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December 28, 2004 12:29 AM
Broken: Airline travel
The New York Times reports that Triple Woes Hold Up Holiday Air Travelers.
Yesterday, the travel plans of 30,000 passengers in 119 cities were disrupted when Comair, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, canceled all of its 1,100 flights after its computer system crashed. ... [US Airways] canceled 65 flights on Thursday, 176 on Friday and 143 yesterday.
And my own experience with AirTran: a four-hour delay on Dec. 23, and a six-hour delay on Dec. 26. Most other airlines were running on time both days, or with delays of an hour or at most two hours. AirTran never took responsibility for its gross delays, and what's worse, announced the delays bit by bit, so that we were guaranteed to be stuck at the airport, instead of waiting out the delay at home.
Maurs wrote:
"You know, some day a point is going to be reached when the american public get so fed up with all this airline bumbling that it's all going to get regulated into being a federal department."
And make it 10 times worse? Are you crazy?
If you're even considering that idea, go see "The Aviator." We certainly don't need that kind of regulation.
"...it's all going to get regulated into being a federal department."
We already tried that in Canada. Didn't work.
Huh? You might be too young to remember... but the airlines WERE federaly regulated. Airfares were sky high but it was an organized and civil way to travel. People dressed up to fly, airlines gave you a choice of edible meal selections (even in coach) and even the rich and celebrities traveled commercial (now they all fly in private jets). Flight crews made great money back then- and treated you like gold. What we have now is what people wanted at the time- cheap fares with no frills- basically greyhounds with wings. A classy way to travel is now long gone. And, if you think it's bad now, wait until cell phones are allowed in-flight!
The United States Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 is still within living memory for some of us, and yes, most would agree that deregulation was a success. Read more at http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/AirlineDeregulation.html
In re Bob Sifniades's comment:
Of course, Alfred Kahn would have to say that it was a "success" given that, if memory serves, he was the architect of said deregulation.
Those of use who flew regularly before deregulation and afterwards know the difference.
Seat pitch has become absurd, to the point on painful discomfort for anyone over six feet tall, service is virtually nonexistent, in-flight security is still crappy, even after 9/11, and safety is an afterthought. Anything that doesn't contribute to the bottom line is a "frill".
Not to put too fine a point on it, but flying sucks.
=== quote ===
Those of use who flew regularly before deregulation and afterwards know the difference.
Seat pitch has become absurd, to the point on painful discomfort for anyone over six feet tall, service is virtually nonexistent, in-flight security is still crappy, even after 9/11, and safety is an afterthought. Anything that doesn't contribute to the bottom line is a "frill".
=== end quote ===
I was born too late to remember pre-deregulation flying, but if I understand it, fares were high but service was comfortable. Now with deregulation everyone wants cheap flights and are getting cheap service (and complaining).
That said, if you long for the days of regulated airlines, could you just pay first-class and get the service / legroom you need? My intuition tells me that the cost is probably similar to regulated prices, adjusted for inflation.
Jon:
Paying first-class might get me better food (or food at all, for that matter) and free booze but will not give me improved in-flight security (such as reinforced cockpit doors and secure locks, though it probably will get me seated next to a Sky Marshal, for what that's worth) and the same penny-pinching maintenence is applied to the entire aircraft, not just the economy class section.
I do fly American when I can because of the seat pitch. Unfortunately, that's not always possible. I do avoid Southworst whenever possible. They even managed to screw up the exit row seating (where there's usually a bit of extra leg room) by placing the seats face-to-face so that you have to weave your legs in between some other poor slobs so as to avoid kicking one another in the shins.
I'm over six feet tall and frankly a bit claustrophobic. I got stuck in a center seat for a flight on USAir a few weeks ago and almost had to get off the plane. If a kind passenger with an aisle seat hadn't offered to exchange seats with me I'm not sure if I would have stayed on the flight. It was that bad.
I just drive. It's way more fun and comfortable, and it forces me to make appropriate time for a trip (no last minute flights to vegas).
load em up ship em out that's whats its like today I do miss the higher fare with its higher service. you can't get 1st class when you fly in country only on international flights in canada, am i right or misinform
There are more airlines than one If you feel cheated fly first class thats what it's for. I flew first class to Hawaii twice and loved it.
Deragulation has been a disaster.
I live in a small town and in the last year my weekly flight DOUBLED, while 3 airlines pulled out.
Here's what I get from deregulation: :Less choice.
How can that be deemed a success?
I was flying to Australia when Delta went out. Luckily I was flying American, but the line for delayed flights was...long. I asked a ladie what was going on. Apperantly a rumor that the MANY MANY MANY pilots just COULDNT get to the airport that day was floating around to check in desks. If your computer crashes, and its windows, then you only have your self to blame. Get a mac or linux or something useful. Uncle Bill was showing his new Windows 98 when he got the blue screen on death (Blue Screen that comes up when microsoft crashes) in the middle of the presentation. Delta should learn to take responsibility for themselves even if there gonna lose $1000000.
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DATE: 12/28/2004 08:15:12 PM
A section of Gregg Easterbrook's TMQ on http://www.nfl.com/news/story/8043551 touches on this topic. Basically American increased pitch, Southwest lowered fares. Customers chose Southwest.
"Three years ago, American Airlines made a big public commitment to legroom in coach. American planes were refitted for 33 to 35 inches of "pitch" in coach seats, and unless you are one of Santa's elves, those extra inches matter. How has the market responded? Travelers have flocked to Southwest, the airline with the lowest fares and least distance between seats; American is now quietly crow-barring more rows of seats into economy. Traveling public, you have only yourselves to blame."
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You know, some day a point is going to be reached when the american public get so fed up with all this airline bumbling that it's all going to get regulated into being a federal department.
Posted by: Maurs at December 28, 2004 03:17 AM