Let's face it, people buy based on price, not by service.  

If fuel prices continues in this upward direction, we think the trend will be head toward charging by the pound.  The ticket price will be for the first 200 pounds.  So if you are 150, you can bring an additional 50 pounds of luggage (regardless of number).  Each additional pound is a $1.

In the end, the cost is how much to get our butts from one place to another, not whether we get some peanuts along the way.  

No ad they could possibly come up with would make me choose one airline over another. It all comes down to who's going to give me the best price. Unless you're virtually gushing disposable income (ha!), I'm betting most people have the same opinion at this point. Any extra pennies I might be able to pinch aren't going toward the airline who promises me a bag of peanuts; it's going toward filling my gas tank!

Here's a novel idea!!! Why don't the airlines just include everythnig liek they use to: real tickets, snacks, drinks, leg room, checked luggage and happy employees and charge the right price. (i.e. what it really costs to provide the this level of service.) Then, those that can afford to buy the ticket do, and those that can't don't.  In their effort to get as many people on board as possible and be the airline that everyone can fly, no one is getting what they deserve. good service and a good product.  The fact is that flying is not a "right". It is a product liek everything else.  Those that can't afford it can drive, take a bus, take a train or save up like peolpe use to do to take the trip.  Rather then everyone suffering because the airlines want everyone to be able to fly, they need to realize that they are their to provide a product and should do a better job.

It also would make their shareholders happier if they would finally charge what is needed and make a profit rather then always losing money.  Clearly, the CEO's of these companies have no common sense and should nto be running a company. The idea to just keep selling your product at a loss makes no sense.  It reminds me of a boss that once told me: "We can sell the "item we sold' at a loss because if we just sell enough of them we will have the volume to be profitable." You should know the company never was profitable and ended up going out of business. (i.e. much like the airlines.) Common sense would say, do more, charge more, fly fewer and make a profit. Rather then charge less, do less, fly more and lose more.

I worked for UA till 2002 and I can tell you, I miss the days when the airlines provided service. If you look back to how airlines used to be, it's really sad to see how they've become. When they first started losing large amounts of money, UA decided it was a good idea to scale back on food service. Why? Because people complained about the quality. Now, they complain there is no food at all on the flight.

Bottom line, the airlines cannot continue to charge these dirt cheap prices if they want to survive. People are going to have to pay a little bit more if they want the service of the past. Or they can fly the no frill airlines like we have now. Sadly, almost all US carriers are no frills airlines.

Since when did the airline industry become non-profit?  I work for one of those airlines and I am all for charging 'by the pound'.  Maybe 'FAT AMERICA' will finally realize that not only are THEY paying the price for obesity...so are travelers who cannot get a seat because of them.

I think Jeff Konecke is brilliant.  Please send your ideas to any of the major airlines.  It made my laugh . . . years ago in the computer business my husband owned, young newbies wanted us to sell below our cost and they were sure "we would make it up in volume".  Stupid is as stupid does.
Me . . . I'm willing to pay for leg room and being treated with respect and dignity instead of a cattle call with low lifes.

Well, for me its all about the money. Who can give me the cheapest fare, I don't care about the ounce of coke and a tiny packet of peanuts that they give. I don't even take them on any of my trips. In fact, they should not be serving these except on request on any flights less than 3 hours.

It is interesting to me that every article I read about the airlines describes Southwest Airlines solely as a discount airline and neglects to mention their great service.  There seems to be a widely held belief that price is the only reason discount airlines such as Southwest are successful and further, that customers will ignore bad service in order to get a cheap price.  I think this is a faulty assumption.  Southwest planes would not continue to be filled to capacity on almost every flight were their service to be sub-par.  

In over 10 years of flying Southwest, I have never received anything but the most friendly and helpful service.  Everyone from the ticketing counter to the gate crew to the in-flight crew are polite, helpful and always ready to greet with a smile. I still am able to check a bag without an additional fee (Southwest even lets you check two bags at no fee!) and get a complimentary drink and snack on every flight.  I pay the fare advertised on the website and don't have to budget for baggage fees, snack fees, or seat upgrade fees.  Nor do I have to worry that I will get bumped from a Southwest flight because they sold too many seats, a practice all too common among other airlines.  

Stop characterizing Southwest as solely a cheap airline.  They have great service AND good fares!

Kudos to Jeff Konecke! Bring back service and price tickets at what it actually costs the airline to provide it.  Sure, I want the low fares, but not at the complete loss of service we now have. For years, I've refused to fly Southwest because of the cattle call boarding procedures and having to camp out in line in order to get a decent seat. Now even they have wised up and allow you to get a priority number during online check in so at least you aren't stuck in line for hours. What's really sad is that now Southwest's service is surpassing that of the legacy carriers I've stuck with for so long.  In the future, if I must fly domestic, I may give Southwest new consideration.  Otherwise I'll save my money and go international where you still get value (service!) for the fare paid.

  Well, the whole airline debacle is further evidence that there are some things the market place just doesn't fix. I'm flying SW this week and dread it although at least they are honest about just being cheap and on time.

Kelly is right.  Southwest is the best and has been for quite sometime. I only fly Southwest for exactly the reasons Kelly describes in her email.  

I second what Kelly from Chicago said with one caveat- they do oversell. I always looked forward to volunteering my seat when asked, as I always received a free flight elsewhere in the US and left about 2 hours later.

Oh and how I miss the funny stewards before 9/11. "This is your flight attending speaking and I'd like to direct your attention to my ex-wife and current girlfriend while they demonstrate the safety features of this aircraft..." Hilarious!

I agree with Kelly in Chicago.  Long ago I only flew TWA.  When they were no more, I flew SW.  Oh sure I was petrified that I would be in the worst environment.  Let me tell you, SWA is not only the most economical but also has WONDERFUL service from beginning to end.  My children fly to IL from PHX every summer to visit their grandmother.  I not only feel comfortable with this (they are older) but I know they will be surrounded by great staff.  I have flown other airlines and they are rude and ignorant in most aspects of customer service.  

Obviously there are people on here who feel they are of a much superior line of human and feel they deserve so much more, well, if you feel that way, save YOUR money and purchase your OWN private jet.

Jeff, Jeff, Jeff.....

If it were as simple as providng a product or service and charging more that it costs any moron could start and run a business. However, a few little bothersome details like COMPETITION and SUPPLY AND DEMAND cloud your crystalline concepts.

Your "Do more, charge more, fly less, make a profit" mantra does not take into account why people fly and why they choose an one airline over another. Air travel is a commodity, and customer service has ceased to be a diffrientiator. Frequent flyer programs are popular and reward loyal customers. If you are a frequent business traveller, you might go for something bigger than a bag of pretzels and a pillow.

The "sell for less but make it up in volume" is a solid approach for a commodity product or service. You cannot, of course, sell a product at a loss unless you are making the difference up somewhere else, such as upgrades or service contracts. The reality is airlines are competing primarily on price, not service.

Being a former NWA slave, I can tell you that these Airlines have more money than you could imagine.  The day will come when you will be charged for your weight, along with anything eles you could imagine, prebaording will cost you..you name it it will cost you.
Don't blame 9/11 , the Airlines prayed for that date, not the loss of lives, but to use it as an excuse to increase $...............

In response to Kelly.  Southwest does overbook their flights just like every other airline out there.  In fact southwest is just like every other airline out there other than the fact that they do not have first class, the do not fly internationally, and they do not have as many destinations as the major carriers.   Airlines have not destroyed the service, passengers have destroyed the service in the industry.  There is absolutely no brand loyalty left other than the premium travelers who pay for the premium seats.  Customers will fly who ever charges the least so why give them more if they will fly the cheapest in the end.   People can say whatever they want, but in the end, they will buy the least expensive because if they wanted better service they would pay for first class travel.  The day southwest and all low cost carriers go out of business or the industry becomes regulated again, you will see the return of good service to the industry but until then, stop complaining because passengers have brought the industry to what it is today.

Listen, no one really buys their airline ticket because they get a snack or more leg room.  People buy tickets that fit their budget!  I think that airlines aren't willing to do what it takes to still provide service and decent pricing.  When airline execs can get fired with a multimillion dollar severance, there is something wrong.  If airlines really want to save their reputation, they should give back to those of us who have gotten them to where they are.  

I'm a Delta Million-Miler, and I'm by and large happy and loyal.  I have noticed that service, even in first, has taken a nose dive with Delta, as with all the other airlines.  One thing that's clear from the above postings is that for some people, price is king; for others, service.  Why do most airlines try to be all things to all people?  Southwest went into business to compete with cheap ground transportation like Greyhound; they've never tried (until recently) to go after the business traveller.  Why, I always wonder, should Delta try to compete with them?  Pick one niche or demographic and go after those folks with everything you have!  Let Jet Blue, US Airways, and Southwest duke it out for the business of those for whom price has the highest priority; the other airlines should quit trying and make business travelers happy.  

I'm perfectly fine with the airlines charging me $15 for checked baggage as long as they're willing to pay me $30 upon losing it.

I suggest that if there were no carry on luggage each plane could be loaded 10 minutes faster and unloaded 10 minutes faster than they are today.  thats a savings of 20 minutes for each flight.  On any given day there are approximately 30,000 commercial flights in the US.  (30,000 flights X 20 min. = 600,000 min divided by 60 min per hour = 10,000 hours per day saved.) do you suppose that US airlines could make some money on 10,000 more flying hours per day?  they don't even make an effort to control carry-on luggage.  am i the only one this makes sense to?

Why is it, if you fly business or 1st class your luggage fee is waived? but if you fly coach then you to pay?

If you fly upgrade, then you either have mileage/frequent flyer  and been bumped up, or you can afford the ridiculous price of an upgrade! Either way they are passing the cost of this to the middle/lower class.

Charge the 1st class another $20, cut back on the frequent flyer perks. Most of the 1st class flyers use corporate business which already get a discount!

I agree with Jeff. I am ever so willing to pay a little more for some legroom and service....I always try and pay for an upgrade either to First Class if it is available, or to a "premium" seat....Not willing to pay for a "premium" seat just because it is closer to the front of the plane...Give me some legroom! And I detest the thought of having to pay to check a bag. I forsee, especially with the lack of enforcement of carryons, planes being jammed with people carrying on everything but the kitchen sink...On a recent flight on a major airline, I witnessed a woman boarding with her suitcase, her backpack, her purse and her guitar case....and guess who got screwed with the lack of overhead storage...you guessed right!

Here's the secret to success in any business.  Offer great service at a good price.  Seems too simple doesn't it?  Many of our major airlines have forgotten what good service is about.  Sometimes just a simple smile and nod of understanding goes a long way toward gaining a return customer.  In my opinion most of the majors have forgotten that they offer a service.  They behave as if the passengers are nothing more than cattle to be shoveled on and off the plane with an attitude to boot!

I can only speak for Southwest and Jet Blue as I haven't flown any of the other so called discounts but they have found the key.  They know that air travel is more than taxing these days with delays, constant baggage checks and crowded airports.  I have been impressed with their ability to put themselves in the passengers place and to emphasize with him/her.  Who really needs a meal on a domestic flight anyway?  If you can't go four of five hours without eating something, bring along your own snacks.  As for me I'll take the blue potato chips,  in flight TV, and comfortable seats.  The majors haven't figured it out. They may never until they have a complete change of management and personnel attitude.

You reap what you sow.

Others have rightly summarized the bigger picture issues - air travel has become a commodity and the bigger carriers have chased any strategy imaginable in order to make a profit and have fallen victim to their own identity crises.  Southwest continues to steadily succeed because they have no such identity issues - they are a low-cost, no-frills provider that isn't terribly convenient for complex or long-distance trips, doesn't fly into big airports and doesn't fly internationally.  For the casual traveler, that's perfectly fine.  For those of us who do travel extensively on business, Southwest is more often than not an impractical solution for any one or combination of those three limitations.  I can't take 14 hours to get somewhere when another airline can get me there in 5, i have to fly internationally and I don't want to spend extra time getting to/from airports that are further away from where I need to be.

It's not elitist, it just doesn't work or requires way too much extra time/effort to make the differences in price (note I didn't say 'cost') worth it.

However, we as a flying public need to take some responsibility for this identity crisis because in our own self-centered and "treat me like I'm royalty whether I paid $100 or $10,000" has confused the crap out of the majors.  There is no single solution because there are vastly different needs - all of which have myriad different operational requirements - of travelers today.  Add in the ridiculous and fastest-ever growth of fuel and the already razor-thin profit margins that airlines operate under and it becomes the perfect storm.  That the airline industry is the one place where people think that it's their God-given right to berate and belittle anyone and everyone who might pose a threat to a successful trip and it becomes an executives worst nightmare.  

While I don't agree that the leaders of these companies are completely without blame, try and imagine if you had to run a company where people only ever wanted to pay the bare minimum, expected the moon and the stars in return for it and would upbraid you at the slightest variation from their expectations, all the while dealing with skyrocketing expenses that are beyond your control and in an economy that slows more and more every day.  The answers are not simple because the problem is not simple, and as with many of the other problems we face as a country, we'll be closer to identifying workable solutions when everyone and their dog stops trying to proclaim expertise in areas where they know little or nothing at all.

I avoid flying at all costs.  I don't really care about the price but the airlines treat passengers as if they are suckers.  Charge the correct price and treat people like customers.  

The 15 dollars for a bag is fine, but this is going to be a nightmare.  When you checkin people will have to come up with money making the line longer,  Security checkpoints, which are already bad, will be worse as more carry on need to be scanned,  and getting on and off the plane will be horrible as everyone has to look for a place to put their bags.

Hey, I just read that some of the airlines are thinking of weighing people and charging extra for over weight travelers. A person at 180 lbs pays full fare. For each 25 lbs, the passenger will have to pay a $15.00 fee. Ugh...

Charging by the pound is just dumb any way you look at it.  So you're telling me a 6’ 2” - 190 lbs. man like myself would have to pay more for the same ticket as a 5’ 0” - 95 lbs. woman?  There is also no way for the airline to know the exact amount to charge you until you got to the airport.  This would make the lines terribly long and slow.

In regards to the $15 for the first bag claimed.  This is another way of causing a huge slow down waiting for people to pay.  Since the TSA has pretty much restricted any fluids and/or pastes to be stored in your carry on bags (yes, I know you can put a VERY small amount in a clear plastic bag) you are forced to check in a bag that you would normally use as a carry on.  I don’t think I should have to be forced to pay the $15 fee because of this.

I love flying Southwest.  Nothing like saving $25!  The pleasure of arriving at the airport and receiving my general boarding card.  The delight of sitting on the floor with 200 other people under a sign that says "C".  The indoor outdoor carpeting is so comfortable and clean - I love sitting on it.  It's so exciting to watch people get bumped from the flight leaving only minutes before yours!  The anger and shouting is truly an experience I relish.

The airport looks and smells like Calcutta - sweet.  You can't get up to go to the bathroom or buy any food.  I love holding it in until we're in the air.  Then on-board, I discover only middle seats (no matter the fact that I booked three weeks ahead of time).  The seats are covered with crumbs, nuts, and refuse from previous flyers - thanks!  And the seats leather  -very comfortable!  

The tattered literature in the seatpocket is disgusting to touch - but so interesting to read.  The tray table is covered in baby food.  I like the pattern made by the childs fingers.

The staff are very friendly and funny.  There is no video so they perform the safety drill - hahaha!  They are very good at making sure my seat back is upright.

I love Coca Cola products and salted peanuts - sometimes I get two helpings!  The generosity is astounding.

Lots of garbage collection on board.  How efficient!

I returned home a few days ago after taking my very first flight.  Yes, I am in my mid-30s and I just took my first plane trip.  I prefer to drive and SEE scenery, for starters.  Secondly, I've never considered flying to be cheap transportation.  However, I needed to visit my sister in Michigan, and between gas prices and tolls, it was cheaper to buy a plane ticket - and the train ticket to reach the airport.  

Didn't know what to expect after reading all the horror stories of late.  I paid $200 for my round trip ticket with Continental; I have no idea if that is cheap; seems like it is to me.  My only big gripe about my flight: the plane from Cleveland to South Bend, IN, was 20 minutes EARLY in leaving.  I almost missed it because I stopped to grab a sandwich.  Yes, the seats were too small; thankfully I didn't have people next to me, because it didn't occur to me that I'm large enough to need two seats.  My flight attendants were nice, and I appreciated having the captains greet me as I disembarked.  

Will I fly again?  I doubt it.  I used my tax return and stimulus money to take that trip; otherwise, I'd never be able to afford to fly.  At this point, I'd rather deal with road rage.  I've already successfully driven through Chicago, Washington DC, and New York City and will take any of those cities over Boston any day!  I don't need to take another change to getting stranded, or delayed, or left behind, or treated like crap, just because I want to go somewhere.  For that amount of time, I can get there faster by driving.

The problem with giving 'old style' service and amenities, charging accordingly  and leaving it so 'that only those that could afford to fly did' and 'those that could't, wouldn't' is that the entire transportation system in the USA would collapse, unlike in Europe where they have , for decades, invested heavily in excellent rail systems (although,admittedly they don't have to deal with some of our distances).

In the USA there are no other services to replace air. We have backed ourselves into a humungous hole.

Jeff in Corona needs to realize that business travelers are all ready subsidizing his fare so shut up and pay the bag fee. I'm often flying on short notice and can't buy a 21 day or 30 day fare. I might be paying 2 to 4 times your fare. If you don't like it take the bus or drive. I'm tired of subsidizing the leisure traveler at my expense. Oh and by the way I own the business so it comes out of my pocket just like you!

I fly Jet Blue for the 30 channels of TV and the snacks, and most of the time they are cheaper than even SWA.  They don't always fly where I am going, but if they do I'm there.  Plus with the headphones on I don't have to listen to all of you whining about how all of us Americans are obese pigs!

I flew Air France on an early morning, 7AM, flight from Paris. It was a 55 minute trip BUT we were served a typical french breakfast! Some airlines still provide service and make a profit.

SWA has correctly segmented and targeted the casual traveler - paying out of his/her own pocket and has other transport options, e.g. driving/bus/train.  To meet their target customer's price sensitivity, they've designed their ops to be extremely low cost, e.g. highest capacity utilization seating and the fastest turnaround load/unload times.  So, the discount air travel segment is fairly served.

What's lacking is a premium air carrier that provides consistently premium service.  As stated earlier, all the major airlines are trying to - unsuccessfully - serve both premium and discount segments.  One of the majors or a new carrier should exclusively target the premium/business segment.  (Before deregulation, this was the only segment even served.)

First, the good old days that many of you remember were the regulated or recently deregulated airline industry. In those days, service and destination were the only things that made airlines distinct.

You also have to keep in mind that a vast majority of travelers are casual fliers. As several people have posted, business class and first class air travel is still available on traditional airlines, but you do have to pay for the service. All those services also increase turnaround time and that means lost revenue to an airline. That is the first secret of SW's success. All of thier planes are the same model. Boeing 737's. This reduces the costs of mainenance and allows then to reduce thier turnaound time.

Andd fuel isn't the only cost that is steadily increasing for airlines. As the number of flights increase, the cost of a slot at a major airport has been climbing steadily.

So, in a nutshell, this is the inevitable price of a free market. Premium service for a premium price, and low frills for the lowest fare. Seems to make sense to me.

In my opinion, low prices will only go so far.  There still have to be acceptable service standards.  I just took a flight out to Las Vegas on Spirit Airlines and I have to say it was by far the worst experience I have ever had on a flight.  There were lots of very upset passengers in the line and the ticketing counter didn't even seem to care.  In fact, many of them were down right rude.  The overbook by a bunch of seat and then force people off the plane.  They don't even provide complimentry drinks for a 5 hour flight!  They sell them with snacks for jacked up prices.  Some of the flight attendants were very rude.  I heard plenty of comments such as "This will be the last time I ever fly this airline".  I don't see how a company can stay in business if it keeps losing customers.  I'm sure many of them were so irate they will even spread the negative publicity (like I'm doing now).  For me, price only goes so far.

I am unsure why its a topic of discussion. They have the planes, we need to fly. its just like gas. We need the gas, we buy the gas. So bite the bullitt and can it.

I work in Iraq and have for the past 4 years.  I have to fly an average of 40k miles a year not by choice.  There is only one way to get home. It is so bad to travel these days, I would rather stay here in heat, eating sand, dodging bullets and sleep in a tent than travel on a plane.  It’s too much hassle and is getting expensive.  My flight that was $1200 is now $2000 and I usually get stuck in some weird country because one leg of the flight was delayed.  The few days I get with my family between missions are cut in half because of a travel delays.  Not only are they ripping our lips off at the ticket counter but they are making life suck while you wait.  4 hours stuck on the tar mat, 3 hours in a terminal, 2 hour lines at security and now I have to pay for them to loose my luggage.  Air lines can continue to beat us down there is nothing we can do about it.  We have to bend over and take it.  Any other business in the world would crumple if they ran their business the way most airlines do but they are continuing to get away with it.  I want a job where I can slap my customer around, loose their stuff, leave them stranded and over charge them to do it.  Life would be a happy place and I wouldn’t be here sucking sand.   Something needs to change.

The airlines are absolutely mercenary now, charging for everything that customers have already paid for with exorbitant fares. On United we could only check one bag under 50 lbs. in weight; anything else would cost $25-$100. Same with US Airways, and they subjcted us to a 3 hour and 53 minute flying commercial as their attendants hawked everything from over-priced food to headphones for $5.00 to a VISA card from them. It was ridiculous and insulting, especially when my husband and I tried to the flight attendants' attention so they could stop selling and do their jobs (as we had already paid them more than enough to do). The airlines have always charged more too much for tickets. They need to start realizing that people aren't going to put up with these rip-offs forever and that without the flying public they are bankrupt

Loose weight. Tickets will be cheaper.Americans carry plenty of donuts, lattes and hamburgers in their belly,thighs and butt. Look at europeans, learn something. Enough with Big is better. Look at rising cost of medical treatment, low gas mileage and higher fares. A 125 Lbs pound woman is easy on eyes too.

Agreed KD, the more your weigh , the more it costs to haul your heavy butt up in the air. If you don`t believe try to pick up a 200lbs person over your head, and then try to pick up a 100lbs person over the head .. which one was easier and took less energy ? Probably the 100lbs person, same for the ariplane, takes less energy , less fuel therefore cheaper to fly thinner people. I am surprised noone has started a "normal weight only airline" where fat lard ass people are banned.
Eat a donut less.. you will be lighter, healthier and will cost less to move your big butt .. in an airplane, car or on your legs ( if you use them anymore that is ) .. Loose weight and quit your bitchin

I am a former flight attendant and I would never go back to working with any airline now.  It would be frustrating with the limits on service and safety.  My friendliness, which is all that is left in the service that comes free, isn't going to help the passenger endure the small seat, dirty, cattle car.

Gas is on the rise and so is everything else because of that (whether it is tied to oil or not).  Raise the ticket prices and put the services back that can give humanity back its dignity.

And by the way, to those who found the only solution to the problem is for people to lose weight-- how sad and pathetic.

The major difference between the airlines - like why Southwest can turn a profit and US Air or American can't isn't because of fuel.  It's because of the way they fly.

US Air, American, Delta all fly out of a hub.  They planes that come in and sit.  That spend hours to days at the airports before take off.  They also fly everything though their hub.  If I'm going from Houston to Florida on Delta, I have to land in Alanta and board another plane.  If I'm flying Southwest, I go staight to Florida or have one minor stop where I don't get off.

The old system is broken and the big airlines don't want to change.  That is where there costs come in.

Yes, I agree Southwest could do thinks better (They are trying assigned seats I hear) but their system of using planes in general is better.

Hey KD, yep Europe is better.  I'm looking forward to at least 15% unemployment and leaving off the goverment because everyone works for them.

People hit the internet and buy the cheapest ticket, then have the gall to complain.  It's like turning a hamburger back at McDonalds because it's medium-well instead of the well-done you expected.  

As airlines continue to get undeniably crushed by fuel prices (which they still don't charge enough for by the way), not to mention frivolous & untruthful law suits (such as the free-pass-riding buffoon who claimed he was forced by the Captain to sit in the lav for, irnoically, a variety of period of times), they will continue to go down hill.  So, American citizens can either help the downfall along by writing unhelpful & populous articles like this one just to gain attention, or they can actually reward the best airline performers (great service, seat entertainment, extra leg room options for a measly 20 bucks, etc.) by lauding them and giving them more business.

As far as advertising goes, it's a cheap shot to react to advertising and then tell the airlines not to, especially airlines that have historically paid very little for advertising and taken a hit for it.    

And for the people who say they are getting ripped off by airlines, apparently you all don't read too many airline financial reports.  You've been flying for under-cost for a long time.  Ticket prices are stuck in the 1980's . . . not even including inflation . . . they are the SAME prices!!  You work in that kind of industry and see if you take the whiny belly-aching like you see on these boards all too well.  Enjoy your below-cost ticket (it's why yoo bought the ticket in the 1st place if you remember), trash the cabin like you always do with your chewed bubble gum and diapers in seat back pockets, and be quiet already.

People are pigs.

I've flown american air forever. Each time I fly I notice that the service keeps getting worse.  The nickle and dime approach to slovency will not work. it doesnt help that the exec's are rewarded by stock grants while the rank and file are let go.  My last flight was a turning point for me.  The crew was angry and rude to everyone.  Management sets the tone ... and in this case, management is lacking.
I wouldn't be surprised if they install pay toilets next ...

It's going to sound crazy but those drinks that guy is holding up look really good. If I seen this ad and had to book a flight immediately afterwards I would consider JetBlu. I've never flown JetBlu, are the drinks good?

I'm with the Delta Million-miler, The airlines need to pick a niche a stick with it.  It's like Levis now a days.  They no longer carry my color of 569's because they are trying to keep up with the teenie bopper companies like A&F (XL = Med.) and DKNY.  All their jeans are that funky striped color or have purposeful paint stains and rips in them, and now Levis is following suit.  NW, Delta and AA need to cater to higher end travelers, and SW and Jet blue need to cater to us poor saps.  I'm currently buying my Levis on eBay.

I love some of these topics  on the airline industry . I fully agree with the weight issue . Let's say a flat price fee to 150 Lbs. and 2 dollars a pound over . Fair to me as it takes extra fuel and inertia to get Big Momma at 300 lbs over more average sized people . After all how many of the fatties hang over onto the other paying customers space they paid for ? The price of obesity should be 'weighed in to'.

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