"Airlines get more creative with fees; Even shoe fittings help boost revenue" by Katie Johnston Chase, Globe Staff / March 25, 2011
Beleaguered airlines are trying to generate revenue wherever they can.
Oh, the poor, poor airlines.
As they struggle with fuel prices that have soared 32 percent since the beginning of this year, US carriers are raising fees and rolling out new services in an effort to squeeze more money out of passengers, from $5 to lock in fares to $125 for a personal escort from the curb to the gate.
Yeah, CONSUMERS are NOT BELEAGUERED according to the CORPORATE MEDIA!
Hey, that's all that is left of their readership because even I am no longer reading them.
And BLAME Bernanke and his printing press for the rise in oil prices; that's what happens when you pump out $14 trillion to cover Wall Street's
Last year, airlines around the world collected about $18 billion from fees for things such as checked baggage and early boarding, according to an estimate by airline consulting firm IdeaWorks.
Oh, the poor, poor airlines!
In five years, airlines expect that 15 percent of their revenue will come from fees for optional services — double the amount it is now — according to Forrester Research Inc., based in Cambridge.
Just f***ing get me there in one piece!
“Airlines aren’t just transportation companies anymore, they want to be retail merchandisers, like Wal-Mart, offering a $1 12-pack of Coke at the back of the store — hoping you’ll buy some Tupperware along the way,’’ said Rick Seaney, president of FareCompare.com. “So expect to see more airline fees and discounts on these fees, like half off Wi-Fi on Thursdays when the moon is full.’’
Yeah, put out a fee and then give a discount and say you are saving money.
What a frikkin' racket!
The new focus comes as the industry reels from recent challenges. This winter, several major storms swept across the United States, costing the airlines hundreds of millions of dollars from cancellations.
As I recall, we all had to suffer under the weather.
Then, unrest in the Middle East sent oil prices above $100 a barrel, which pushed up jet fuel costs.
Yeah, whatever the reason it is NEVER the FED, Wall Street, or Washington!
And I'm sure the cruise missiles into Libya calmed things down.
Now, the disaster in Japan is threatening traffic to the region at a time when US airlines are focusing more on international flights.
Yeah, FLYING THROUGH a RADIATION CLOUD would be a bit of a bummer, 'eh?
To compensate for rising costs, airlines have pushed through seven fare increases since the beginning of the year....
And here it is not even April yet.
--more--"
Who gives a flying f*** about the rest?
I used to view flying as a fun event; however, that was long, long, long ago.
Related: Americans Feeling the Touch of Fascism When Flying
Yeah, that is what it is now -- if they are not giving you cancer with their scanner.
And they are making you pay for the pleasure? I'd rather flap my arms.
