"Author William Poundstone, who writes about consumer behavior, said that because the human mind has a limited ability to deal with numerical information.... any outrage over the fees will subside, thanks to a psychological principle known as adaption level. “When the price of something goes up or a new fee is assessed, people get angry but end up quickly adjusting. After a few weeks the new price is seen as normal and natural.’’
Sort of like BOILING a FROG with "terror alerts," huh?
Nice to wake up to an EARLY INSULT in the NEWSPAPER, huh?
Of course, why wouldn't they feel that way?
You sure have forgotten what liars they are, America.
"Airline fees becoming the new normal" by Dave Demerjian, Globe Correspondent | April 23, 2010
To travelers, it may seem that the cost of flying just keeps soaring.
Airlines now charge for everything from exit row seats, meals, and headphones, to doing things such as redeeming miles or speaking with an agent on the telephone. The fees, known as unbundling or a la carte pricing, will keep coming as airlines struggle to navigate a weak economy and volatile fuel prices, airline industry analysts say....
My solution?
DO NOT FLY for ANY REASON!
Make the airlines scream until they blow the whistle on the tyranny.
More likely they will get a taxpayer-funded bailout.
Despite all the new fees, the Air Transport Association, an airline industry trade group, said that flying has actually gotten cheaper....
Yup, EVERYONE is a LIAR if they are an OFFICIAL in AmeriKa!!!!
They (and their newspapers) obviously think your head is full of s***.
Meanwhile, revenue that carriers generated from additional fees reached $10.4 billion worldwide in 2008, a jump of more than 350 percent over 2007, according to an estimate by IdeaWorks, a consulting company that advises major airlines on their ancillary revenue programs. US airlines generated about $1.76 billion this year in baggage fees alone, the company says.
It is called EXTORTION and PRICE-GOUGING -- at least, it used to be.
But it's all cheaper.
PFFT!
“Under the old approach, you could check your bag, talk to an agent, and be served a meal, whether you wanted those things or not,’’ said Jay Sorenson, IdeaWorks’ president. “The airlines are dismantling that model and allowing passengers to pay for only what they want. It’s about choice.’’
Yeah, the AIRLINES CHOOSING to f*** ya!
Sorenson said he expects airlines to expand the practice of charging for perks previously available only to top level frequent fliers....
Author William Poundstone, who writes about consumer behavior, said that because the human mind has a limited ability to deal with numerical information, a la carte pricing tends to work in the airlines’ favor....
He also said any outrage over the fees will subside, thanks to a psychological principle known as adaption level. “When the price of something goes up or a new fee is assessed, people get angry but end up quickly adjusting. After a few weeks the new price is seen as normal and natural.’’ He says this phenomenon is why despite initial protest airline fees usually stick.
Will someone please drop him from a plane without a parachute?
I'm sure Congress is all over this:
"Bill may order airline fee disclosures" by Bloomberg News | March 17, 2010
WASHINGTON — Airlines and travel agents would have to disclose all fees for checked bags, food, and seating assignments before US passengers purchase tickets under a provision that may be added to aviation-funding legislation.
Senator Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, said yesterday he is trying to add the requirement to a $34.6 billion measure, now before the Senate, funding the Federal Aviation Administration for two years.
US airlines have been increasing revenue by assessing fees, as airfares stagnated last year at 1998 levels, according to government figures. Fees for checking bags at the five largest airlines may reach $1.76 billion this year, according to a January report by IdeaWorks, an airline consulting firm in Wisconsin.
“When you buy a ticket you should have the right to know what you are paying for,’’ Menendez said on the Senate floor.
It’s too difficult for consumers to find which fees, such as charges for flying a pet or checking a bag, may be assessed at the time they make their purchase, Menendez said.
Fees give passengers “the greatest possible choice,’’ David Castelveter, spokesman for the Air Transport Association, said in response to Menendez’s plan.
The fees also ensure “that those who want the lowest fares will not be forced to subsidize passengers who want additional services,’’ Castelveter said in an e-mail.
The Washington-based industry group’s members include Delta Air Lines Inc., American Airlines, and Southwest Airlines Co.
--more--"
Plan is going nowhere from what I have read.
Oh, right, this was for the public and our "public $ervant$" look out for, well, you know....
"Airfares up 13% on summer demand" by Bloomberg News | April 6, 2010
I'm staying home; I'll never fly again.
ATLANTA — Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and other US carriers are charging 13 percent more for the peak summer season as rising demand and fewer seats restore industry pricing power, Travelocity.com data show....
Stronger summer bookings add to the evidence of airlines’ recovery from the recession-driven travel slump....
Pffft!
“There’s a pent-up demand after people trimmed vacations or cut back on spending in 2009,’’ Travelocity.com senior editor Genevieve Shaw Brown said yesterday.
A Travelocity survey found 49 percent of 2,000 customers plan more travel this year....
I'm so tired of being lied to....
"Carry-on bag fee draws senators’ ire" by Bloomberg News | April 15, 2010
WASHINGTON — US airline fees for carry-on bags were deemed “a slap,’’ “outrageous,’’ and “skyway robbery’’ as six Democratic senators moved to ban the practice after....
Carriers are seeking new revenue....
Considering the U.S. government and its insatiable appetite for new taxes makes the a-holes seem a bit hypocritical, huh?
Related: United’s parent, US Airways ponder a merger
