Definitely not paying to read the likes of Vox, but virtually all consumer dissatisfaction, regardless of industry, boils down to a lack of competition.
Competition never goes away organically. There is always government meddling to explain it.
In this particular case, the public’s fear of flying means that any discussion of reducing laws and regulations is met with shrieks of terror and doomsday predictions.
Same with health care.
I couldn’t read the article because I’m not signing up for a trial membership, but flying is still more convenient than driving if it’s a long distance. I’ve flown three times this year and have had no problems other than crowded airports.
100% agreed. As finicky and annoying as the flying process can be, it beats the hell out of grinding through hours of interstate driving with hundreds of low-IQ, distracted, left lane blocking half wits.
It’s cheaper too for those that know what they’re doing. Expenses on road trips add up fast, between gas, lodging, food, etc.
Speaking of, did you know you can still fly without a real ID?
My coworker and I just went to a conference and she did not have one.
You just have to pay an extra $45 bucks for an exemption.
A guy at work with just had to do the same thing, little extra paperwork and $45.
I agree, although my wife and I enjoy a good road trip. We were going to Charleston South Carolina a couple times a year and usually drove one of the trips, a little more than 12 hours behind the wheel. We were going to drive to Denver earlier this year, but it made more sense to fly, probably the same cost but saved 2 days of driving.
The article appears to be about how miserable it is, not how convenient.
Hmmmm…back in 1978 we deregulated the airlines. There was TONS of competition. Discount airlines galore. Some airlines were all first class (they didn’t last) Then…the free market did what the free market does…it merged and acquired…to the point where there are FEWER airlines today than there were when airlines were regulated. If the government interferred at all it was to DENY a merger (JetBlue and Spirit comes to mind) because - it would have decreased competition.
The reason that flying is so miserable is NOT because of the government…it’s shitty because we, the people, demanded that. Years ago, TWA (and later AA - after a…you guessed it - merger) tried to make cabins more comfortable in coach for a modest fee. People weren’t willing to pay it. If Delta offered a fare that was $50 cheaper, Delta got the business, even if was more cramped.
Then the airlines, not the government, decided that they could divide the coach cabin into premium and economy. Those taht wanted to pay a little more got a bit more room. Those who didn’t got stuck in the back.
Then the airlines, not the government decided that if they were going to be carrying luggage, they ought to be compensated for it, so they started charging for bags. Want to get around that, pay more for a better class of coach.
Finally - the airlines wanted to put ten pounds of shit in a five pound bag by flying into airports that were already at or near capacity because - they were more convenient.
The government had little to do with any of that.
I didn’t want to sign up for a trial membership so I did not read the article, I don’t find flying any more miserable than it has been over the last 30 years with the exception that airports seem busier.
Having to pay for a checked bag pisses me off.
That alone I can reluctantly accept provided it ts fully disclosed. What annoys me is the side effect of many people carrying everything on board, even bags which are so big as to require being checked-in.
Which then ends up with the check in counter asking for people to voluntarily check bags because there is not enough overhead space. So the only thing it really does is keep people from packing the toiletries that they want.
The whole point is to prevent price transparency. It generates revenue, but also keeps consumers from being able to shop with full information.
I’ve never flown Frontier Airline, I heard you have to pay for a carry-on bag, but are allowed a personal item like purse or small backpack.
The airlines could make more money and speed up boarding if they let you check bags for free but charged for carry ons.
I can’t tell you how much I enjoy watching people repeat the same arguments for years to the same people who have debunked them dozens of times.
Deregulation is not what happened. It’s the name people put on it, which, like pretty much everything else in popular media, was dishonest and inaccurate.
The airlines were allowed to set their own prices. That is virtually the only change that occurred.
There are still mountains of federal regulation that ultimately serve to increase the cost of doing business, which incentivizes consolidation, resulting in less competition.
I am speaking to pretty much everyone except for KC, because as history has proven time and again, he will learn nothing from this conversation and simply repeat his shitty incorrect argument again and again in the future.
It provides yet another money making opportunity for airlines…For example…A flight on Southwest from MCI to LAX the basic fare is $174. But your seat is assigned at check in, so the odds are, it will be a center seat. I don’t want that, so I opt to select my seat. The fare becomes $219 - but I’ll be in the last boarding group and I wanted to carry on stuff to avoid the fee to check a bag. If I want to get in an earlier boarding group so I have a better chance of overhead bin space, the fare becomes $299…and there is no guarantee that there will be overhead bin space…you just have a better chance of getting it. To get in the “early” boarding group and have very very good odds of an overhead bin space, it’s $359. That’s one way.
If you do have to check a bag, then for all but the $359 fare, it’s $45 more. So if you opt for the fare that puts you in the first boarding group but you need to check a bag, it will cost you $244. For $15 more you get a free checked bag AND more leg room. Bottom line - it’s bullshit.
I always like the show Green Acres and airline fares remind me of the Mr Haney character…buying the cheapest fare and it’s “Well Mister Douglas…to get on the plane earlier you’re going to need the dee luxe model”
What part of the government mandated that US Air buy Piedmont, and then buy America West and then buy AA, who had bought TWA? And what part of the government directed Northwest to buy Republic and for Delta to buy Northwest. You say that there isn’t enough competition, but it sure seems like the free market killed off competition.
For someone who wants to travel cheap they have the option of paying the $174, If there is no space for their carry-on the airlines will check it for free. For someone who wants to guarantee a space for their bag in the overhead and wants a better seat they can choose to pay more. Sounds like a win-win for the customers.