Just when you thought flying experience could not be worse, Spirit Airlines began charging passengers $ 45 each last month placed the luggage in the overhead compartment. While some may consider this a necessary step to keep the airlines operating in the dark, I think when I have more to categorize this as a word: disaster.
Before you think that is a very dramatic reaction, consider some facts. First, the Spirit is not difficult to make ends meet, the company has chained six consecutive quarters of earnings, compared with the latter being a profit of $ 22 million for the first quarter of 2010. Last year, we saw fees for checked luggage bag $ 10 for $ 25, $ 50 and even, in certain circumstances. And now they want to charge to continue? When will it stop? $ 5 for a bulky sweatshirt? $ 10 if you use a sports bra?
This is nothing more than a move to squeeze more money travelers, while consumers are trying to find a light at the end of the tunnel economy.
My question is not here with Spirit Airlines, frankly, they are like the indie band that sets the parking lot of a Dave Matthews concert. And with rates as low as $ 10, its small market may not mind an extra passenger. The question is whether the major players to adopt the previous set up Spirit.
Some travelers have received the charges, thinking that will solve the problem of passengers trying to cram everything they have in their hand luggage and to slow the boarding process. I say, think again.
This will not convince anyone to pack light or just take a toothbrush and an iPod on the road. Any person who pays an additional $ 45 is more likely to lock your suitcase at the Max-human nature.
While airlines obviously need to compensate for lost revenue and the continuing effects of the poor economy, there are much better solutions than the load of passengers to take their belongings with them. Here are several taxes that seem much better (and we would be happy to pay a lot more):
Fee of $ 5 to sit in a baby crying in the free online red-eye flights.
Fee $ 7 for a bathroom # 2-free. (May be applied through the honor system.)
$ 25 fee to fly the aircraft for a while. You want to try a landing? $ 50.
$ 10 fee to deliver the announcement of security.
$ 15 to solve the Sudoku puzzle in-flight magazine.
$ 20 fee to switch places with the person next to Pamela Anderson
Just over the savings industry solutions:
Sort lines, rather than a drink to save a flight attendant per flight.
Hold a raffle to “Guess who the air marshal?”
Install a karaoke machine on board. (They always save a company in difficulty.)
Sierra Mist buy in bulk. (I’m sure these boxes are more expensive than the airlines think, at least that’s what I was led to believe, because every time I ask I get a complete look of disgust agents on board.)
Sure, there are more practical solutions, such as the renegotiation of oil contracts, the opening of roads controlled by traditional airlines to the smallest, most profitable airlines, and simply adjust ticket prices to reflect higher costs of theft.
I really do not think people mind paying a fair price of the ticket, you are guaranteed there will be no hidden fees when they arrive at the airport. It seemed to work reasonably well from 1903 until a few years ago. The cost of oil has since dropped to normal levels, but costs remain, it is time to stop.
Regardless of industry, annoying your customers has never been a way to save a company. We want to steal your shiny big planes. Please help us.
Tags: Airline, airline baggage, consecutive quarters, dave matthews concert, economy, Expert, Fee, hand luggage, person, poor economy, Spirit, spirit airlines
