Choice seating

[PhxMama]

He was my favorite Meteorologist on Channel 6, Jim O'Brien. It really was ashamed he died the way he did, but did so doing something he loved so much.

Was this the Jim OBrien that died sky diving? If so, I was a big fan and in college when he died, it was the first time I REALLY felt bad about the passing of a stranger. My husband used to tell jokes about it and I would get so mad. Sorry, back to the topic at hand. Mama

 

[aredeeyou22]

What a joke:

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_updat...isle_seats.html

Right. It's only a joke when US Air does it. Nobody has said anything about the fact that NW has been doing this for some time. And, when all the legacies follow suit next week, in a desperate attempt to increase revenue to cover soaring fuel costs, no one will say anything then, either.

Get real. Oil is at $114.

 

[aredeeyou22]

BTW the furor over on FlyerTalk when NWA made the move was monumental and was front page for months. So let's be a bit accurate shall we?

So why is it being rehashed here when US does it? It is what it is, a revenue generator. Plain and simple.

 

[hp_fa]

Since when did Ryanair move to the western side of the Atlantic?

Seriously, let's just get the bin advertisements, the lav advetisements and the 50 cent toilet door opener installed now and get it over with.

 

[aredeeyou22]

Since when did Ryanair move to the western side of the Atlantic?

Seriously, let's just get the bin advertisements, the lav advetisements and the 50 cent toilet door opener installed now and get it over with.

Amen. If the majority of flyers want the cheap transport in light of record fuel prices, I'm all for creating revenue to make up for that in any way, except from my pocket for a 4th time in as many years. Paint the planes, charge for the pooper, whatever you need to do.

Thank you.

 

[N965VJ]

Bravo! Concentrating on non-core revenue and hoping for a revolving door of Kettles, a recipe for success!

 

[Travelpro72]

I don't think this should be a bid deal for ANY of our FF's or what's left of them. This "choice" seating is aimed at the average Joe flier. It's not something that will affect a DM member choosing a seat. I believe our FF's STILL get first dibs on those correct? If the traveling public (not our business travelers) want a window or an aisle and are paying HISTORICALLY low fares considering the price of fuel they will PAY. I don't see anything wrong with that.

 

[aredeeyou22]

Bravo! Concentrating on non-core revenue and hoping for a revolving door of Kettles, a recipe for success!

Please. I never said I agreed with Tempe's mindset of "abandon the business traveler", I was merely stating that people who want the lower fares (Kettles, if you will), should have to pay for extras. Looking at the price of oil, do you not agree?

 

[SS255]

I don't see anything wrong with selling value-added seats at a modest premium. The pricing will be key in this endeavor. There are only 2 situations where I can foresee any perceived value with these seats:

1) Late booking; Only middle (or no) seats available. Customer wants to secure an aisle or window seat which would otherwise not be accessible.

2) Customer has a tight connection, and wants to improve chances of not misconnecting.

With no added legroom to add to the equation, these seats should only be sold for a maximum of $15 per segment. Otherwise, I cannot see anybody forking over any money for this.

UA sells E+ (which offers 4 more inches of legroom AND seats at the front of the Y section) for about $44 per segment on 4-hour flights.

 

[FLYLOW22]

Oh well... most of the flights are flown by Express anyway... shouldn't affect 80% of the passengers.

 

[N965VJ]

<SNIP> Looking at the price of oil, do you not agree?

US doesn’t have fuel surcharges?

 

[aredeeyou22]

US doesn’t have fuel surcharges?

Are airline tickets throughout the industry selling at a price that covers the cost of operation, fuel surcharges or not? I guess US will be the only airline to post a Q1 loss then?

 

[aredeeyou22]

well with the addition of the "Choice" seating charge, one could argue that US Airways has instead implemented a "FOOL Surcharge" :angry:

Fool, fuel, whatever pays the bills!

 

[AP Tech]

Still like the idea of bring back the old style pay toilets!!!! Make them so they only accept $1 bills and you would be in business! Make sure the F/A's feed everyone onboard full of drinks and soda, I'm sure the money made from the pay toiolets will more than offset the cost of the additional soda!!

 

[BeenThereDoneThat]

Also the prices are reasonable. I have always wondered why we don't charge for better seats like at a concert or sporting event.

The public that purchases coach seats are getting the wrong end of the stick.
First, there is no value given for your money. The seats are already there and that isn't going to change---ever!
Second, unless the plane is configured with massage seats, they aren't any better than first class.
What I'd like to see: All passengers request the middle seat. If they can't fulfill your request, they have to put you somewhere, right? It would be in an isle or window seat without a charge because you didn't request that seat. That, or a lot of people sitting in the middle seat would be traveling alone. Gotta love that!

Just raise the stupid airfare for every ticket and get it over with.