The current state of the airline industry Options

[Hartmann]

Things are getting really ugly, really quick.

United has reduced capacity, is cutting staff, and is killing of their low-cost carrier TED.
US Airways has not fulfilled its order for two planes that could fly their new route to China, so they'll lose the route and they're reducing capacity.
The Delta/Northwest Merger isn't complete yet, so who knows the outcome.
Continental announced this morning that they are reducing capacity and cutting some staffing.
ExpressJet (who Continental employs to fly their little jets) is on the verge of Ch11.
Southwest has raised fares considerably.
JetBlue has cut a number of routes.
AA is nickel and diming customers to make up the costs.


yikes.

[Mommy]

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!?!?!