Eff the Airlines

US Airways cutting free pretzels to trim costs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Passengers who love those little bags of pretzels given away aboard US Airways flights had better move fast to get some more because the airline is cutting them from the menu.

Beginning in September, US Airways will pull the pretzels from domestic flights in a move expected to save more than $1 million a year. The savings is part of the airline\'s larger effort to compete with low-fare airlines, spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said Tuesday.

Last month, Northwest Airlines replaced free pretzels with 3-ounce bags of trail mix that passengers can buy for $1.

Passengers "are not driven by whether there are pretzels there or no pretzels there," said David Stempler, president of the Air Travelers Association.

Aboard transcontinental flights, US Airways last month started selling chips, candy and beef jerky for $3. Flight attendants also sell sandwiches for $5 or $7 on flights that last at least 2 ½ hours.

The airline will continue serving free juice and soda.

US Airways\' pretzel purge might not be permanent. The airline is merging with America West Airlines, which still serves pretzels or peanuts.

An America West spokesman said the airlines have not yet solved the pretzel predicament because they\'re focused on bigger issues.
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I find it hard to believe that these airlines are in such danger of becoming bankrupt. I mean, flights are now $300-400 for round trips within the United States.

I have been to airports several times since 9/11 and it does not seem like there is a huge drop in people who are flying, yet almost every major airline company reported a loss last year.

And who gets the shaft? Who gets the freaking pillows and PRETZELS taken away? The paying customers.

We are in need of an airline re-organization.

From now on I\'m flying Hooters Air
http://www.hootersair.com/

Why are they losing money?  One major factor is rising fuel costs.  BTW - One does not fly an airplane for pretzels.

It\'s simply because people are going with the cheapy airlines (Southwest, JetBlue, Independance Air) so they are trimming costs.

Correct me if I\'m wrong but a $300-$400 RT ticket is out of reach with US Air, AA, and Delta.

[clips]

Originally posted by GigaShadow
Why are they losing money?  One major factor is rising fuel costs.  BTW - One does not fly an airplane for pretzels.

i see what you\'re sayin\'...but it seems almost like that situation with the ny MTA. they are always talkin about how they are in the red every year, yet millions of new yorkers ride the train and bus EVERYDAY, 24 hrs a day 365 days a year. how can you be in the red when you have constant cash flow like that? nevermind in between of all of that they raise the fares as well...

[GmanJoe]

they also said that coz Americans are getting fatter, the burden of flying our fat asses is costing them more fuel. I heard that on the news about a year ago.

[clips]

Originally posted by GmanJoe
they also said that coz Americans are getting fatter, the burden of flying our fat asses is costing them more fuel. I heard that on the news about a year ago.

i think i heard a story a few years back about how an airliner wanted to charge some over weight person for 2 seats on their plane,...either that or they were tryin to make them catch another flight because of their weight...

Originally posted by clips
i see what you\'re sayin\'...but it seems almost like that situation with the ny MTA. they are always talkin about how they are in the red every year, yet millions of new yorkers ride the train and bus EVERYDAY, 24 hrs a day 365 days a year. how can you be in the red when you have constant cash flow like that? nevermind in between of all of that they raise the fares as well...

Just means operating costs are higher than revenue.  All the electricity, gas, constant maintenance, human operators add up.  And isn\'t the subway fare some crazy low price like $1.35 to ride anywhere in New York?  In DC it depends how far you go, though my usual fare is over $2.

I\'d still like to know some concrete numbers on how much they make vs. how much they spend every month.  Would be interesting to find out.

Originally posted by clips
i see what you\'re sayin\'...but it seems almost like that situation with the ny MTA. they are always talkin about how they are in the red every year, yet millions of new yorkers ride the train and bus EVERYDAY, 24 hrs a day 365 days a year. how can you be in the red when you have constant cash flow like that? nevermind in between of all of that they raise the fares as well...

Transit rarely ever comes out into the black.  As part of my job, I have to budget for transit and I can tell you they never bring in enough money to come out of the red.  Without Federal assistance mass transit in the US would be dead.  The reasons for this are very simple:

1.  As I said before rising fuel costs.  Everytime the cost of oil goes up significantly, transit agencies must raise their rates to cover this unforseen event as there is no way to budget for this.

2.  Maintenance on all of the equipment - buses, subway cars, subway infrastructure, etc.  You would be surprised at the amount of money that goes into keeping these things safe and running.

3.  Wages for all the employees that work for the transit system.  These people are just like you and me and want regular raises as well.

Most of the money for transit comes from the FHWA, but local governments are responsible for a 20 percent match.  Here we don\'t draw all the funds we are eligible for because the local governments would never pay that 20 percent match.

Think of the transit systems in the US as the US Postal Service.  They don\'t make money, yet they are forced to raise prices due to other factors.

EDIT:  Oh and lastly - we don\'t have a new transportation bill.  Congress hasn\'t passed a new one in years and they keep extending the old one so we are basically running on a budget that is almost 6 years old.

I do a lot of air travel for work, and I never expect to be served anything on flights anymore.  I don\'t even accept the free soft drinks or water because it\'s easier and less messy to bring a 20oz bottle with you.  I usually bring food with me, but I will NOT bring fast food from the airport terminal.  Not just because I don\'t eat that shit, but because I don\'t want to annoy the other passengers.  I hate it when some dunderhead brings a huge McDonalds meal on a airplane.  That crap stinks up everything.

Funny lil story:

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/0,,SB112061365613778106,00.html?mod=todays_free_feature

Originally posted by GigaShadow
BTW - One does not fly an airplane for pretzels.

I know, I know, but its the principle of the thing. Maybe the reason these smaller airlines are snatching up the customers are because they actually treat them respectably.

Flying can be a pain in the ass. Delays, connecting flights, crying babies -- so at least offer some comforts. A pack of pretzels may not be much, but with the recent removal of free inflight meals, pillows, and who knows what\'s next (oxygen masks?) I feel like I\'m being treated less as a paying customer and more like a packed sardine.

Yet another example of corporations becoming too focused on the money they are (or aren\'t) making and losing touch with who makes that money for them in the first place.

Well the airlines aren\'t there for the free service of flying you.  Just like everything else they have to make money.  Things have changed and cutting cost had to happen.  I\'d rather them cut amenities than security.