Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Leavin' on a Jet Plane -- Maybe
The Iraqis have held a successful election (we hope). The Pope is in the hospital. W is about to unravel the retirement hopes of millions of Americans. But wait -- there's really big news: the Delta Shuttle has stopped guaranteeing seats to flyers in the the NY-Boston-Washington triangle.
Once there was a time when you could walk up to the counter and if the plane was full, they'd roll out another one. That, along with free booze, was justification for paying $400+ for a 35- mintue flight. Now that time has passed. If the plane you want is full, you have to wait a full 60 minutes for the next one. Don't they realize how much I bill for an hour of my time?
I've been hostage to the USAir Shuttle for several years now courtesy of a contract with my employer that keeps the cost per flight under $200. US Air ended the seat guarantee a few years ago. I was told by an almost helpful gate agent that the cut back was because of the cost of keeping crews on standby. Whatever the excuse, it certainly makes Amtrak look better for my Boston to New York jaunts (free booze not withstanding). If the reelection wasn't evidence enough, we now know for sure that civilization is crumbling before our eyes.
Once there was a time when you could walk up to the counter and if the plane was full, they'd roll out another one. That, along with free booze, was justification for paying $400+ for a 35- mintue flight. Now that time has passed. If the plane you want is full, you have to wait a full 60 minutes for the next one. Don't they realize how much I bill for an hour of my time?
I've been hostage to the USAir Shuttle for several years now courtesy of a contract with my employer that keeps the cost per flight under $200. US Air ended the seat guarantee a few years ago. I was told by an almost helpful gate agent that the cut back was because of the cost of keeping crews on standby. Whatever the excuse, it certainly makes Amtrak look better for my Boston to New York jaunts (free booze not withstanding). If the reelection wasn't evidence enough, we now know for sure that civilization is crumbling before our eyes.
