Swinging into summer

[hp_fa]

I'd be thrilled, because the market would finally rule airline pricing. I buy one (ticket) off a guy who can't make the next flight.

You keep forgetting and/or dismissing the security aspect. I can't and won't discuss it further, but think the whole thing through about customers re-selling tickets on an open and uncontrolled market and think what problems might be caused by it.

Also, remember that non-refundable tickets come with a discount attached to them from the normal refundable fare. You, as a customer, choose to buy the discounted fare and agree to the fare rules that apply to that purchase. If you don't like the rules that apply to a non-refundable fare, then don't buy it. But don't blame the industry for selling fares with rules that you don't want to follow.

 

[ClueByFour]

You keep forgetting and/or dismissing the security aspect. I can't and won't discuss it further, but think the whole thing through about customers re-selling tickets on an open and uncontrolled market and think what problems might be caused by it.

So what? Either the airline or the TSA is still going to check the ID of those that fly.

It's not a security problem (in the sense that any potential terrorist with a 10th grade education can already beat the "revenue protection" system in place today). It is purely, soley, and only a revenue protection scam. Always has been, and always will be (the security aspect just allows the airlines to pitch it to the lemmings in this country).

Also, remember that non-refundable tickets come with a discount attached to them from the normal refundable fare. You, as a customer, choose to buy the discounted fare and agree to the fare rules that apply to that purchase. If you don't like the rules that apply to a non-refundable fare, then don't buy it. But don't blame the industry for selling fares with rules that you don't want to follow.

And if you could resell airline tickets, the whole "refundable/non-refundable" model and the way tickets are discounted would fundamentally change. Which is why the airlines are afraid of it--it would torpedo yield management.

Allow me to repeat: no other major industry that sells a functionally perishable product operates this way. Not suprisingly, very few (if any) major industries have lost more collective money than they've made like the airline industry has.

 

[ItsNotThatSerious]

So what? Either the airline or the TSA is still going to check the ID of those that fly.

It's not a security problem (in the sense that any potential terrorist with a 10th grade education can already beat the "revenue protection" system in place today). It is purely, soley, and only a revenue protection scam. Always has been, and always will be (the security aspect just allows the airlines to pitch it to the lemmings in this country).
And if you could resell airline tickets, the whole "refundable/non-refundable" model and the way tickets are discounted would fundamentally change. Which is why the airlines are afraid of it--it would torpedo yield management.

Allow me to repeat: no other major industry that sells a functionally perishable product operates this way. Not suprisingly, very few (if any) major industries have lost more collective money than they've made like the airline industry has.

Geez, if I where you, I'd just take the corporate jets!!!

 

[SKY HIGH]

I'd be thrilled, because the market would finally rule airline pricing. I buy one (ticket) off a guy who can't make the next flight.

sky high states: I'd like to see that thrilled LOOK, when you're stuck in bumper to bumper traffic trying to make your flight. Or a long security line. You overslept. You're child got sick while you're on the way out the door. Sudden death in the family. etc. etc.
Yeahhh, try SELLING that ticket now.
I'd like to see that thrilled LOOK, when you make it to the gate 5 minutes too late. And the Agent says, "Our ticket POLICY is......your ticket is now WORTHLESS. We have another flight in 2 hours.
Our WALK UP FARE is $800.00. Will that be CASH OR CREDIT?
Is that the "customer service" you want? Like you said, be careful what you wish for.

 

[FWAAA]

Most of the Fortune 250 either own and operate or lease fractionals. We do both.

That said, I've moved around $50k/year of revenue away from US in the past 3 years, so in a sense, I do vote with my feet and dollar.

And yet in the face of such high-yield customer behavior, otherwise rational people continue to insist that our nation still needs six full service airlines (all offering F and expensive seats) serving much of our country.

There may still be enough high-yield business traffic to profitably sustain two or three full service legacy airlines, but as more and more high-yield customers do what you and your colleagues have done - move money into fractionals and corporate aircraft and away from the legacies - the six legacies offering F simply don't have enough high-yield business to sustain themselves.

This industry is long overdue for some significant consolidation. But instead, employees continue to be beaten for paycuts (DL pilots apparently ratified their latest givebacks) and the legacies continue to cheapen their expensive product with nickel and dime cuts.

 

[wench]

I 'm not the one POSTiNG all the employees perks, well very few of them.
I peruse and peruse-when a topic captures my attention, then I will comment or not on it..Mostly Im on board reading..
Now Ya happy?

Company business should be just that.

 

[Art at ISP]

Sky High!

Well said indeed!

They tHINK AND DEMAND THEY CAN suck every last blood out of the airline.

1) No Not afraid of anything..in response of the posted ?.

2) Personal 'airline' business is NONE OF THE PUBLIC'S BUSINESS..
3) Ex: First ups-NO ONES BUSINESS IF THE AGTS RECEIVE EXTRA, WE'VE LOST AND LOST-SO DONT GIVE ME THIS HOLIER THEN THOU CRAP..
this has been my profession for the last 23 yrs. I earn EVerythinG I make.

I treat each one with dignity and RESPECT.
4) the occassional amateur traveler who hasent a clue.

5) I go out of my way to assist them.

6) If you're looking to scam the airline, I pick up on it- I had a scammer yrs ago, he GOT AWAY WIth nothing.
7) Consumer Affairs get's my copy tipped to them long before your letter of complaint does.
8) So if you think you're getting me over a barrel, think again!

9) have a wonderful summer flying on the cramped RJ's!

10) Good day!

Golden 1,

Why not come back and have a conversation with us AFTER you blow that chip off your shoulder? Most of your objections are aimed at itinerant once a year travelers who expect everything for nothing, and a handful of poorly mannered frequent fliers who have chips on their shoulders almost as big as yours.

For the record, my associates at FFOCUS and I have done nothing but supported all employee groups at US over the past few years (with the exception of old management), and we have contributed significantly toward keeping the doors open long enough for there to be a company to merge. We ALWAYS acknowledge your sacrifices and contributions and credit you and your colleagues as being the reason most of us stayed.

MOST frequent fliers, myself included, NEVER supported the artificially low fares, nor do I always take the lowest fare. If you read me on a regular basis, I advocate FAIR fares--those which provide value to the customer while at the same time allow the company to at least cover the costs of carriage. I have NEVER taken a frustration or flight interruption issue out on a front line employee, as I know better (as do MOST frequent fliers).

The issue is that the new US is NOT a true LCC, by a long shot. They continue to devalue the product as well as the DM program, but have NOT lowered fares in the East. Remember--we want FAIR fares, not bargain basement.

Regarding the First Ups, there is no problem with that IF it is run according to COMPANY POLICY, which is that Preferred members on a gate standby list get the upgrade BEFORE first ups are offered. The issue is neither the First Up program itself or the fact that they chose to compensate you for that. The issue is skirting the rules for a couple of bucks. The tens of thousands of dollars my colleagues and I spend EVERY YEAR on US make us eligible for some perks, which basically cost the airline next to nothing. When a CP who flies 5 or more times a week sees Ma and Pa Kettle whipping out that credit card for an upgrade on First Up while he is on the list and has to fly in the back just adds insult to injury, and is NOT the intent of the program. MOST agents are following procedure--but those that aren't are risking alot more than the $5 commission. Again--no issue with the program as long as rules are followed--and when they are not, sorry, all bets are off.

I am not going to go sparring one for one with you, but if you would like to continue this discourse please feel free to PM me at any time. I think you know me to be level headed, fair, and a LOYAL US Airways customer, but I have to say for the first time in years, things are beginning to try my patience.

I wish you and your colleagues well and thank you for all you have done for us, your loyal preferred customers, but as I am trying to be fair to you, be fair to us as well.

And by the way, I will and have gladly intervened on behalf of agents and flight attendants who are being abused by the Ma and Pa Kettle travelers mentioned above.

My best to you all........

 

[Singleflyer]

Clue,

I can think of many high ticket items that cannot be resold or transferred after purchase, its not just airlines.

Extended warraties on many items (especially cars) do not transfer when the item is sold.

My ski sean pass. This year after I purchased the seasons pass, plans changed and I knew I would not receive my monies worth this year. But when I purchased the seasons pass I knew it was non tranferrable. To make it worse the snow was so bad this year I skiied even less, and the mtn did not offer a refund because of uncoropative weather this year, or even give me a free drink at the bar. When you purchase a discounted ticket there are restrictions, that is why 98% of my tickets are full fare because my travel plans always change. SO if you need to have flexible travel plans purchase a refundable ticket.

As a side note I do agree with you, the positive ID requirement has as much to do with revenue as it does with security.

Secondly I think you are giving TSA too much credit when you use the 10th grader example. My 3 year old son constantly gets through a TSA approved security process. Its for ferry boats, but it shows the Agency is more concerned about apperience than substance.

 

[wench]

Art,
Sorry if you feel I have a chip..Not..Life is too short.
I do have a life away from the corporation, believe it or not.
Just stating the facts sir..

I speak the truth, if no one can handle or accept it, say la vie'.
Summer Travel has begun...

 

[hula-flyguy]

Corporate Fleet....lmao

How many people do you know that have a corp jet at their disposal fly commercial?

Clue is living in a fantasy world....the internet makes that easy.

As for suggesting that customers fly on somebody else, I dont think that is a very good idea. We're not in business to turn customers away just because they make assinine obsurd suggestion/comments on a message board.

 

[FWAAA]

Corporate Fleet....lmao

How many people do you know that have a corp jet at their disposal fly commercial?

Clue is living in a fantasy world....the internet makes that easy.

As for suggesting that customers fly on somebody else, I dont think that is a very good idea. We're not in business to turn customers away just because they make assinine obsurd suggestion/comments on a message board.

You're entitled to your opinion, no matter how wrong it might be.

Who do you think flies all those KingAirs? Yep, small to medium companies. All over the country, private turboprops and fanjets move people who would otherwise buy expensive tickets on your airline. Their refusal to do so (and instead spend the money on their own airplanes) is one big factor in the multiple bankruptcies among legacies.

Who do you think provides the fractionals with all their revenue? All sorts of companies, big and small. Even Clue's employer.

Not everyone has a corporate jet at their disposal, but their existenc (and the success of the fractionals) means legacies have fewer and fewer big-spenders. And that's a big reason for the back to back bankruptcies at US.

 

[SoftLanding]

This industry is long overdue for some significant consolidation.

FWAAA,


someone has to start. Who has the $$$?

AMR has a lot of cash, likewise CAL, also these are very well run airlines.

Southwest surely could get rid of capacity, by buying competition. And they have the financial strength to buy just about anything

US Airways has enough on it's plate, likewise UAL, but these two would most likely also be players...

Still too many seats out there, I agree, and no end in sight...Softer economy, softer oil prices, and this will only help the weaker legacy carriers...

SoftLanding

 

[hula-flyguy]

what are you talking about?

 

[ClueByFour]

Corporate Fleet....lmao

How many people do you know that have a corp jet at their disposal fly commercial

"At one's disposal" is a price and convience driven thing. I get to share 7 jets (5 lears and 2 G-IV) with a pool of a couple of hundred other executives and professionals.

But, when you have to be there, or take multiple people or take equipment and luggage, it's a no brainer.

Clue is living in a fantasy world....the internet makes that easy.

Sure. Just an FYI, without what my firm makes, your firm's primary business (flying airplanes) does not happen.

Is this the best you have (attacking me) or do you actually have something of substance to add to the debate? I hate to point out your complete lack of message or coherent point, but that's like clubbing a baby seal and I'd feel bad in the morning.

As for suggesting that customers fly on somebody else, I dont think that is a very good idea. We're not in business to turn customers away just because they make assinine obsurd suggestion/comments on a message board.

It would be much, much more straitforward will all the other reasons CCY and now Tempe have come up with to drive customers away.

 

[Revolutions]

Sorry guys. Clue is racking up all the points here.