Comments on: The coming dehydration crisis for airline passengers http://www.elliott.org/blog/the-coming-dehydration-crisis-for-airline-passengers/ The travel troubleshooter. Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:17:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Karen http://www.elliott.org/blog/the-coming-dehydration-crisis-for-airline-passengers/comment-page-2/#comment-26871 Karen Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:00:28 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5072#comment-26871 On a return trip from Hawaii to Phoenix I was stuck in the dreaded middle seat. My husband was at the window, a businessman had the aisle seat. When we arrived at the airport it was 10:30 P.M. with our departure at midnight. The gift and snack shops at the airport were all closed by this time and we could not take a bottle of water through TSA. The men to my left and right were sound asleep and I was experiencing bad cramps in my legs and a great amount of thirst. I did not want to disrupt the men and when the flight attendant came down the aisle with the drink cart I whispered that I would like a bottle of water. He whispered back "that will be $2.00". I pointed to the overhead bin to indicate that my money was "up there" (no room to keep my purse where I had to stuff my feet) but I would happily pay for the H2O ASAP without disturbing the sleepers. The flight attendant lip synced "Sorry" and continued down the aisle. It was a miserable flight and I was in dire straits by the time I arrived in Phoenix...US Air....never again. On a return trip from Hawaii to Phoenix I was stuck in the dreaded middle seat. My husband was at the window, a businessman had the aisle seat. When we arrived at the airport it was 10:30 P.M. with our departure at midnight. The gift and snack shops at the airport were all closed by this time and we could not take a bottle of water through TSA. The men to my left and right were sound asleep and I was experiencing bad cramps in my legs and a great amount of thirst. I did not want to disrupt the men and when the flight attendant came down the aisle with the drink cart I whispered that I would like a bottle of water. He whispered back “that will be $2.00″. I pointed to the overhead bin to indicate that my money was “up there” (no room to keep my purse where I had to stuff my feet) but I would happily pay for the H2O ASAP without disturbing the sleepers. The flight attendant lip synced “Sorry” and continued down the aisle. It was a miserable flight and I was in dire straits by the time I arrived in Phoenix…US Air….never again.

]]> By: Connie M. Bauer http://www.elliott.org/blog/the-coming-dehydration-crisis-for-airline-passengers/comment-page-2/#comment-26832 Connie M. Bauer Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:21:26 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5072#comment-26832 This is easy...bring your stainless steel or plastic empty bottle along and fill it in the airline bathroom sink, if it fits....or bring a funnel? What are your choices? very few...that is why I only fly if I Have to....TaRa.... This is easy…bring your stainless steel or plastic empty bottle along and fill it in the airline bathroom sink, if it fits….or bring a funnel? What are your choices? very few…that is why I only fly if I Have to….TaRa….

]]> By: Tim http://www.elliott.org/blog/the-coming-dehydration-crisis-for-airline-passengers/comment-page-2/#comment-14156 Tim Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:43:20 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5072#comment-14156 I don't even bother with carrying my own bottle. . .instead I stop at Starbucks and ask for a venti ice water, which even airport locations will give you for free. The water is filtered and cold and the cup can even be reused/refilled at your next stop if you are trying to be green. Granted not every airport has a Starbucks, but most have at least something similar, even smaller, regional airports. I've only had the misfortune of flying through Kansas City once, and it was enough to make me avoid it in the future; my condolences to those who have no other choice. . . I don’t even bother with carrying my own bottle. . .instead I stop at Starbucks and ask for a venti ice water, which even airport locations will give you for free. The water is filtered and cold and the cup can even be reused/refilled at your next stop if you are trying to be green. Granted not every airport has a Starbucks, but most have at least something similar, even smaller, regional airports. I’ve only had the misfortune of flying through Kansas City once, and it was enough to make me avoid it in the future; my condolences to those who have no other choice. . .

]]> By: US Airways Now Charges for Bottled Water - What Next? | Travel Tattles http://www.elliott.org/blog/the-coming-dehydration-crisis-for-airline-passengers/comment-page-2/#comment-13907 US Airways Now Charges for Bottled Water - What Next? | Travel Tattles Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:21:39 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5072#comment-13907 [...] Few people have a problem with an airline charging for soft drinks.  But water?  Come on.  Given the fact that the tap water they serve on planes is often not potable, that leaves us with few alternatives. [...] [...] Few people have a problem with an airline charging for soft drinks.  But water?  Come on.  Given the fact that the tap water they serve on planes is often not potable, that leaves us with few alternatives. [...]

]]> By: Felicia http://www.elliott.org/blog/the-coming-dehydration-crisis-for-airline-passengers/comment-page-2/#comment-13774 Felicia Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:53:15 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5072#comment-13774 I'm a business traveler who only sits in economy. Unfortunately, my employer will not pay for the upgrade.... Shucks! Who said you can not board the plane with bottled water or juice in your bag? I have done this ever since the regulation passed. How it works: 1. After you go through the screening you ARE ALLOWED to take the airports food & beverage on the planes. 2. I mean there have been just a few times I brought my own drink from outside into airport and it passed security...(A good example of security not doing their job)... But on a particular trip I was questioned by the officers, they pulled me aside, asked me to sip it, I told them it was my "diabetic drink". I guess they didn't see me gag to death and realized it was safe and allowed me to go through. 3. Some airlines provide drinks for free. Not all of them charge. I travel 3 x a week and I would say Delta, AA and Southwest did not ask for money when I sat in my 23C seat! I’m a business traveler who only sits in economy. Unfortunately, my employer will not pay for the upgrade…. Shucks!

Who said you can not board the plane with bottled water or juice in your bag? I have done this ever since the regulation passed. How it works:

1. After you go through the screening you ARE ALLOWED to take the airports food & beverage on the planes.

2. I mean there have been just a few times I brought my own drink from outside into airport and it passed security…(A good example of security not doing their job)… But on a particular trip I was questioned by the officers, they pulled me aside, asked me to sip it, I told them it was my “diabetic drink”. I guess they didn’t see me gag to death and realized it was safe and allowed me to go through.

3. Some airlines provide drinks for free. Not all of them charge. I travel 3 x a week and I would say Delta, AA and Southwest did not ask for money when I sat in my 23C seat!

]]> By: Ted http://www.elliott.org/blog/the-coming-dehydration-crisis-for-airline-passengers/comment-page-2/#comment-13765 Ted Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:14:50 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5072#comment-13765 The last time I flew, I had to wait for some time at the otherwise uncrowded TSA checkpoint as someone passed about a dozen cases of bottled water through the X-ray machine. It was destined to be sold at inflated prices by the concessionaire in the sterile area, which I verified as the very same brand and size I saw in the shop. It appears that the TSA considers an ordinary X-ray sufficient to ensure the safety of bottles of liquid that, when sold by an authorized airport concessionaire at an extortionate price, can be carried on an aircraft. But that procedure isn't sufficient to ensure the safety of an identical bottle, purchased at a normal price, when carried by passengers themselves. I did my very best to maintain a blank poker face while witnessing this scene, since I could get in trouble if I showed signs of disloyalty. But I think I'll write my Congressman and ask him why this policy makes any sense, and why it does anything to protect aircraft. There's clearly nothing resembling common sense in anything the TSA does. But the TSA invariably responds to questions about the Emperor's invisible clothes by insisting it's all perfectly sensible based on classified intelligence. Since divulging anything more would harm national security, we're supposed to accept their assurances on faith (and pay no attention to the man behind the curtain). I actually think the TSA is telling the truth on this. But the implementation resembles the children's game of "Telephone." They may indeed have started with valid intelligence; but by the time it wends its way through the Homeland Security bureaucracy and gets translated into rules and procedures simple enough for screeners to follow mindlessly, it degenerates into an arbitrary, pointless, and inconsistently-applied hassle to travelers that does nothing to protect anyone or anything. The last time I flew, I had to wait for some time at the otherwise uncrowded TSA checkpoint as someone passed about a dozen cases of bottled water through the X-ray machine. It was destined to be sold at inflated prices by the concessionaire in the sterile area, which I verified as the very same brand and size I saw in the shop.

It appears that the TSA considers an ordinary X-ray sufficient to ensure the safety of bottles of liquid that, when sold by an authorized airport concessionaire at an extortionate price, can be carried on an aircraft. But that procedure isn’t sufficient to ensure the safety of an identical bottle, purchased at a normal price, when carried by passengers themselves. I did my very best to maintain a blank poker face while witnessing this scene, since I could get in trouble if I showed signs of disloyalty. But I think I’ll write my Congressman and ask him why this policy makes any sense, and why it does anything to protect aircraft.

There’s clearly nothing resembling common sense in anything the TSA does. But the TSA invariably responds to questions about the Emperor’s invisible clothes by insisting it’s all perfectly sensible based on classified intelligence. Since divulging anything more would harm national security, we’re supposed to accept their assurances on faith (and pay no attention to the man behind the curtain).

I actually think the TSA is telling the truth on this. But the implementation resembles the children’s game of “Telephone.” They may indeed have started with valid intelligence; but by the time it wends its way through the Homeland Security bureaucracy and gets translated into rules and procedures simple enough for screeners to follow mindlessly, it degenerates into an arbitrary, pointless, and inconsistently-applied hassle to travelers that does nothing to protect anyone or anything.

]]> By: FF #1 http://www.elliott.org/blog/the-coming-dehydration-crisis-for-airline-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-13715 FF #1 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:58:23 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5072#comment-13715 Maybe it's not the INCOME the airlines are thinking about... maybe it's the LOSS OF CASH in providing freebies. Some airline did a study and found that removing 3 little peanuts from each snack pack would save them millions of dollars. Why shouldn't they try to keep their expenses to a minimum for creature comforts? As for frequent traveler, you MUST be kidding! Just because your health condition mandates a certain amount of water every 1/2 hour, what, exactly, makes you think an airline should be responsible for ensuring that quota is met or pay for your medical treatment. You are an adult. Take care of YOURSELF. If you can't afford $10 for the water, bring empty containers (as suggested), or even bring a doctor's note saying you should be allowed to carry water on board because of the quantity required. But don't just sit there and say the airline is responsible for your medical care!!! Maybe it’s not the INCOME the airlines are thinking about… maybe it’s the LOSS OF CASH in providing freebies. Some airline did a study and found that removing 3 little peanuts from each snack pack would save them millions of dollars. Why shouldn’t they try to keep their expenses to a minimum for creature comforts?

As for frequent traveler, you MUST be kidding! Just because your health condition mandates a certain amount of water every 1/2 hour, what, exactly, makes you think an airline should be responsible for ensuring that quota is met or pay for your medical treatment.

You are an adult. Take care of YOURSELF. If you can’t afford $10 for the water, bring empty containers (as suggested), or even bring a doctor’s note saying you should be allowed to carry water on board because of the quantity required.

But don’t just sit there and say the airline is responsible for your medical care!!!

]]> By: mountain troll http://www.elliott.org/blog/the-coming-dehydration-crisis-for-airline-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-13412 mountain troll Tue, 15 Jul 2008 05:34:44 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5072#comment-13412 when you are traveling..... you better to have money on you NOTHING is free.... and I mean NOTHING. you will have to pay one way or the other. EVERYTHING. and I MEAN EVERTHING has a price on it. now... How much you willing to pay? GROWTH...... ALL CEOs are looking at growth.... even the COMPANY you are working for is looking for growth. IT wants more revenues, more profits so the CEO can answer to the SHAREHOLDERS, not you or me, who are working for the COMPANY. when you are traveling….. you better to have money on you
NOTHING is free…. and I mean NOTHING. you will have to pay one way or the other.
EVERYTHING. and I MEAN EVERTHING has a price on it. now… How much you willing to pay?
GROWTH…… ALL CEOs are looking at growth…. even the COMPANY you are working for is looking for growth. IT wants more revenues, more profits so the CEO can answer to the SHAREHOLDERS, not you or me, who are working for the COMPANY.

]]> By: frequent traveler http://www.elliott.org/blog/the-coming-dehydration-crisis-for-airline-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-13405 frequent traveler Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:35:43 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5072#comment-13405 I have a blood clotting disorder, where I NEED to stay well hydrated or I will throw a clot. I don't think the airlines have thought this through. If I don't have the cash on me to pay $2 for a cup of water every 1/2 hour or so (i.e. $10 on a cross-country flight over the US), are they willing to pay for my medical expenses for taking care of a blood clot I receive from flying with them? Last time I was hospitalized for a clot, it cost my insurance over $100,000... Talking about being penny-wise but pound-foolish! I have a blood clotting disorder, where I NEED to stay well hydrated or I will throw a clot.
I don’t think the airlines have thought this through. If I don’t have the cash on me to pay $2 for a cup of water every 1/2 hour or so (i.e. $10 on a cross-country flight over the US), are they willing to pay for my medical expenses for taking care of a blood clot I receive from flying with them? Last time I was hospitalized for a clot, it cost my insurance over $100,000… Talking about being penny-wise but pound-foolish!

]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.elliott.org/blog/the-coming-dehydration-crisis-for-airline-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-13192 Elizabeth Mon, 07 Jul 2008 19:59:56 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=5072#comment-13192 Travel is expensive. End of story. Due to the crap dollar and oil prices, it is slowly becoming prohibitively expensive for many middle class people. You simply must include $7 in your travel budget for water and a snack from inside the terminal for your flight. It sucks, but it's common sense and personal responsibility. Get used to it. For Pete's sake, airlines are not nannies and we're not children. Travel is expensive. End of story. Due to the crap dollar and oil prices, it is slowly becoming prohibitively expensive for many middle class people.

You simply must include $7 in your travel budget for water and a snack from inside the terminal for your flight. It sucks, but it’s common sense and personal responsibility. Get used to it.

For Pete’s sake, airlines are not nannies and we’re not children.

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