Part that, part Iraq and part slowdown in US economy while the world doesn't slow down.

Well Iraq is one thing, some douchebag analysts are another.

And now, even uglier: http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/06/13/airli...bags/index.html

Continental just dropped a shit ton of flights/destinations.

It's like watching a train wreck sometimes: http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/03/news/compa...sion=2008070311

United just added a fuel charge to flights. $10 each way.

This will be more and more common.

One announcement that has not made it out into the public is the fact that Continental is now charging a larger fee for same day standby. It will cost you $50 if you get to the airport early and would like to take the earlier flight to your destination.

Southwest has always been the worst for standby and flight changes. You can buy a fully refundable ticket ($$$) or you can eat the cost and buy a new one at the airport.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5880641.html

what a buncha f'n losers. I don't know how much I believe that they'd save $10 million by shaving 500 lbs off of a 80,000 lb aircraft.

They're talking about tv screens and headphone jacks and such?

we should just all board planes naked. that way we can shed the weight of clothing, and we can get rid of metal detectors.

Let's get rid of the beverage carts too. I bet those and all the food/drinks weigh about 500 lbs. While we're at it, let's get rid of the seats. Everyone can just sit on the floor of the plane right?!?

hey and then they can go up and down in big parabolas a'la the vomit comet. that'd be fun and wouldn't require any interior!

Anyone been to an airport recently? It's enraging as fuck. I had to go there to pick up my brother-in-law. He is only 14, so I had to get a pass to go through security to pick him up from the gate (even though the kid is 6 feet tall and looks and acts 18).

First, I had to go to the ticket counter before security. He flew United. They had 1 person working the counters. Every single person needed assistance with the supposed automated check-in, so the one employee is assisting 5 lines at one time. It took me 20 minutes or so to get through that mess and there were only like 5 or 6 people in front of me. Plus, the employees are so overloaded with work that they are pissy as hell. I needed to talk to them because I wasn't checking in. I needed a security pass. They kept telling me to go to the automated thing. Finally, I was like "Look. All I am doing is picking up a minor. I don't have a flight." Finally, they helped me. I got through that then headed to security.

The lines were long at security ,but it was right before 4th of July weekend so that was expected. Only took about 10 minutes to get through that. Everyone knows security is annoying as shit, but when it's the easiest part of the airport experience, there is a problem. It was the easiest part. (Then again, I know the rules and don't pittle pattle around). So I get through security and head to the gate.

United had like 5 or 6 gates all with passengers waiting for planes. They had 1 fucking person working all 6 gates. I didn't know what I was supposed to do to pick him up so I got in line to talk to her. Not only was she handling passengers from all 6 gates, but she was also having to report on delays, keep in contact with the flight crew of incoming flights, make announcements over the intercom when flights were landing, tell passengers what sections were boarding, and god knows what else. I stood there for like 20-30 minutes. There were only 3 people in front of me, and all they needed was seat assignments but she was so busy that she had to keep cutting them off.

Finally, I saw my brother-in-law so I just walked over to the dude he was with and signed a paper and we left. Still, my mother-in-law had to pay $200 extra (on top of the airline ticket) just for the service of having someone walk a 14 year old on and off a plane. That's fucking ridiculous. I'm sorry. I want to support airlines, but when they make it this fucking inconvenient, I would rather drive if the distance is within 10 hours.

If your bag weighs more than 50 pounds, they charge you an extra $100. If you have extra bags, it's $25 for the first bag and then something like $100 for every bag after that. Is fuel really that fucking expensive!?!?!

Don't worry, the airline industry will sink itself just like a lot of other industries will in the next five or so years. It isn't really their fault. They're just trying to stay afloat like every other business. Passing on costs to the consumer due to an inept as fuck government is nothing new. It just sucks the end user, the consumer, is the one who always gets fucked. We can't cut our costs and expenses to maintain a steady profit level like businesses other than refusing to pay our taxes, which will land us in jail

1) Taxes are a necessity in order to build roads, have schools, subsidize health care, etc. I have no problem with paying taxes. I just wish our gov't would spend less money on bureaucratic bullshit.

2) Inept gov't? Umm... Yeah, I mean, our gov't (between state and federal taxes) is making almost $1.00 on the gallon, but is it really their fault that gas prices are so high. Plain and simple: No.

3) The airline industry will not fail. It's too important to our economy. All we are going to see is major mergers and small airlines going out of business. You're being over dramatic.

4) Airlines are doing everything in their power to not inflate ticket prices. In doing so, they are jacking up the cost of everything else. I think this is a dumb move, but I guess if you travel light and don't have any special needs, you come out on top. Still, I think increasing ticket prices is better than having to pay so much more for an extra bag. Most people travel with 2 bags.

5) Of course the consumer is going to have to pay... we are the ones using the products. That's a stupid thing to say.

Honestly, I guess what I am saying is that I don't appreciate your semi-anarchist comment. I think it's motivated by pure irritation and there is no logic behind it at all. Not to be rude, I'm just saying...