Read in USA Today that Continental is going to begin charging $4 for beer and wine in coach on its trans-atlantic flights.<BR><BR>Guess how long it will be for others to match?<BR><BR>In the interim, don't fly them.

What are you some kind of alcoholic? Big deal, most people have a couple of drinks, total $8 each way. I choose an airline based on the best fare AND the best connection and schedule to meet my needs, not on the cost of drinks. Sober up!

Are you such a cheapskate or a heavy drinker?? If you decide on an airline based on the cost of their alcoholic beverages, you need help!<BR>Are you aware that the headsets & multiple movies are free in coach or would you rather get drunk?

You goodie-goodies can go to hell. I think this stinks. <BR><BR>Though I must say, I saw it coming. I've noticed that flight attendants have been much more stingy with the drinks since the airlines started having financial problems. On a recent cross-country Delta flight, I was refused a 3rd drink in first class as I was quietly reading.<BR><BR>So maybe it's for the better that they charge. I bet they'll serve me that 3rd drink when they see the cash in my hand.<BR><BR>Maybe they'll start charging for the food. That'd be pretty damn funny.

Let's see. Last year I flew Continental to Ireland and my fare was between $300-400 pp cheaper than the least expensive flights on all other airlines. I'd have to drink a whole lot of Guinness to make up that difference.<BR><BR>Bill

I think they should provide one free glass of wine or beer with dinner and charge $25 for every drink otherwise. You don't get the drink if you don't eat the food. <BR><BR>Not really, but you get my point. <BR><BR>And frankly, I'd be happy to purchase a meal if it reduced airfares and gave me some choice as to whether I wanted their food or could bring my own. It's not like this was a cruise.

I don't use the headsets or watch the movie...can I have another beer?

If I don't bring a carry-on and only check one bag under 20 lbs. can I get an extra drink? <BR><BR>What if you are two big to fit into a single seat and have to buy two seats, do you get two drinks before you have to pay? And after your free drinks are up do you have to pay double for the drink you buy, after all you are in two seats at this point!

Lets see, weve been asked to not fly Continental, Delta, Northwest, United and American. Does not leave us much choice does it.<BR>

It would make more sense to pay for the food, and ALL beverages than to tip servers on ground.<BR>

Next thing you know, flight attendants will be put back to below minimum wage, and they'll be expected to make it off tips. Everything they offer will be sold, and it will no longer be important if you know how to evacuate the plane in an emergency.<BR><BR>"You want pretzels with that Heineken?"<BR>

Here in NYC a glass of wine starts around $9 - martini, $12 - a really good one, $15, an authentic margarita (not frozen) - $12. PUsh come to shove - bring your own and tell them you won't drink their swill. I remeber a guy at Christmas time had his own flask of whiskey - which he generously shared.

I think I have a better reason. I recently flew to Amsterdam on Continental & it was on a very old 727 or 747(maybe). It was small & cramped & very uncomfortable to say the least. I can't believe they use that plane on a Trans-atlantic flight.

There is a world of difference between the size of a 727 & a 747. (Don't believe Continental has any 727's or 747's still in service!) <BR>Maybe you had too many free drinks!!!

The plane was either a 767-200 or possibly a 757-200

Speaking of beverages and snacks on airlines...<BR><BR>A guy is sitting on an aisle seat in a 767 on his way to London. As a flight attendant wheels the beverage/snack cart by his seat, he hears a voice say "Nice tie." <BR><BR>Looking up, he expects to see the flight attendant looking down at him but, to his surprise, she's looking the other way, serving the person across the aisle. So he's puzzled. Who made that comment? <BR><BR>An hour later, as another flight attendant is wheeling a beverage/snack cart by his seat, he hears a voice say "Nice shirt." This time, he quickly jerks his head up to see if it's the flight attendant this time but, once again, the flight attendant is looking the other other way, serving the person across the aisle. So, again, he's very puzzled. Who is making these comments? <BR><BR>Another hours goes by and this time, when he sees a flight attendant coming down the aisle with the beverage/snack cart, he's ready. As it approaches him, he keeps an eye on the flight attendant. She asks him what he wants to drink and he asks for a beer. No comments. She hands him the beer and then turns to ask the person across the aisle what he wants. Once again, he hears something, "Nice pants", and notices it seems to be coming right from the cart itself so now he's really puzzled. <BR><BR>"Excuse me," he says to the flight attendant as she's turning back toward him, "I don't know quite how to put this, but there's...there's a voice that seems to be coming from that cart right there. Can please you tell me what is going on?" <BR><BR>"A voice coming from the cart? What is it saying?" <BR><BR>"Oh, things like 'nice tie' and 'nice shirt'."<BR><BR>"Ah, that's coming from the peanuts. They're complimentary." <BR>

I just got back from Paris on Continental. I had read about them discontinuing the free alcohol in coach as of 7-1. According to what I had read in our local paper Continental decided to put the money saved into upgrading their meals. After what I was served going over & coming back I'd say I agree with that. There wasn't enough booze on the whole plane to make me think that food was good. Anyway, isn't it better not to have alcohol on those long flights? I found the attendants very generous with the soft drinks & waters. If you are into the alcohol then can't you bring your own? I saw a shop in Paris selling those miniature bottles. If FREE is the issue would you rather they jack up the ticket price & still give free drinks? You know they will find a way to cover costs. Maybe we could ask for special fares, food, non-food, alcohol, non-alcohol? I agree that flying decisions should not be made solely by the gut.

Read in USA today that yyy is the world's cheapest person. What is so magic about not charging for alcoholic drinks on international flights? I don't drink when I fly and I am tired of subsidizing yyy's alcoholic tendencies. I am also tired of my tax dollars financing bail-outs. I wish food and drinks were of higher quality and paid for a la carte. Wake-up and smell the coffee (still free!, but not because of me.)

Airline food and beverage service share the same financial incentives as capitated HMO's: the lowest bidder and the lowest acceptable quality. Nothing is "free", these items are paid for by your airfare. There is no incentive for the airline to spend more money. I agree that it would be better to offer higher quality on an a la carte basis. And that "Lloyds Barbeque" on some Continental flights is especially bad considered they are a Texas-based airline.

Capo,<BR><BR>Chirp<BR><BR>Chirp<BR><BR>Chirp<BR><B R><BR>That may be your worst material to date.<BR>There goes 3 minutes of my life I'll never get back.