Whoopee! Airline goes back to free soda, coffee on flights
It took a recession to do it, but US Airways is announcing today that it’s reversing its stance — you’ll be able to get a cup of coffee, a glass of juice or some soda on their flights for free.
The airline couches the announcement by saying the soda surcharge is just distracting from their improved on-time performance and such. And the airline acknowledges that being the ONLY carrier charging folks for a non-alcoholic drink could cause some issues.
This traveler gulps his water before going through security.
The face of flying has changed dramatically since 9/11. We can’t pack liquids that are too big, we can’t take our Big Gulp past security, we have to take off our shoes and jackets. Add in that we now have to pay for checked baggage, a blanket, a pillow, a snack, and the equation comes out to some crabby travelers.
But will a free cup of coffee or soda change anything? If I need to fly somewhere, I need to get there. I might not like the feeling of being nickled and dimed to death, but some things you just endure. Or do you? Do these kinds of charges, changes and about-faces by airlines have any impact on your travel plans?
I’m not a frequent flyer, so I probably wouldn’t even think about extra fees if I did travel. First and foremost, I want to know if I can get a direct flight, reasonably priced. I would want to know the ticket price. If I needed to take luggage, I would want to know checked luggage fees. Beyond that, I wouldn’t bother checking into all the different fees I might get stuck with.
Bottom line is, out of STL, we don’t have many choices when it comes to choosing our carrier to get where we need to go. If you have to get there, you’re going to get on the flight that gets you there.
with this new administration in charge….
You couldn’t get me near an airport, much less fly.
Typically I fly Southwest, so I don’t have to deal with such nonsense. If I must fly on some other airline, I just don’t bother with things that will cost me extra. Since my feeling is that flying should be like riding the bus, I’m not interested in anything besides getting to my destination.
What does that even mean?
You should be charged the lowest price for airfare only. If you need something to eat or drink you should be prepared to pay for it. If you were traveling in your car you would stop and eat or drink and pay for it. What makes flying any different? Why should I pay more airfare to cover the cost of someone drinking when I’m not? Flying is an alternative means of transportation not a vacation in itself. Pay for your own drinks and food and let other enjoy lower fares.
Tom, when I travel by train or by car, I don’t have limits on my liquids, and during those methods of travel, I have the option to stop and get myself a drink if necessary. When I fly, I can’t bring liquids through security more than 3 ounces, and most of the time, I can’t buy what I want past security (Have you ever tried to find kid appropriate drinks, i.e. juice, milk, past security? Nigh impossible).
Since we cannot bring in our own beverage and must pay for it in terminal or on plane … then something needs to be done about price gouging in the airport or plane. $4+ for a bottle of water in the terminal is ridiculous. They do it because they can … say that its because of their overhead. Why should the airlines and airports be any different than gas stations that have tried gouging us? I do pack sandwiches, but if there are long delays (and since all the main hubs are in overcrowded cities in weather proned areas), then you’re stuck.
stlkat, how do you get those explosive baloney sandwiches past security?
If “this administration” lets me keep my freekin shoes on as I pass through airport security, it will have done more to earn my respect than anything the previous administration did.
Let’s keep our eyes on the big picture. And it ain’t soda.
First of all, Homeland Security is a major farce. I was against it back when it was being formed after 9/11, as I believe it’s the FBI and CIA’s job to find out about terrorist attacks from afar. I know that it’s difficult to say how many terrorist attacks may have been avoided due to this, but it is much easier to quantify what it has cost the taxpayer. Very long waits, an extremely bureaucratic process, major inconveniences, higher airport security fees, less air travel everything else being equal, and delayed flights.
Homeland Security over the past 5 or 6 years has cost us plenty and there’s no guarantee it could stop another terrorist attack. I’d rather have the old airport security systems and have an air marshal on board flights.