Airlines: The 800 Lb. Sabre-tooth Tiger Stalks Us; The Reticulated Python Strangles Us (March 25, 2024)
. . .
J “Our gravest concern may be hoping and praying the planes stay in the air long enough to get us there.”
. . .
K “Alaska Airlines would not refund the money directly and immediately. They offered to refund it to some digital wallet to use for a later purchase. A not insubstantial number of folks will not use the digital dollars . . . which rewards and benefits Alaska Airlines. They did transfer the funds, but the funds did not transfer. After an inquiry, I was told that I had to open the e-mail and transfer the funds myself to the wallet. But the e-mail was written so that the spam filter would catch it and divert it. And then when I retrieved it from spam, the time to transfer the funds had expired. After a long telephone delay, I was able to secure another e-mail yet had to go to my spam file and transfer the digital dollars immediately to my wallet for a later purchase. She responded that she does not make policy and . . . hopes I have a nice day. She was sincere. And handcuffed. She is as much a victim.”
. . .
J “American Airlines requires one to pay a fee up front that is not refunded to preserve the right later to seek a refund to the original form of payment. But at least the refund is made to the original form of payment. For a substantial payment. Two-hundred and twenty dollars, US ($220.00), for a local flight.”
. . .
K “A year ago, Alaska airlines began charging for the exit row seats. That is the norm in the industry. For many decades, Alaska Airlines has otherwise treated me quite well and may be the best airline of the flock today. And Alaska Airlines still believes that a mile is a mile is a mile is a mile in their frequent flier plan.”
J “They need to treat their employees far better than they have recently.”
. . .
J “And what about Delta . . . .”
. . .
K “And what about United . . . .”
J “The President of United Airlines should be banned from riding in the United Airlines corporate jet and should instead should be required to fly the friendly skies of United.”
. . .
J “And what about Frontier . . . .”
. . .
K “And what about Southwest . . . .”
. . .
J “Remember during Covid when the government gave tens of billions of dollars to the airlines to survive. One airline executive defiantly stated to Congress that he would not let the government take an economic interest in the airline. As long as the airline owns Congress, the airline can keep the government from obtaining an ownership interest in the airline.”
K “And the money was used largely for stock buy backs that benefited the cabal. And were once illegal.”
. . .
J “And what about . . . .”
K “They all behave criminally and abhorrently.”
. . .
J “When an airline charges for access to the bathroom on the plane, take note. That may be a bridge too far.”
K “Katie bar the door, as they say. You know that possible revenue source is regularly discussed in the airline C-suite.”
J “Before discussing stock buy backs.”
[See the e-commentary at “Recurring Revenue”: Inserting A Tentacle Into Every Pocket (August 29, 2022), Stalking The Stalking Saber-toothed Tiger (June 12, 2023), Go Away Go Daddy (December 18, 2023), Volkswagen (VW). The Bottom Half Of The German Engineering Class Must Go Somewhere. Boeing? (July 1, 2019), Fraudulent Frequent Flying Fiascos. Oh, And Happy Canada Day and Independence Day! (July 2, 2018), Going The Extra Mile: Today’s Airline Mileage Programs (August 19, 2013), China Invaded . . . And Won! Oh Well. (January 29, 2024) and over nineteen years ago at An Airline (Partial) Survival Guide (January 24, 2005).]
Bumper stickers of the week:
Full refund to original form of payment: $220.
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