Comments on: As price of jet fuel plummets, airline surcharges defy gravity http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: karen http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/comment-page-1/#comment-14659 karen Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:59:50 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5221#comment-14659 I guess we need to think about regulating the airlines again. I do not think the airlines are weasels. There were a great deal of them in bankruptcy. You only showed a graph of the fuel costs for one year. Why don't you do a graph of the cost of tickets since the 70's and 80's and the increase in costs of labor and fuel. People are working for the airlines that make $11.00 an hour. You can not even get a gardner who will work for under 15 an hour and they do not pay taxes. When they set up the charging for bags idea, I started thinking about how they were creating a new job, and more workers would have to do more work and collect money to get the charge. It is silly, but everyone seems to think it should be $300 for a roundtrip to New York from California. That is so unbelieveable. Come on people, you will go out to a nice dinner, have a drink or two in the bar first, get an appetizer, order wine and two entrees and skip dessert. Hey, you also ordered a salad, and your hubby ordered mashed potates. ( everything in a restaurant is separated now) You still have to tip ( 20% now?? do you believe it??) You have spent close to 200.00 or more. So why do you think you should be entertained , fed, and fly in 8 hours across the country and pay only 100 or 200 more?? Come on. We all spend more on everything. Do the graph of airfares and fuel costs. I think we are going to start seeing the airlines cut out more cities. They are not going to pay labor costs for pilots, flight attendants, maintenance, baggage gate and administrative employees, insurance for employees, fuel costs, and the cost to keep up terminals in all those cities ( which they are taxed on) So, all of us who fly to little places are going to have to drive from either Seattle, San Francisco, LA, San Diego, to Denver, or Dallas, maybe Memphis, Atlanta, Miami , Dulles, LaGuardia, and Chicago. What if those were the only places that the airlines would fly to? We would have to rent cars, buy gas and spend an entire day getting to where we need to go. We need to look at regulating the airlines again. It can not support itself, and then we would have a say in all the CEO's huge exit salaries. That is where the money goes. Management with bonuses. I guess we need to think about regulating the airlines again. I do not think the airlines are weasels. There were a great deal of them in bankruptcy. You only showed a graph of the fuel costs for one year. Why don’t you do a graph of the cost of tickets since the 70′s and 80′s and the increase in costs of labor and fuel. People are working for the airlines that make $11.00 an hour. You can not even get a gardner who will work for under 15 an hour and they do not pay taxes.
When they set up the charging for bags idea, I started thinking about how they were creating a new job, and more workers would have to do more work and collect money to get the charge. It is silly, but everyone seems to think it should be $300 for a roundtrip to New York from California. That is so unbelieveable. Come on people, you will go out to a nice dinner, have a drink or two in the bar first, get an appetizer, order wine and two entrees and skip dessert. Hey, you also ordered a salad, and your hubby ordered mashed potates. ( everything in a restaurant is separated now) You still have to tip ( 20% now?? do you believe it??) You have spent close to 200.00 or more. So why do you think you should be entertained , fed, and fly in 8 hours across the country and pay only 100 or 200 more?? Come on. We all spend more on everything. Do the graph of airfares and fuel costs.
I think we are going to start seeing the airlines cut out more cities. They are not going to pay labor costs for pilots, flight attendants, maintenance, baggage gate and administrative employees, insurance for employees, fuel costs, and the cost to keep up terminals in all those cities ( which they are taxed on) So, all of us who fly to little places are going to have to drive from either Seattle, San Francisco, LA, San Diego, to Denver, or Dallas, maybe Memphis, Atlanta, Miami , Dulles, LaGuardia, and Chicago. What if those were the only places that the airlines would fly to? We would have to rent cars, buy gas and spend an entire day getting to where we need to go.
We need to look at regulating the airlines again. It can not support itself, and then we would have a say in all the CEO’s huge exit salaries. That is where the money goes. Management with bonuses.

]]> By: Star http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/comment-page-1/#comment-14613 Star Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:28:18 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5221#comment-14613 <<I>> Ed Good point, Ed. I think it's just a way for the carriers to give more 'perks' to their most frequent flyers, since they are exempt from all these fees. ~Star http://airlinealacarte.com <>
Ed

Good point, Ed. I think it’s just a way for the carriers to give more ‘perks’ to their most frequent flyers, since they are exempt from all these fees.

~Star
http://airlinealacarte.com

]]> By: Lianne http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/comment-page-1/#comment-14599 Lianne Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:17:28 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5221#comment-14599 1. Drop the 1st Bag fee for the 1st check bag. 2. Gimme a least a damn water for free. Since 1st Check Bag fees and beverage fees were *supposed* to be a the result of high fuel prices they should logically be the first to be dropped. 1. Drop the 1st Bag fee for the 1st check bag.

2. Gimme a least a damn water for free.

Since 1st Check Bag fees and beverage fees were *supposed* to be a the result of high fuel prices they should logically be the first to be dropped.

]]> By: Kimberly http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/comment-page-1/#comment-14597 Kimberly Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:39:02 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5221#comment-14597 Personally I felt the rising fuel prices were a ridiculous excuse. Several of the airlines that declared they NEEDED the checked bag fee to off set rising fuel costs had already been in financial trouble BEFORE the fuel jumped up. I think they had already dug themselves into a hole due to poor management and they found an excuse that everybody could relate to and understand a bit because it touched their lives. Gas is expensive. My vote is quit adding all these fees and tell the truth...how much is my ticket? Personally I felt the rising fuel prices were a ridiculous excuse. Several of the airlines that declared they NEEDED the checked bag fee to off set rising fuel costs had already been in financial trouble BEFORE the fuel jumped up.

I think they had already dug themselves into a hole due to poor management and they found an excuse that everybody could relate to and understand a bit because it touched their lives. Gas is expensive.

My vote is quit adding all these fees and tell the truth…how much is my ticket?

]]> By: Deborah http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/comment-page-1/#comment-14591 Deborah Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:28:54 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5221#comment-14591 Chris, I think we should ask for: 1) Fuel surcharges that actually bear a resemblance to the actual rise/fall in fuel prices 2)No other auxilliary charges, put it all in fuel charges or RAISE THE TICKET PRICE 3) Basic ammenities, soda, water. maybe a nut or two. Even in coach. It's the least they can do. Chris, I think we should ask for:
1) Fuel surcharges that actually bear a resemblance to the actual rise/fall in fuel prices
2)No other auxilliary charges, put it all in fuel charges or RAISE THE TICKET PRICE
3) Basic ammenities, soda, water. maybe a nut or two. Even in coach.

It’s the least they can do.

]]> By: Christopher Elliott http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/comment-page-1/#comment-14580 Christopher Elliott Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:50:13 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5221#comment-14580 Interesting idea. If I wrote such a letter, what should we ask for? Interesting idea. If I wrote such a letter, what should we ask for?

]]> By: Ed http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/comment-page-1/#comment-14578 Ed Tue, 16 Sep 2008 23:06:55 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5221#comment-14578 Hey Chris... How about creating a petition letter that we all can add comments to that will be sent to the heads and boards of all the major airlines? This letter will outline that fuel prices are going down, yet the surcharges are not and that as passengers we are not happy about this (you are the word-smith, I'm sure you can come up with a better way to say this) Publish the letter on your blog and let everyone here add their 2 cents worth, then at the end of a week or so, blast it out to all the airlines executives and board members... I think that will shake things up some! Look what happened when United tried to remove meal service from international flights! Sometimes the customer DOES have a voice (although it remains to be seen if we have anything to say about the Jet Blue $7 charge for blankets and pillows!) Ed web/gadget guru Hey Chris…
How about creating a petition letter that we all can add comments to that will be sent to the heads and boards of all the major airlines? This letter will outline that fuel prices are going down, yet the surcharges are not and that as passengers we are not happy about this (you are the word-smith, I’m sure you can come up with a better way to say this) Publish the letter on your blog and let everyone here add their 2 cents worth, then at the end of a week or so, blast it out to all the airlines executives and board members…
I think that will shake things up some! Look what happened when United tried to remove meal service from international flights! Sometimes the customer DOES have a voice (although it remains to be seen if we have anything to say about the Jet Blue $7 charge for blankets and pillows!)
Ed
web/gadget guru

]]> By: Bill http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/comment-page-1/#comment-14570 Bill Tue, 16 Sep 2008 18:42:47 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5221#comment-14570 I wish the airlines would charge what they need to charge and get on with it. I want a safe flight. I want to be reasonably comforable. I want the airline's employees to be paid well enough that they are able to support themselves and their families. I think their executives should be paid a lot less. It is a little bit ridiculous when i am told a ticket is $140 each way and it ends up being $600. Since they are all so stubborn, we do need a government regulation that says the airline must include all of their own fees in their quotes, and the only add ons can be the ones mandated by the airports and government. All fuel costs need to be included in the ticket price. I'm about to pay my first "baggage fee" this week. Would have been easier for them to just let me include it in the price of the ticket. I wish the airlines would charge what they need to charge and get on with it. I want a safe flight. I want to be reasonably comforable. I want the airline’s employees to be paid well enough that they are able to support themselves and their families.
I think their executives should be paid a lot less.
It is a little bit ridiculous when i am told a ticket is $140 each way and it ends up being $600.

Since they are all so stubborn, we do need a government regulation that says the airline must include all of their own fees in their quotes, and the only add ons can be the ones mandated by the airports and government. All fuel costs need to be included in the ticket price.

I’m about to pay my first “baggage fee” this week. Would have been easier for them to just let me include it in the price of the ticket.

]]> By: Skip http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/comment-page-1/#comment-14564 Skip Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:59:02 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5221#comment-14564 So what can be done about this blatant lie? Write a congressman, boycott, complain to the airline, sit back and lump it? What can be done? So what can be done about this blatant lie? Write a congressman, boycott, complain to the airline, sit back and lump it? What can be done?

]]> By: George http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/comment-page-1/#comment-14558 George Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:53:01 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5221#comment-14558 To Kevin: When you decide to start your own airline, let me know! I'm onboard. To Kevin:

When you decide to start your own airline, let me know! I’m onboard.

]]> By: Christopher Elliott http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/comment-page-1/#comment-14551 Christopher Elliott Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:03:38 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5221#comment-14551 I saw that announcement and I had to laugh out loud. Here's some fun reading for all you skeptics reading my blog: http://www.united.com/press/detail/0,6862,59802,00.html I saw that announcement and I had to laugh out loud. Here’s some fun reading for all you skeptics reading my blog: http://www.united.com/press/detail/0,6862,59802,00.html

]]> By: aliasbuck http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/comment-page-1/#comment-14550 aliasbuck Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:54:26 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5221#comment-14550 Have to love the brass at United raising their second bag fee today and claiming that it's because of increased fuel prices. Do they really think ANYONE believes this (at least anyone who can do basic math)? Have to love the brass at United raising their second bag fee today and claiming that it’s because of increased fuel prices.

Do they really think ANYONE believes this (at least anyone who can do basic math)?

]]> By: Chicky http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/comment-page-1/#comment-14547 Chicky Mon, 15 Sep 2008 14:14:06 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5221#comment-14547 Well of course it never was about the fuel prices. Never, ever, ever. That was just an excuse. And now that fuel prices have dropped, all those fuel surcharges will just become profit, or whatever. I'm no economics major. It's like any other fee or tax: once it's in place, it's there to stay. It's too lucrative a little piggybank to discontinue. Bah. Humbug. Well of course it never was about the fuel prices. Never, ever, ever. That was just an excuse. And now that fuel prices have dropped, all those fuel surcharges will just become profit, or whatever. I’m no economics major. It’s like any other fee or tax: once it’s in place, it’s there to stay. It’s too lucrative a little piggybank to discontinue.

Bah. Humbug.

]]> By: jamie http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/comment-page-1/#comment-14538 jamie Sat, 13 Sep 2008 15:03:54 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5221#comment-14538 It's such a tremendous opportunity for a handful of airlines (Southwest I guess, any others?) to stand out by not being total scurvy weasels. Customer loyalty is so hard to get, and so easy to lose. I'm STILL mad at United for refusing to give my family of 4 (including a 3 and 5-year-old) seat assignments for a 5-hour flight to Hawaii until we got to the gate that day. I worried myself sick that they wouldn't put us together, called repeatedly, but still they wouldn't commit. How does that make sense? Whenever I have a choice, I choose the other airline every time. So stupid and short-sighted. It’s such a tremendous opportunity for a handful of airlines (Southwest I guess, any others?) to stand out by not being total scurvy weasels. Customer loyalty is so hard to get, and so easy to lose.

I’m STILL mad at United for refusing to give my family of 4 (including a 3 and 5-year-old) seat assignments for a 5-hour flight to Hawaii until we got to the gate that day. I worried myself sick that they wouldn’t put us together, called repeatedly, but still they wouldn’t commit. How does that make sense?

Whenever I have a choice, I choose the other airline every time.

So stupid and short-sighted.

]]> By: Bruce Hopman http://www.elliott.org/blog/as-price-of-jet-fuel-plummets-airline-surcharges-defy-gravity/comment-page-1/#comment-14537 Bruce Hopman Sat, 13 Sep 2008 13:15:58 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5221#comment-14537 PET PEEVE ABOUT PET FEES: And what about increased pet fees!?! All airlines increased them to AT LEAST $100 each way. Some are even at $150!! And this is to just put your pet under the seat in front of you!!! On top of that, you GIVE UP your right to a carry-on bag. So basically, your pet is your carry on, AND you have to pay upt to $150 for that priveledge. What could possibly justify this outrageous expense? If you're pet is small enough to fit under a seat, it must be pretty light -- so it's not like you're adding additional weight like a heavy bag. The pet is only taking up the space you were probably already taking up for free. It's a total scam if you ask me. And on SOME flights, you could actually be paying MORE for your pet to sit UNDER a seat than you're paying to sit IN one!! I tried to save myself a few bucks by asking if I could pay for the seat and put my pet carrier in the seat, and they won;t let you do that. WHAT A SCAM!!! PET PEEVE ABOUT PET FEES:
And what about increased pet fees!?! All airlines increased them to AT LEAST $100 each way. Some are even at $150!! And this is to just put your pet under the seat in front of you!!! On top of that, you GIVE UP your right to a carry-on bag. So basically, your pet is your carry on, AND you have to pay upt to $150 for that priveledge. What could possibly justify this outrageous expense? If you’re pet is small enough to fit under a seat, it must be pretty light — so it’s not like you’re adding additional weight like a heavy bag. The pet is only taking up the space you were probably already taking up for free. It’s a total scam if you ask me. And on SOME flights, you could actually be paying MORE for your pet to sit UNDER a seat than you’re paying to sit IN one!! I tried to save myself a few bucks by asking if I could pay for the seat and put my pet carrier in the seat, and they won;t let you do that. WHAT A SCAM!!!

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