a small airport in Iowa to fly out East for Thanksgiving. I was going to book it 4 weeks in advance and fly during times that are recommended for a cheaper flight. Instead of driving 4 hours to the nearest "large" airport, it was more convenient to use the airport that was 20 minutes away. Unfortunately, the ticket from the large airport was $150 and the same ticket from the small airport was $1,000. I decided to call my relatives and wish them a Happy Thanksgiving. I decided to use a small airport in Iowa to fly out East for Thanksgiving. I was going to book it 4 weeks in advance and fly during times that are recommended for a cheaper flight. Instead of driving 4 hours to the nearest “large” airport, it was more convenient to use the airport that was 20 minutes away. Unfortunately, the ticket from the large airport was $150 and the same ticket from the small airport was $1,000. I decided to call my relatives and wish them a Happy Thanksgiving.

]]> By: R.Jennings, Chicago http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5428 R.Jennings, Chicago Tue, 16 Oct 2007 02:02:49 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5428 There has to be a "quid pro quo" between airlines and their customers. If we have to pay a re-booking fee when our plans change, and they often do for business people who pay premium prices anyway, then we should be paid an inconvenience fee in the same amount when the airlines change their plans, at fault or not. No if ands or buts about it. I'm happy to pay for anything that eats more fuel with costs above my ticket price - excess baggage weight for instance and I'll pay for food and drinks in economy - but not to change my ticket. The airline has been paid for my seat on whichever flight I take. It cost them nothing to move me to another flight if there is an open seat. I also bitterly resent having to pay outrageous taxes for the pleasure of visiting or doing business in another country. Th UK currently adds a $100 departure tax to tickets for any travel outbound from the UK. I should pay a tax for visiting that country and spending lots of money into that economy while I'm there? I think not. Time ALL travellers stood up and yelled - HARD. There has to be a “quid pro quo” between airlines and their customers. If we have to pay a re-booking fee when our plans change, and they often do for business people who pay premium prices anyway, then we should be paid an inconvenience fee in the same amount when the airlines change their plans, at fault or not. No if ands or buts about it.
I’m happy to pay for anything that eats more fuel with costs above my ticket price – excess baggage weight for instance and I’ll pay for food and drinks in economy – but not to change my ticket. The airline has been paid for my seat on whichever flight I take. It cost them nothing to move me to another flight if there is an open seat.
I also bitterly resent having to pay outrageous taxes for the pleasure of visiting or doing business in another country.
Th UK currently adds a $100 departure tax to tickets for any travel outbound from the UK. I should pay a tax for visiting that country and spending lots of money into that economy while I’m there? I think not.
Time ALL travellers stood up and yelled – HARD.

]]> By: Gary, El Paso Texas http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5418 Gary, El Paso Texas Mon, 15 Oct 2007 23:58:43 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5418 I work as a travel professional, my advice, always fly either Southwest or Continental. Southwest because they don't charge any fees and are usually the least expensive. Continental because, although they charge fees for things, they have the youngest air fleet of all US airlines. I travel often, and when I do I only travel on these 2 airlines. I flew on American once, never again..first we were delayed at takoff, delayed in my connecting city...and then delayed again when we arrived in our arrival city because there were no ground crew to park the plane, also the flight attendance were there serving drinks..after that I didn't see them again until we were landing. I work as a travel professional, my advice, always fly either Southwest or Continental. Southwest because they don’t charge any fees and are usually the least expensive. Continental because, although they charge fees for things, they have the youngest air fleet of all US airlines. I travel often, and when I do I only travel on these 2 airlines. I flew on American once, never again..first we were delayed at takoff, delayed in my connecting city…and then delayed again when we arrived in our arrival city because there were no ground crew to park the plane, also the flight attendance were there serving drinks..after that I didn’t see them again until we were landing.

]]> By: Don Cordell Lancaster, CA http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5042 Don Cordell Lancaster, CA Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:01:01 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5042 The only time I'll ever fly again will be on Airforce ONE, after I'm elected in 2008. My first problem now is the arrogance with the security personnel on check in, then I'm treated like an annoyance, not a customer. I can understand flights cancelled or late caused by weather, that can't be helped, but first my luggage being robbed by baggage handlers, then totally missing luggage, that the airlines later sell to a store in Scottsboro, Arkansas. Just bad customer relationship all the way around anymore. So I'd rather drive even if it takes me 3 days to get some where. If I get mad in the airport the police can arrest me for disturbing the peace. The airlines are immune to your complaints, just smuggly ignore you with "Thats our policy" Well when I'm president I will enact a law that every piece of missing luggage will cost the airlines $10,000 each. Results "not one bag missing". If we don't fight back, no one will do it for us. Stand up for your rights and when a particular line gives you trouble drop them, or write to the Board of Directors. Make a lot of noise, but be careful of being handcuffed, you may end up dead. Is this anyway to run a business, who do the airlines think they are The Federal Government? The only time I’ll ever fly again will be on Airforce ONE, after I’m elected in 2008. My first problem now is the arrogance with the security personnel on check in, then I’m treated like an annoyance, not a customer. I can understand flights cancelled or late caused by weather, that can’t be helped, but first my luggage being robbed by baggage handlers, then totally missing luggage, that the airlines later sell to a store in Scottsboro, Arkansas. Just bad customer relationship all the way around anymore. So I’d rather drive even if it takes me 3 days to get some where. If I get mad in the airport the police can arrest me for disturbing the peace. The airlines are immune to your complaints, just smuggly ignore you with “Thats our policy”
Well when I’m president I will enact a law that every piece of missing luggage will cost the airlines $10,000 each. Results “not one bag missing”. If we don’t fight back, no one will do it for us. Stand up for your rights and when a particular line gives you trouble drop them, or write to the Board of Directors. Make a lot of noise, but be careful of being handcuffed, you may end up dead. Is this anyway to run a business, who do the airlines think they are The Federal Government?

]]> By: Jake, Falls Church, VA http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5009 Jake, Falls Church, VA Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:17:06 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-5009 Will US Air or American pay me $100 when they change my plans unexpectedly by canceling or delaying flights? Will US Air or American pay me $100 when they change my plans unexpectedly by canceling or delaying flights?

]]> By: brad, Los Angeles, CA http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-4864 brad, Los Angeles, CA Thu, 11 Oct 2007 02:24:35 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-4864 I guess I was just lucky with American, but all the comments of high speed rail yeah why not? Just for me to get to the airport is a hassle, waiting is a hassle, love to travel by rail , but only if it was indeed high speed. Those who travel from LA to Vegas would use it alot, as well as other "short" trips that flying is more than a hassle but takes longer than driving! I guess I was just lucky with American, but all the comments of high speed rail yeah why not? Just for me to get to the airport is a hassle, waiting is a hassle, love to travel by rail , but only if it was indeed high speed. Those who travel from LA to Vegas would use it alot, as well as other “short” trips that flying is more than a hassle but takes longer than driving!

]]> By: Brad, Los Angeles, CA http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-4863 Brad, Los Angeles, CA Thu, 11 Oct 2007 01:23:13 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-4863 I was very ultra overly polite with American about their change fee, and although they still charged it they gave me a voucher good for a year for the fee. So it worked out and didn't have many restrictions just the time to use it so that was okay by me. I was very ultra overly polite with American about their change fee, and although they still charged it they gave me a voucher good for a year for the fee. So it worked out and didn’t have many restrictions just the time to use it so that was okay by me.

]]> By: Kathy, Dallas, Texas http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-4806 Kathy, Dallas, Texas Sat, 06 Oct 2007 08:04:09 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-4806 I wouldn't mind the change fees so bad if they worked both ways. I am quite disgusted by the fact that the airline can change or delay or cancel my flight and the only 'penalty' they suffer is arranging a new flight for me; whether or not it is convenient for me is immaterial. If they had to pay the same fees to their customers as they charge them when the customers change his/her plans, then it would be fair. If not, we're just getting ripped off. I wouldn’t mind the change fees so bad if they worked both ways. I am quite disgusted by the fact that the airline can change or delay or cancel my flight and the only ‘penalty’ they suffer is arranging a new flight for me; whether or not it is convenient for me is immaterial. If they had to pay the same fees to their customers as they charge them when the customers change his/her plans, then it would be fair. If not, we’re just getting ripped off.

]]> By: Marc, Chapel Hill, NC http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-4792 Marc, Chapel Hill, NC Fri, 05 Oct 2007 21:00:29 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-4792 Oh, and I have no sympathy for the airlines whining about the federal regulations when most of them will choose to fly three or four half-full regional jets on one route (say RDU to JFK) instead of one large plane that they could actually fill up and use efficiently. Oh, and I have no sympathy for the airlines whining about the federal regulations when most of them will choose to fly three or four half-full regional jets on one route (say RDU to JFK) instead of one large plane that they could actually fill up and use efficiently.

]]> By: Marc, Chapel HIll, NC http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-4791 Marc, Chapel HIll, NC Fri, 05 Oct 2007 20:58:59 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-4791 I fly 100,000+ miles a year. Change fees are just a part of the business. HOWEVER, for those who argue that if you pay a low fare you should expect fees up the wazoo, I would agree if it were a bilateral arrangement. If I change my end of our transaction, I pay fees. But if the airline changes their end of the transaction (i.e. delays, crew problems, etc) then they should also pay a fee to me for their changes. I've been on too many flights canceled because of airline mistakes where the response is "Ooops. Sorry for the inconvenience." I also happen to think that they should have two levels of change fees, one if the seat is able to be rebooked (say $50) or the flight is not full (thereby the new extra seat did not "hurt" them because there is existing unsold inventory) and one if the seat remains unsold on a previously overbooked flight (say $200) where they may have a case for lost revenue. I fly 100,000+ miles a year. Change fees are just a part of the business. HOWEVER, for those who argue that if you pay a low fare you should expect fees up the wazoo, I would agree if it were a bilateral arrangement. If I change my end of our transaction, I pay fees. But if the airline changes their end of the transaction (i.e. delays, crew problems, etc) then they should also pay a fee to me for their changes. I’ve been on too many flights canceled because of airline mistakes where the response is “Ooops. Sorry for the inconvenience.” I also happen to think that they should have two levels of change fees, one if the seat is able to be rebooked (say $50) or the flight is not full (thereby the new extra seat did not “hurt” them because there is existing unsold inventory) and one if the seat remains unsold on a previously overbooked flight (say $200) where they may have a case for lost revenue.

]]> By: Anonymous http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-4701 Anonymous Thu, 04 Oct 2007 21:21:15 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-4701 I fly weekly. It used to be 50-50 between Southwest and Continental. I received electronic notification recently from Continental that my flight time was moved up by 2 hours. I drive 100 miles to the airport and would have had to leave the house before 4:00 am. I called to ask if I could change. No doing unless I was willing to pay full fare for a same day flight. As Southwest grows and provides service to new destinations, I fly more of my trips with them. It is now about 90-10 in SW favor. I schedule trips well in advance and the pricing reflects same. I have rarely had to change flights but, understand that if I do, It will cost more depending on how soon I need to leave. Also, I must be the luckiest traveler in the world. I've had this travel schedule for better than 3 years now and have had just a handfull of weather delays, minimal equipment delays, never a delay on the tarmac and never lost luggage. Oh yeah, just a note to parents. Please don't wake your children up at 5:00 am for an early flight. Regular travelers are tired of listening to the whining, crying and temper tantrum fits. Book in advance and travel at a reasonable hour for kids. More often than not, the kid is so spoiled and whines constantly, that the parents have learned to tune them out, oblivious to everything. I fly weekly. It used to be 50-50 between Southwest and Continental. I received electronic notification recently from Continental that my flight time was moved up by 2 hours. I drive 100 miles to the airport and would have had to leave the house before 4:00 am. I called to ask if I could change. No doing unless I was willing to pay full fare for a same day flight. As Southwest grows and provides service to new destinations, I fly more of my trips with them. It is now about 90-10 in SW favor. I schedule trips well in advance and the pricing reflects same. I have rarely had to change flights but, understand that if I do, It will cost more depending on how soon I need to leave. Also, I must be the luckiest traveler in the world. I’ve had this travel schedule for better than 3 years now and have had just a handfull of weather delays, minimal equipment delays, never a delay on the tarmac and never lost luggage. Oh yeah, just a note to parents. Please don’t wake your children up at 5:00 am for an early flight. Regular travelers are tired of listening to the whining, crying and temper tantrum fits. Book in advance and travel at a reasonable hour for kids. More often than not, the kid is so spoiled and whines constantly, that the parents have learned to tune them out, oblivious to everything.

]]> By: Robert, Chicago, IL http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.cnn.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-4396 Robert, Chicago, IL Mon, 01 Oct 2007 03:07:57 +0000 http://cnnmoneytalkback.blogs.cnnmoney.com/2007/09/26/getting-taken-for-a-ride-airline-fees/#comment-4396 Wow we call them greedy and saying that they are ripping us off?! Let's review some facts, the only thing not affected by inflation have been airline tickets. We are playing less now than we were 20 years ago. Can we say that about anything else? We are just getting what we pay for. I mean come on, I paid more to take the taxi to the airport than I did to fly to Orlando!! Wow we call them greedy and saying that they are ripping us off?! Let’s review some facts, the only thing not affected by inflation have been airline tickets. We are playing less now than we were 20 years ago. Can we say that about anything else? We are just getting what we pay for. I mean come on, I paid more to take the taxi to the airport than I did to fly to Orlando!!

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