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> There wasn't room in the budget for comfort items like food on the plane, which back then was free. I can't go full grumpy old man mode cause I'm only 27, but
by rflrob 8y ago
> There wasn't room in the budget for comfort items like food on the plane, which back then was free. I can't go full grumpy old man mode cause I'm only 27, but damn does it feel like it will only get shittier and shittier to be poor in this country.
As much as I lament the cattle-car nature of modern air travel, it's worth pointing out that the food was never "free", it was just rolled into the price of the ticket. On an inflation adjusted basis, the average flight costs about 30% less now than it did in 1995[0]. Some of that is surely more efficient planes and logistics, but some of that is the airlines charging only the people who want an $8 cheese and cracker pack, rather than giving everyone a salisbury steak. It's a sad fact, but a lot of people buy their tickets based on the list price rather than a holistic assessment of value, which means that the airlines cut corners on service to get the list price as low as possible.
[0] https://www.transtats.bts.gov/AIRFARES/ https://www.transtats.bts.gov/AIRFARES/
- monksy 8y agoThe problem is that you don't have an equal comparison of what you get for that price and airlines have been doing this for a long time. They used to refuse to show the price of the flight with tax and fuel until the government forced them to. Now they're trying to play the same game with seat assignments, your carry on, and checked bags.
- prostoalex 8y agoWhy shouldn’t those who travel without checked luggage should get some kind of discount? They don’t tie up the check-in line, requiring the presence of the agents and bag handlers, they do not require the labor of the baggage handler on the other end of the trip and anywhere in the interim. Fuel cost savings are likely minimal, but labor costs at the airports can add up fast.