Tuesday, May 22, 2007
ARE SEAT BELTS EXTRA?
FROM OUR 5:30 NEWS ON MAY 22ND:
10-DOLLAR AIRFARES?
THAT'S WHAT "SKYBUS"...A NEW DISCOUNT AIRLINE...IS OFFERING.
SKYBUS MADE ITS FIRST FLIGHT THIS MORNING FROM COLUMBUS OHIO TO BURBANK, CALIFORNIA.
THE AIRLINE PLANS TO SURVIVE BY SELLING EVERYTHING FROM FOOD TO PILLOWS.
BY THE WAY, ONLY TEN 10-DOLLAR SEATS ARE AVAILABLE ON EACH FLIGHT.
AND NO, THEY DON'T FLY OUT OF BRADLEY.
---------
Before we go any further, please know that my wife is a longtime flight attendant with a major airline. And boy, does she have stories! But, alas, they’re subject to husband-wife confidentiality.
But even she will tell you the purpose of any flight is to get you from Point A to Point B. The “services”…food, drink, movies…are the extras offered on any given route to keep up with the competition.
No competition on a particular route? Enjoy the peanuts and soft drinks.
Flying depends largely on how you want to roll (I like saying that) and what you can afford.
First class on certain flights is one of life’s true pleasures, but may cost you more than a good used Cadillac.
Skybus sounds like…well…a bus with wings.
But if it gets you where you want to go...get going!
If you’re lucky enough to get one of those 10-dollar fares, you might want to bring some extra cash.
They charge 5-bucks each for the first 2 bags you want to check...50-dollars for additional checked luggage.
Want to board early? 10-dollars.
Food and drink? Extra, and don’t even think of bringing your own food on board. That’s a Skybus no-no.
Pillow and blanket? Gotta buy them, but they’re yours forever. Redecorate the bedroom!
When you buy your ticket, make sure you have no second thoughts, because there are no refunds.
And you’ll need a computer to buy that ticket, because they don’t have a phone number. You deal with the website.
So a 10-dollar fare can actually cost you 20...or 50...or 150. It’s up to you. Eat first and travel light.
By the way, Skybus’s closest airport to Connecticut is Portsmouth, N.H.
Travel can be one of the great pleasures of life. It’s a privilege to see new places, meet new people, open up to new ideas and ways of doing things. So if a little more competition opens the doors to travel for those who were priced out, that’s dandy.
And no matter which airline you choose to fly, please remember: always be nice to your flight attendant. Their husbands, wives and significant others really appreciate it when they get home from a long trip without a horror story.
10-DOLLAR AIRFARES?
THAT'S WHAT "SKYBUS"...A NEW DISCOUNT AIRLINE...IS OFFERING.
SKYBUS MADE ITS FIRST FLIGHT THIS MORNING FROM COLUMBUS OHIO TO BURBANK, CALIFORNIA.
THE AIRLINE PLANS TO SURVIVE BY SELLING EVERYTHING FROM FOOD TO PILLOWS.
BY THE WAY, ONLY TEN 10-DOLLAR SEATS ARE AVAILABLE ON EACH FLIGHT.
AND NO, THEY DON'T FLY OUT OF BRADLEY.
---------
Before we go any further, please know that my wife is a longtime flight attendant with a major airline. And boy, does she have stories! But, alas, they’re subject to husband-wife confidentiality.
But even she will tell you the purpose of any flight is to get you from Point A to Point B. The “services”…food, drink, movies…are the extras offered on any given route to keep up with the competition.
No competition on a particular route? Enjoy the peanuts and soft drinks.
Flying depends largely on how you want to roll (I like saying that) and what you can afford.
First class on certain flights is one of life’s true pleasures, but may cost you more than a good used Cadillac.
Skybus sounds like…well…a bus with wings.
But if it gets you where you want to go...get going!
If you’re lucky enough to get one of those 10-dollar fares, you might want to bring some extra cash.
They charge 5-bucks each for the first 2 bags you want to check...50-dollars for additional checked luggage.
Want to board early? 10-dollars.
Food and drink? Extra, and don’t even think of bringing your own food on board. That’s a Skybus no-no.
Pillow and blanket? Gotta buy them, but they’re yours forever. Redecorate the bedroom!
When you buy your ticket, make sure you have no second thoughts, because there are no refunds.
And you’ll need a computer to buy that ticket, because they don’t have a phone number. You deal with the website.
So a 10-dollar fare can actually cost you 20...or 50...or 150. It’s up to you. Eat first and travel light.
By the way, Skybus’s closest airport to Connecticut is Portsmouth, N.H.
Travel can be one of the great pleasures of life. It’s a privilege to see new places, meet new people, open up to new ideas and ways of doing things. So if a little more competition opens the doors to travel for those who were priced out, that’s dandy.
And no matter which airline you choose to fly, please remember: always be nice to your flight attendant. Their husbands, wives and significant others really appreciate it when they get home from a long trip without a horror story.
Posted at 10:37 PM by Gerry
4 Comments:
Gerry -
I really appreciate your writing style.
Its breezy and fun to read.
Look forward to reading your blog more often.
- Mike
You are so right, Gerry. The flight attendants are also responsible for not only keeping the peace in the passenger compartment, but summoning help from the crew, God forbid, if needed.
Thank you for the shout out of my SOX blog, and how about those Sox?? So far '07 has been really nice! And when I (all of us) watch you on the news during Kevin's and Perseph's sports segments, I KNOW that you remember your sports roots, and the 2007 baseball season so far, and it's like you're itching to comment.....that's called Red Sox Forever. You're a professional, though (yes, you are!). And we love it!
Be well, and be there when we watch the news. It wouldn't be the same without you. No way, no how, not ever. Peter Naboicheck, right here in Farmington.
Hi Gerry,
Love your blogs. They are fun to read.
Mike
Avon
Thank you all!
It's been fun writing for something other than the newscasts.
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