Loki

You're paying for it one way or another. This way you are only paying for what you consume and not sharing the cost of everyone else's thirst. If USAir said they were rasing the cost of tickets by $1 to cover the cost of water you'd be complaining that other people are drinking too much and you don't want to have to pay for their habits.

Andrew

Loki: You're paying for it one way or another. This way you are only paying for what you consume and not sharing the cost of everyone else's thirst. If USAir said they were rasing the cost of tickets by $1 to cover the cost of water you'd be complaining that other people are drinking too much and you don't want to have to pay for their habits.

Are you saying you think it costs USAir $1 per passenger for water and that all they are doing is passing along the cost, not making a profit? I beg to differ. If USAir were to raise ticket prices to cover the cost of offering free water to passengers, maybe they'd raise the ticket price 25 cents per passenger. No one would complain.

Let's face it: not offering free tap water and charging $2 for bottled water instead is not USAir's way of passing along a cost to the passenger - it's another way to increase profit. Like raising bag fees: it's just another profit motive. I'll stick with airlines that do not deny free water to their passengers. Clearly other airlines can afford to offer free water to their passengers.

rkkwan

If USAirways raise the fare by $1, some passengers will book with another airline which is $1 cheaper.

That's why we have these fees. Airlines need to have the lowest published fare to be competitive, as for many flyers, there is no loyalty. They WILL book the airline that's $1 cheaper.

Andrew

Yeah - but as I said, not a chance it costs USAir $1 per passenger for water. It probably costs them 4 cents for the cup, 1 cent for the ice, 20 cents for the water. Can't we just admit that USAir is now charging for water to increase their revenue, not pretend they are somehow simply passing on their costs to avoid raising fares? (Even though no other carrier charges for water of course. As I said, even easyJet gave me a free cup of water when asked.)

rkkwan

Airlines increase revenue, and also reduce the amount of drinks and food they need to carry when they start "buy on board". Save on catering cost and also weight on the aircraft. It was an issue when fuel cost was high.

Andrew

rkkwan: Airlines increase revenue, and also reduce the amount of drinks and food they need to carry when they start "buy on board". Save on catering cost and also weight on the aircraft. It was an issue when fuel cost was high.

Sorry, can't accept that USAir saves any significant money on jet fuel because they can carry less water on board because they are now selling it for $2. Were USAir passengers really drinking gallons of water before because it was free? Seems just a wee bit unlikely.

USAir deciding to charge for water is like banks increasing fees because they are trying to increase revenue - no difference. What's next? Pay to use the bathrooms? (You can always go for free at the airport - why do you need to use it on the plane?) Bring your own oxygen mask and flotation device or buy on board?

rkkwan

I am trying to explain THEIR rationale. I'm not saying they're right or wrong.

If you don't accept this explanation, how about this one?

USAirways simply wants to screw it customers. They hate them so much that they want to starve them, keep them in thirst.

Is this more likely?

herself

Like Gretchen, I bring my empty water bottle thu security, then fill it at the water fountain. I always have water on me when I travel.
Don't fight it, just figure out how to beat it.

WhereAreWe

"USAirways simply wants to screw it customers. They hate them so much that they want to starve them, keep them in thirst."

LOL. I think that's pretty much the only explanation he's going to accept.

clarkgriswold

"Obviously it is worth it to the airline or they wouldn't be doing it. "

Oh, is that why they lose moreluggage than any other airline, too? I mean, we're not talking rocket scientists running this airline.....please.

rkkwan

Simple. USAirways make money by taking away luggage from their passengers and then sell the items to thrift stores and on ebay through 3rd parties. Don't you all know about this already?

WhereAreWe

Hmm... the most recent baggage handling stats (Jan - Sept. 08) show US Airways did a better job with baggage handling than United, American and Delta. For October, they were also better than Southwest.

http://airconsumer.dot.gov/reports/atcr08.htm

Anything else you want to bring up?

rkkwan

USAirways have improved in most categories, but still have more complaints per enplaned passenger in the country.

Only one conclusion I can draw:

USAirways passengers are the most whiney!

No wonder the management have to impose all the fees, cut all the services and lose all the bags. They need to get rid of all these whiney customers!

LSky

I bring an empty water bottle along and fill it from a fountain. I've never had any problems.

clarkgriswold

Apparently USAirways woke up and realized that the hassle of dealing with the cash/change and all of the complaints was not worth it. They've stopped charging for water and soft drinks on flights.

Andrew

There's no way USAir could have continued that policy if the other major airlines didn't follow - and they didn't. I think that had been USAir's hope. Bad idea, about time they figured it out.

AmySabato

The hilarious part of all this is, you can't get on the plane with more than 3 oz. of liquids, but they let you on with a 16 oz bottle you just purchase past security. LOL

I also notice these issues, domestically anyway, do not appear to be consistent. If every city/airline allowed or disallowed the same things each time, we wouldn't all be crazy wondering, thinking, being frustrated and at times...waterless. LOL

vjpblovesitaly

What is hilarious about that?

sludick

Not correct - you just can't pass through Security with more than 100 ml (approx. 3 oz.); that does not apply to getting on the plane. Once through Security, you are able to purchase beverages from vendors whose products are monitored.

And yes, I routinely buy a large bottle of water once past Security (or bring an empty bottle through Security), so that I have plenty for the flight.

nytraveler

Makes sense to me. If a passenger brings a lot of liquid through no one knows what it is. If it comes from a shop inside the security zone it is sealed and comes from a known commercial source.