By: Tom Sybert

Tom Sybert — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:35:17 +0000

I asked a family member, who works for AA as a lead mechanic, if the airlines are making a lot of money at these extras. Flying US Airways a few weeks ago, it pissed me off that I had to pull out my credit card to and from Phoenix to pay for an extra bag. I asked if the Airlines were making money on this additional charge because the rates they are charging are still high and haven't changed much and the fact of the matter is that this is additional money that was never accounted for before. His response was very interesting, don't quote me on that as I was drinking more than I should have on the Fourth but he through out a number of what it costs to keep a plane in the air per minute and how many gallons of fuel it takes for a plane to take off, I believe 250-300, and these numbers were astonishing. He also talked about the food on the planes and that no one is buying them because they aren't good. Half the time the guys in the shop end up eating them. He wasn't quite sure where the money went from the cash sales on board and was pretty sure that it was money looser. We continued to talk and he was worried about the state of our airline industry. I let him and the ticket agent that I would have preferred to pay an extra 50 dollars for my ticket instead of shelling it out at the gate. I know that when I fly I choose Airline first, and then schedule. Price is important but not to the degree that the executives believe. I also think that they need to cut back the number of flights they have. Look at the ones that are not fully booked and save a little money. Do we really need 8 flights a day from Chicago to Los Angeles?

By: Richard Hyde

Richard Hyde — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:48:55 +0000

Todd, Hawaii isn't the most remote island, or even group of islands, in the world, the Tristan da Cunha islands are. Facts buddy.

Comments on: Airlines are Nickel and Diming us to Death!

By: Tom Sybert

By: Richard Hyde