TAN Old boy,
IMHO you have it absolutely backwards (Post #178.
Airlines have to provide a product that CUSTOMERS are willing to buy. Now there is a strange concept.
Having recently concluded a three year long- distance relationship - happily she is back home - with stops in Boston, Albany, Cleveland and Columbus I think that I know whereof I speak.
Rather than bore you with the gory details, suffice it to say, I avoid AC if there is a reasonable alternative. AC (and others) thinks their flight starts at ‘push back’ and ends with ‘engines off’. Hate to tell you but, my trip starts when I push the button on the garage door closer and ends when I get my feet up at the other end.
However, let me give you a couple of examples:
(CYYZ - KCMH) Why would anyone in their right mind use AC - disinterested CSRs, no idea if flight is early or late, lousy ramp service, etc. - when they could use Chatauqua Airways (AA connector) CSR - Sir, a/c will be on the be about 15 minutes late arriving but with a quick turn-round within about 5 minutes of sked. And, sir, would you like the exit row; damn right, I am 6’5”, and they don’t assign those seats unless they see that you are capable of opening the exit in an emergency. Since the SAAB 340 is walk on, the Ramprats greet you at the ramp door and take your carry-on for Skycheck. (With AC you bloody well schlep it to the back of the -8 yourself.) When you board the a/c its “Good afternoon, sir, it is nice to have you with us again.” Damn right. Good to be back.
(CYYZ - KBOS) Since time my time wasn’t all that pressing. ( We live 100+ kliks ENE of YYZ) We drove south of YYZ ( road abuts airport property) to Buffalo. Nice lunch overlooking Niagara vineyards, cruise through border crossing ( She is US citizen, I am Canadian), no long check-in line at KBUF. We go through security (pre-11 SEP) and watch ShuttleAmerica -8 arrive. I leave and have business meeting in Canada on way home. She arrives at Hanscom KBED - doors open to car <10 mins, try that at Logan KBOS.
She is going to FL next week to pick up mom and bring her back for the hols. Have to fly AC, only direct flight, as mom, at 89, doesn’t do cattle cars. Since time is not a big deal, my wife will stay over the Saturday night ( and keep the airline marketing wizards happy ) and visit other family members.
Most airline executives, and Robert Milton is a perfect example, haven’t had an original idea in years.
TAN, the airlines were on a very slippery slope; even before 11 SEP, it just was a bigger pin going into the bubble. Just like the department stores died trying to be all things to all CUSTOMERS - there is that funny word again CUSTOMER get it - CUSTOMER comes first - we usually shop at upscale stores - never buy ‘branded’ products - but have been known to shop at WalMart and Dollar Stores.
Air Canada was like a snake swallowing Canadian. If management couldn’t see the contraction coming they just had to be dumb or stupid or both. Canada 3000 expanding with that debt load also had to have management that was dumb or stupid or both.
While I feel for the folks on the street, the companies should be allowed to go under. Since there is a demand for air travel, Phoenixes will appear, hopefully with a better model. There is competition for the business travel market; video conference meetings - that technology is improving rapidly - , fractional ownership - who is going to put up with the airport hassle on a regular, weekly, monthly basis?. High - relatively high - speed train; why would I backtrack to YYZ - 90 minute drive - to go through a 2 hour check-in hassle - for a one hour flight to Montreal CYUL - to go through an incredible hassle there when in three-quarters of an hour I can be on a comfortable train - with legroom - and get off in the city centre. If both of us are going for, say, the weekend we drive - not a contest.
To finish my rant: CUSTOMER SERVICE at a reasonable price and then the shareholders can expect to be happy if not (let) someone else will do the job.