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-   -   Would You Pay $7 for a Blanket and Pill When Flying? (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/would-you-pay-7-for-a-blanket-and-pill-when-flying-825721/)

Palenque Feb 9th, 2010 09:32 AM

Would You Pay $7 for a Blanket and Pill When Flying?
 
Supposed this may have been talked about in the past several days when i was not around but if not American Airlines idea to charge passengers $7 to have a blanket and a pillow during flight is just WRONG, wrong, wrong!

Would anyone pay $7 for a blanet and or a pillow?

(First-class passengers get free blankets and pillows)

TDudette Feb 9th, 2010 09:43 AM

Airlines are out of their minds. If the goal is to keep people from flying, they are going about it correctly. Charge for everything, be late....

Scotty, beam me up!

eliza61 Feb 9th, 2010 09:51 AM

Actually it's $8.00 bucks LOL. Heard this, this morning on my local news.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?se...ess&id=7266235

I plan on taking my large shawl and a jacket on my next flight. Get those quarters ready folks, we are one step away from pay toilets.

hetismij Feb 9th, 2010 10:01 AM

There are enough people who lug full sized pillows on board, along with all the other bags and bits they seem to think meet carry-on restrictions, as it is. All this will do is encourage more of them.

Palenque Feb 9th, 2010 10:06 AM

so maybe the airline savings will be more in not having to have blanets and pillows aboard - and their weight, etc.

Mucky Feb 9th, 2010 10:31 AM

Crikey, they'll be charging for seats next !!!!

suec1 Feb 9th, 2010 10:38 AM

International?

Dayenu Feb 9th, 2010 10:47 AM

I would bring something from home... maybe roll a sweater instead of a pillow, a jacket for blanket.

How much are those peanuts?

Hey, I have an idea! I'd love a foot massage! Why don't they offer them?

Palenque Feb 9th, 2010 10:49 AM

International? Good question as rules are often different - like free booze on most international flights - at least wine and beer but not domestic

but i thought i heard it applied also to international flights but not +

jkbritt Feb 9th, 2010 10:53 AM

If I pay 8.00, can I keep them? Are they new or re-used? If re-used, and I get sick from using it, are they libel?

Christina Feb 9th, 2010 12:32 PM

No, I wouldn't, that is too expensive. I never take their blankets, anyway. It's not that cold in an airplane, you have your clothes on, and I always am wearing a sweater, anyway, which I can take on or off depending on the temp. I do use their pillows (or try to) a little, but wouldn't pay 7-8$ for one. I do have an inflatable neck pillow, which doesn't work that well anyway, so I'd probalby just use it or roll up my sweater.

It wouldn't save any weight if people brought on their own, anyway. I think they are doing it just to make money, that's all. The price point is awfully high, though, even if they have a captive audience. I'd think $5 would be a better idea, and they'd sell more that way, also -- it just seems a lot different than $8.

I actually thought they were selling sleeping pills or something from your headline, and maybe I would pay $8 for some kind of pills.

Palenque Feb 9th, 2010 12:35 PM

Christina - now you've hit on a money-making aspect - sleeping pills, Valium, Oxycodeine - all at $7-8 a pop - yup i would love that option too - of course i meant Pillow and dropped the ow by mistake

suze Feb 9th, 2010 01:06 PM

Nope I wouldn't. But it would encourage me to go ahead and buy a travel pillow and pashima of my own to tote onboard. Yes I would pay for pharmaceuticals! I've always said they should pipe in nitrous oxide thru the "fresh" air system. You'd have a MUCH happier plane full of passengers.

Underhill Feb 9th, 2010 01:41 PM

Don't forget that you'll have to use a credit card to rent that pillow and blanket! No more cash, which I imagine will make life easier for the cabin attendants--they won't have to remember who needs change.

I think the airlines are hoping we're all too young to remember the good ol' days when flying was enjoyable and you just had to pay for the ticket.

suze Feb 9th, 2010 01:49 PM

I don't mind the "cashless" flights. It really is easier for everyone, once you're used to the idea.

sherhatfield Feb 9th, 2010 02:58 PM

I really thought you were talking about a sleeping pill or something based on the title. THAT, I'd pay for! But for just a plain ol' blanket & pillow? No way. :)

P_M Feb 9th, 2010 03:04 PM

Pal, AA hasn't offered free booze on international flights since October 31, 2002. The reason I know this date is because I flew to Zurich on AA on Nov 1, 2002 and they told us it was the first day that booze was no longer free.

To answer your question, heck no!! This kind of thing really ticks me off.

Melnq8 Feb 9th, 2010 03:17 PM

Nope. I always travel with a pashmina shawl, which takes up very little space in my bag. I don't use airline pillows. I just don't have a need for them. They're the first thing I put in the overhead bin or stash under the seat.

elsiejune Feb 9th, 2010 04:14 PM

Pharmaceuticals, yes...blankets & pillows, no. I think Eliza is on to something, the real money can be made in charging to use the toilets! EJ

MelJ Feb 9th, 2010 05:00 PM

I wear a pashmina and carry a little down-filled pillow, so they can keep the blanket. But the pill? If it's gonna send me someplace happy, it's worth the $8.00 :0


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