Ranting and Raving

I just want to comment on the robbers that are the airline industry. Today, I tried to book my flight home from Portland to Little Rock. Good 'ol American Airlines came up as the cheapest (still UNBELIEVABLY expensive - I have never paid this much for a domestic flight so far in advance - a one way ticket is costing me more than what I paid this time last year for roundtrip), but as I was going to type in my credit card numbers, I remembered the whole "paying to take baggage" thing going on.

Because of the luggage I will have with me from this summer - the trip on AA would cost me $40 more than the published price - and that's if my luggage stays within the weight limit.

Who does this punish? Certainly not the weathier members of the frequent flyers clubs (a club which I belong to, but don't qualify as a platinum member or whatever you have to be). And it doesn't hurt business men and women who generally have everything for a two-day trip in their carry-on. No, it hurts the people who are already trying hard to afford a family vacation, make it to their sister's wedding, or just trying to get home after a wallet-busting summer abroad.

I'm also thinking this means that there will be a huge increase in WAY too large baggage trying to be shoved into the overhead bins, which I am also expecting will mean a delay getting on and off the plane, making me nervous to attempt a 45 minute connecting flight.

I think it sends a very special message about how these poor little corporations are dealing with oil issues and a rough economy - placing the burden, yet again, on those who can barely afford to fly in the first place. I think it also speaks to the lack of creativity among busineses to save money and improve customer service. Especially when you take into consideration that US Airways is going to start charging $2 a pop for water, soda, and coffee on their domestic flights in the next few months.

I want to see some of that American enterprising spirit! I want to see some logical thinking! Why tack on this cost to the American middle class? I assume that it is because if they charged people for carry-ons (which would make a LOT more sense), the corporations would be taking money from the very people that own their stock.

I have never, ever experienced this type of landslide in the economy, and truly thought (8 years ago), that I never would. From layoffs to debt, every single person I know is feeling the crunch of this economic crisis. And it's only going to get worse.

So, not to be a downer, but I'm thinking of changing all my American dollars into Euros. :) But for now, I paid $15 dollars more to take a Southwest flight instead. See how easy a little creativity is, American Airlines? You just lost my business.