"But AMTRAK charges for all beverages" is a lame excuse

[JS]

If the fact that AMTRAK charges for all beverages is justification for the insanity of charging $2 for a Coke on a plane, then why does US still have free beverages, including alcohol, on the Shuttle? That is the only route where there is any competition with the train. US doesn't fly Chicago-Detroit or Los Angeles-San Diego.

Furthermore, AMTRAK doesn't strap you into a 17" by 31" seat for upwards of an hour, charge you $800 for a last-minute purchase on a 300 mile trip, or shove advertising down your throat the entire trip.

I can get a free cup of coffee and cookies and popcorn at my bank, even if I'm only making a deposit or withdrawal from my no-fees free checking account! Wow they must be morons for giving me a beverage and a snack on a zero-profit transaction!

The only airlines that charge for all beverages are Spirit and Allegiant, and if US wants to join them, they will have to upgrade the cabin interior and lower the fares. Allegiant is all-coach, and an upgrade on Spirit is not that much money ($40 one way the last time I flew them, which I glady paid). It's a much different product than a legacy carrier.

 

[PHL]

If they want to start comparing Amtrak to US then they should serve a hot meal in First class from PHL-PIT because that's what you get on the Acela in First class between any two cities, including a short trip like PHL-NY.

 

[BuffaloJoe]

If they want to start comparing Amtrak to US then they should serve a hot meal in First class from PHL-PIT because that's what you get on the Acela in First class between any two cities, including a short trip like PHL-NY.

Good luck getting over the Mississippi River! You might a bit wet.

 

[N965VJ]

<SNIP> I can get a free cup of coffee and cookies and popcorn at my bank, even if I'm only making a deposit or withdrawal from my no-fees free checking account! Wow they must be morons for giving me a beverage and a snack on a zero-profit transaction!

How ‘bout that?

A few weeks ago I was enjoying some complimentary coffee by the popcorn machine at the Ford dealer while I was having the rotors turned on my pickup. Oh, and guess what? Ford has new rewards program for vehicle maintenance.

And I still have yet to see a beverage as a line item on the invoice from my accounting firm, even though my CPA’s assistant always offers me something to drink when I’m there for a meeting.

 

[USFlyer]

The comparison is very appropriate. If you don't want to see how, there's little chance any further posts will change your mind.

 

[sharktooth]

The comparison is very appropriate. If you don't want to see how, there's little chance any further posts will change your mind.

Would you mind laying out the reasons how you think comparing Amtrak with US is appropriate when it comes to paying for beverages?

I mean, is the Amtrak passenger refused boarding with liquids on their person? Must a potential Amtrak passenger arrive at least one hour prior to departure? Is a typical Amtrak passenger subjected to extremely dry air for five or more hours?

Just curious.

 

[JS]

The comparison is very appropriate. If you don't want to see how, there's little chance any further posts will change your mind.

I would love to see how the comparison is appropriate. I'm all ears.

 

[USFlyer]

I mean, is the Amtrak passenger refused boarding with liquids on their person? Must a potential Amtrak passenger arrive at least one hour prior to departure? Is a typical Amtrak passenger subjected to extremely dry air for five or more hours?

Have you flown or taken a train recently? These questions don't even make sense.

 

[JS]

I would love to see how the comparison is appropriate. I'm all ears.

still waiting for the rationale...

 

[FlyUs]

still waiting for the rationale...

Both are transportation companies with responsibilites to provide safe travel from point A to B.. Both offer beverages and snacks for sale. Fuel is $140.00 a barrel and there are no more freebies. Sorry but that's the reality here. Have a great flight!!

 

[US1YFARE]

Fuel is $140.00 a barrel and there are no more freebies.

$1000 between PHL and BOS is not a freebie.

$800 to CLE is not a freebie.

 

[FlyUs]

$1000 between PHL and BOS is not a freebie.

$800 to CLE is not a freebie.

Not all pay that price.. unfortunately

 

[sharktooth]

Have you flown or taken a train recently? These questions don't even make sense.

I fly a lot. I ask the questions because my train experience is rather limited (approaching zero).

Are you allowed to bring whatever food/beverage you wish onto a train?

Is there some guidance to showing up at the train station well before departure time, intruding on one's time to properly feed and water oneself and traveling companions?

Are you delayed, on arrival, waiting to pick up checked? baggage?

Is there some train travel that involves, say, three hours or more cruising through air that is extremely dry, that might require rehydration at regular intervals?

Now, the question is, have you flown in a big jet, at all?

 

[BuffaloJoe]

I fly a lot. I ask the questions because my train experience is rather limited (approaching zero).

Are you allowed to bring whatever food/beverage you wish onto a train? YES

Is there some guidance to showing up at the train station well before departure time, intruding on one's time to properly feed and water oneself and traveling companions? DEPENDS WHAT STATION BUT MOST HAVE SHOPS

Are you delayed, on arrival, waiting to pick up checked? baggage? YOU CAN NOT CHECK BAGS IN THE NORTHEAST, WASHINGTON AND WEST YOU CAN CHECK AT ANY STATION

Is there some train travel that involves, say, three hours or more cruising through air that is extremely dry, that might require rehydration at regular intervals? TRAINS OF DISTANCE AND TIME HAVE RESTERAUNT CAR AND A SNACK CAR

Now, the question is, have you flown in a big jet, at all? I have to admit, I have not been on the A-380 Yet, but I did fly on a 747,777,767, A330, A340, B757,B737,B727,B707,DC8, DC9,DC10,MD11, L10. So since I was not on the A380, Not yet available. Yes I have been on a Big jet. Also been on a C-141 and C-5.

 

[Bear96]

still waiting for the rationale...

You are trying to provoke a silly and ultimately meaningless argument.

If it is so important to you to get a free beverage when you travel, exercise your choice as a consumer in our market economy and fly one of the many airlines which offer that service.

Eventually so many people will do the same that LCC's bottom line will be impacted relative to its peers and LCC will reinstate free beverages, right? That will have a much bigger impact than trying to "convince" front-line airline employees on an internet message board that some corporate decision into which they had no input is a poor one.