Bush has been a disaster to every sector of the economy except defence and oil.
Hold on a wee bit longer though...this nightmare is almost over.
Lieberman is a total fraud. He's is the most self-serving politician in US history. In 2000, he was our VP candidate, eight years later, now he's supporting the GOP. Despite Gore's passion on climate change, he's still a jerk for choosing Lieberman as his running mate.
And John and Joe, thank you both for the exciting primary coverage! :-)
Bush_Bites
· 1 year ago
Oh, about the domestic airlines.
Yeah, they suck.
If I want to be sure I'm going to get to a meeting, I have to fly the night before, when I used to be able to fly the morning of the meeting and be sure I'd get there on time.
Also, some business travelers (like me) do check their bags and the extra charge is pretty annoying.
Frankly, though, I hope somehow this will help our rail system start to get up to Europe's level.
(Probably won't, I know, but it's my hope.)
Nigel Elliott
· 1 year ago
I only fly Virgin America and JetBlue for domestic travel. Most US carriers are flying coaches with lousy on board service. I wish more Euro carriers enter the US market.
High Crimes & Misdemeanors
· 1 year ago
ooooooppss... looks like John is gonna get one of those harry ried "stern" letters rebuking him in this slander...
LOL....
Filo
· 1 year ago
He just keeps going and going and going...LOL
Geez John, you forgot to call them Robberbarons!
Filo
· 1 year ago
Let them burn 2 stroke lawn mower and Kawasaki fuel. Fuckers.
aquarius2
· 1 year ago
It is going to get a lot worse with the airlines. United announced today it is cutting 1100 jobs, getting rid of some airplanes, getting rid of TED and canceling some routes. Other airlines are cutting back on the number of flights to certain cities. This is being done to combat rising fuel prices.
My thought is WHEN in the F**King hell is anyone in Congress going to reign in the HISTORIC record profits of the oil and gas industry. I am not sure if airline fuel is being controlled by these same companies but I would think it is. Rising prices on crude attribute to SOME higher consumer costs BUT it seems to me that if oil and gas companies can post record profits in a time of rising crude prices then we are being gouged.
I can't blame the airlines for trying to stay viable during these record high prices.
aquarius2
· 1 year ago
Oh, one more thing--if you have frequent flyer miles with anyone I would use them now. Not going to be any good if the carrier goes bust.
Butch1
· 1 year ago
I agree, it seems like many of the flight attendants are doing you a favor and if you are unfortunate to have an isle seat, I swear they have become passive/aggressive at slamming their beverage/food cart into you when pushing it up the isles. The seats are all pushed together like a cattle car and most people hang out into the isles giving them a target. Just try and let them know about it and you face a possible arrest when you land.
If you have to fly and can afford it, fly first class, they do treat you better and you have much more room. I have just about given up flying. I always set off the alarm systems whilst going through the gauntlet checking in. With a titanium knee, I always set it off and then feel like an extra from an Harry Potter movie being "wanded"to death without the incantation, patted down and nearly strip searched. ( every time not just occasionally ) This has made flying almost impossible for me and I'm tired of feeling like I'm guilty of something by the "Fatherland-Security." ( I'll get off my soapbox now. . . .)
rolando
· 1 year ago
John....What country do you live in?
AMERICANS want the LOWEST fare PERIOD! Service comes way down on the list of what people want from an airline.
The airfares in this country have been artifically low for years. Now that the cost of jet-fuel is "sky-high" airlines must raise fares. Just like every other corporation in this country the "been counters" are at work looking at everything.
The majority of folks will choose an airline if they have the lowest fare and look at nothing else.
Be careful what you wish for when it comes to "foreign" ownership of U.S. airlines...most airline jobs are paying just above minimun wage now.....the "WALMART" effect will happen.
BLAME BUSH"S ECONOMIC POLICIES FOR THE END OF OUR COUNTRY AS WE KNOW IT!
nicho
· 1 year ago
Well, it's a little more complicated than that. It goes back to Reagan. When the airline business was "de-regulated," it allowed anyone to enter the market. This led a lot of undercapitalized companies to enter very limited markets. They could -- and did -- undercut the big carriers on fares. This created a downward pressure on fares, which effectively starved the big carriers of needed revenue. Eventually, it killed the small carriers, but that just left the big guys starved for cash. It also left the public expecting to be able to fly from Boston to LA for $250. It basically created a downward spiral leading to the mess we're in now. Transportation, like energy, is a vital national industry and shouldn't be left to the mythical "market."
jiminportlandoregon
· 1 year ago
The airline industry was deregulated in 1978, when Jimmy Carter was in the White House, and it has been a disaster ever since.
nicho
· 1 year ago
The politicians and the ultrawealthy don't fly commercial any more, which is why they don't give a rat's behind what happens to commercial airlines. They all fly private jets -- so commercial air travel is deteriorating to the level of a regional bus line. I flew in coach a month or so ago, and there was so little room between rows that I couldn't even open the in-flight mag to read it. I couldn't have eaten anything, even if they had given us something. I live in an area where there are a lot of the ultrawealthy. There are three airports within a few miles of my house that handle private jets -- two are exclusively for private traffic. The traffic is steady, and when you drive by the airport, there are just rows of big gleaming jets standing by. The ultra-ultra wealthy fly in helicopters from their estates to the airports, so they don't have to mix with us poor trash on the streets.
aquarius2
· 1 year ago
Speaking about airlines. Who has the rudest flight attendants, I say it is a toss up between Delta and American.
Friendliest Frontier or Southwest
nicho
· 1 year ago
It depends on the flight. I've had very good experiences, for the most part, on American. However, beware on international flights. Why the service seems so bad was recently explained to me. Because of the seniority system, FAs can bid on flights. Those with many years of service and close to retirement like the long-haul flights, because they don't have to fly so often -- maybe three times a month -- and once they've bedded everyone down for the night, they can relax. These FAs are older, tired of the routine, and just want the flight to be over. Many foreign airlines don't have these seniority rules. So, they can put the young, eager, enthusiastic FAs on the long-haul flights.
Mark_in_Dallas
· 1 year ago
Re: American's $15 bag charge -- I plan to pay them in rolls of NICKELS, DIMES, (and pennies) totaling $16.00, and will ask for change.
Tell me about it! I already knew better, but was traveling with a group, so I ended up on an American airline. BIG mistake. Never, ever again!
JoFish
· 1 year ago
Jeebus, John. Are you trying to get me unemployed? Airline employees by and large have no say in the actual "big picture" operations of the airlines, we just fly the planes, turn the wrenches, load the bags and sell the tickets.
I suspect that the issues of overcapacity will be solved as the fuel price problems stabilize (if they do). There is no excuse for bad service ever (I certainly don't excuse it from my flight attendants or gate agents) but you have to realize the for years the folks in this industry have been getting the literal shit kicked out of them by everyone in terms of wages, benefits, concessions, bankruptcy, union-busting attempts... it goes on.
Think on this next time you are bitching about the $15 to check a bag. If you are on a regional jet aircraft the co-pilot probably is making less than $22,000 per year, is not covered by FMLA and is probably not fully protected by the Airline PIlot union ALPA if his carrier is an ALPA member carrier at all (American Eagle is, American Airlines is not).
The pain is not just with you, we all share it. Demanding that the airlines go out of business because you hate them helps no one. Especially me and my pilot brothers and sisters. Shitty Airline Management is not screwing just you... believe me.
TomJoad
· 1 year ago
The airline industry has been out of control for years and years now. They are rabid. They are the most customer unfriendly conglomerat I know of. It is obvious, with the sitting on runways for hours with no air, ever more cramped seating (to the point of torture for anyone not average height/weight), terrible on-time record, lost baggage, rudeness, chincy...
And every time someone complains, employees like lap dogs flock on websites and display exactly this super-disdain for the customers (who have good reason for complaint) usually telling them it is their own fault because people want cheapo tickets. Well, they are WRONG. I don't go for the cheapest, or...I wouldn't if there were something REASONABLY priced. I pay extra when possible for "more room". I would pay extra for food included instead of having to buy it on the plane (what a waste) but there is no choice. I cannot pay all that extra for first class or business...but I avoid the cheapo carriers like the plague.
But see...now they bump the price double and triple....so that argument goes out the window...bu these higher prices.....you aren't getting better service, or more legroom for it...it's just theivery. They overbook so much now, I have heard that if you get "bumped" (the actual word is "fucked") you may not get on a substitute flight for one or two days!!!
They are WAY out of control, and after I use my current tickets bought a long while back, no more from me....
scottinsf
· 1 year ago
The only flying I've done the past few years has been on an (somewhat scary) international carrier in and around Central America. I saw that carrier had an accident just last week skidding a plane off a runway until it broke and killed some poor folks. Of course the airport they were landing at has a bad reputation among pilots in general and it was pouring rain. I'll undoubtedly fly them again sometime since the only direct flights into Central America from here are on them but not just yet. I'm glad I did some camping in Yosemite last month instead. At least there all you have to worry about is getting attacked by a bear or falling off a cliff.
All Comments
My sentiments exactly.
Lieberman wets his pants:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/4/152839/5...
Hold on a wee bit longer though...this nightmare is almost over.
Lieberman is a total fraud. He's is the most self-serving politician in US history. In 2000, he was our VP candidate, eight years later, now he's supporting the GOP. Despite Gore's passion on climate change, he's still a jerk for choosing Lieberman as his running mate.
And John and Joe, thank you both for the exciting primary coverage! :-)
Yeah, they suck.
If I want to be sure I'm going to get to a meeting, I have to fly the night before, when I used to be able to fly the morning of the meeting and be sure I'd get there on time.
Also, some business travelers (like me) do check their bags and the extra charge is pretty annoying.
Frankly, though, I hope somehow this will help our rail system start to get up to Europe's level.
(Probably won't, I know, but it's my hope.)
LOL....
Geez John, you forgot to call them Robberbarons!
Fuckers.
My thought is WHEN in the F**King hell is anyone in Congress going to reign in the HISTORIC record profits of the oil and gas industry. I am not sure if airline fuel is being controlled by these same companies but I would think it is. Rising prices on crude attribute to SOME higher consumer costs BUT it seems to me that if oil and gas companies can post record profits in a time of rising crude prices then we are being gouged.
I can't blame the airlines for trying to stay viable during these record high prices.
If you have to fly and can afford it, fly first class, they do treat you better and you have much more room. I have just about given up flying. I always set off the alarm systems whilst going through the gauntlet checking in. With a titanium knee, I always set it off and then feel like an extra from an Harry Potter movie being "wanded"to death without the incantation, patted down and nearly strip searched. ( every time not just occasionally ) This has made flying almost impossible for me and I'm tired of feeling like I'm guilty of something by the "Fatherland-Security." ( I'll get off my soapbox now. . . .)
AMERICANS want the LOWEST fare PERIOD! Service comes way down on the list of what people want from an airline.
The airfares in this country have been artifically low for years. Now that the cost of jet-fuel is "sky-high" airlines must raise fares. Just like every other corporation in this country the "been counters" are at work looking at everything.
The majority of folks will choose an airline if they have the lowest fare and look at nothing else.
Be careful what you wish for when it comes to "foreign" ownership of U.S. airlines...most airline jobs are paying just above minimun wage now.....the "WALMART" effect will happen.
BLAME BUSH"S ECONOMIC POLICIES FOR THE END OF OUR COUNTRY AS WE KNOW IT!
Friendliest Frontier or Southwest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCz8he36hsk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCz8he36hsk
I suspect that the issues of overcapacity will be solved as the fuel price problems stabilize (if they do). There is no excuse for bad service ever (I certainly don't excuse it from my flight attendants or gate agents) but you have to realize the for years the folks in this industry have been getting the literal shit kicked out of them by everyone in terms of wages, benefits, concessions, bankruptcy, union-busting attempts... it goes on.
Think on this next time you are bitching about the $15 to check a bag. If you are on a regional jet aircraft the co-pilot probably is making less than $22,000 per year, is not covered by FMLA and is probably not fully protected by the Airline PIlot union ALPA if his carrier is an ALPA member carrier at all (American Eagle is, American Airlines is not).
The pain is not just with you, we all share it. Demanding that the airlines go out of business because you hate them helps no one. Especially me and my pilot brothers and sisters. Shitty Airline Management is not screwing just you... believe me.
It is obvious, with the sitting on runways for hours with no air, ever more cramped seating (to the point of torture for anyone not average height/weight), terrible on-time record, lost baggage, rudeness, chincy...
And every time someone complains, employees like lap dogs flock on websites and display exactly this super-disdain for the customers (who have good reason for complaint) usually telling them it is their own fault because people want cheapo tickets. Well, they are WRONG. I don't go for the cheapest, or...I wouldn't if there were something REASONABLY priced. I pay extra when possible for "more room". I would pay extra for food included instead of having to buy it on the plane (what a waste) but there is no choice. I cannot pay all that extra for first class or business...but I avoid the cheapo carriers like the plague.
But see...now they bump the price double and triple....so that argument goes out the window...bu these higher prices.....you aren't getting better service, or more legroom for it...it's just theivery. They overbook so much now, I have heard that if you get "bumped" (the actual word is "fucked") you may not get on a substitute flight for one or two days!!!
They are WAY out of control, and after I use my current tickets bought a long while back, no more from me....