Another reason to hate the Airlines

I know that the price of oil is hurting everybody. Heck, I don't drive that much and it's making a dent in my wallet.

But American Airlines borders on the edge of stupidity. I take that back, they've fallen over the edge. Blaming oil prices, the morons are now charging $15 to check a bag. Not your second bag, which I could see, but your first bag. If I recall, the carry-on size for AA is pretty small, and other than a one- or two-day trip, you can't get all your necessities in a carry-on. Does the fact that I've now paid you to handle my bag guarantee me that you won't destroy it on the conveyor belt, or that my bag will be actually traveling with me to my destination?

I don't know what genius marketing person came up with this idea, but it reeks of poor customer service. Just add the $15 to the price of a ticket for Pete's sake. I already get hit with over $100 in taxes when I buy a seat, so just add it there. What, you can't compete with the other airlines that way? Hmmm, perhaps you should take a look at your business model.

I find this almost as ridiculous as US Scare (Air) charging $5 for a window seat. Why not an aisle seat? Oh, that's right, because you bump my foot with that stupid drink cart when I sit there! What are they going to do when no one buys the window seat? What are they going to do when 2 people want to sit together, but there are only 2 seats on a row? How are they going to balance the weight of the plane when everyone is in the aisle and the middle seats?

Grr. Argh!

Airlines, let me give you some free marketing advice. You suck. Other than that, charge for drinks. Don't charge $5, but a soda in a vending machine runs $1 these days. Don't even serve those ridiculous drinks on a 1-hour flight. I think everyone can survive without liquid refreshment for an hour.

Stop overbooking flights and giving vouchers to volunteers. Here's a concept. Book the number of seats that you have. Then, stop losing my bags and you won't have to pay me for my stuff.

Stop wasting gas by sitting on the tarmac for an hour while you wait to be cleared for take-off. Wait at the gate.

I think they should charge a moron tax. You know those people who can't put a stinkin' carry-on bag in the overhead wheels first instead of sideways so the rest of us have nowhere to put our bags?

I'll be using about $50 in gas to head to Williamsburg tomorrow. Looking forward to it - mostly because the weather is supposed to be rain-free for the entire weekend. I can't remember the last time we had a dry spell over a day or so. My feet were beginning to grow webs for swimming.

Everyone have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Airport Survival

I don't know anyone who thinks that flying is the best part of their trip. "Ooh, I get to waste time in an airport today!"

There are a few things that you can do to make your airport stay a little better than crappy.

Before you ever go to the airport, call the airline the day before to see if your flight is on schedule. It's easier to change things at home from the comfort of your couch (and without 300 other mad travelers fighting for time). Keep an eye on things like weather before-hand, because many airlines can re-route you through another city if given enough advance notice (and if it's weather-related, without a change fee.)

Arrive the required 2 hours ahead of time. Bleck, I know, it's a pain in the ass. But it will give you enough time to stand in line and check in, get through the security cattle lines, etc.

Pack light. I know, I know. Hey, I'm a woman, we want to pack the kitchen sink. But you have to lift those bags, drag them behind you through 4 terminals, etc. I've mentioned Space Bags before - life-savers that they are.

Bring a snack. All that fatty airport food is tempting (can you say Cinnabon?) But you'll feel better if you stick to a sandwich or a snack bar.

If you don't bring a snack, get food before you get on the plane. We all know that airplane food is right up there with slop, so if you get a bagel or sandwich or muffin before you get on the plane, you'll be enjoying meal time while everyone else is picking through their food with plastic forks.

Get one of those neck pillows, or bring your own small pillows. Don't use the ones on the airlines. Do you know how often they wash those drooly things? Not enough.

Bring toilet seat covers. Charmin sells them in travel size. Use them on the airplane and the airport. A good match with a small bottle of anti-bacterial wash. They make paper soap now, too. Just add water.

And with that, a happy Hump day to all of you.