Air Fares

[stickroe]

It's getting depressing the sight of these high airfares. I realize fuel prices are up, but all these other ridiculous charges are killing us. Somehow we have got to bring these airlines to their knees so we can enjoy going on vacation once a year and not stressing over the price.

[Timeshare Von]

Bring them to their knees? I think they already are and that's why you're seeing the escalating prices on airfares.

[Holly]

Actually, inflation-adjusted airfares are lower than they were 20 years ago.

Originally Posted by stickroe

It's getting depressing the sight of these high airfares. I realize fuel prices are up, but all these other ridiculous charges are killing us. Somehow we have got to bring these airlines to their knees so we can enjoy going on vacation once a year and not stressing over the price.

[Keitht]

Millions of seats, therefore 10s of thousands of flights, are being cancelled over the winter months by airlines worldwide. All that will do is push prices up even further.
It's a vicious circle of price increase, reduced sales, reduced profits followed by price increases in a vain attempt to make more money.

[jjking42]

we are now driving for all vacations. 1 long driver a year
Even at 4.00 a gallon its a lot cheaper driving

we drove dallas to orlando this year and will drive Dallas to cocoa beach next year

all other trips will need to be under 600 miles

[azsunluvr]

Originally Posted by stickroe

It's getting depressing the sight of these high airfares. I realize fuel prices are up, but all these other ridiculous charges are killing us. Somehow we have got to bring these airlines to their knees so we can enjoy going on vacation once a year and not stressing over the price.

The airlines are just trying to stay afloat. I work for an airline and am happy every day that I still have a job. I keep wondering when the vicious circle will end. Will we end up with flying only available to the rich again? It seems to be headed that direction. Fuel prices have got to get under control so we can get the cycle heading back to lower prices.

[california-bighorn]

Originally Posted by stickroe

It's getting depressing the sight of these high airfares. I realize fuel prices are up, but all these other ridiculous charges are killing us. Somehow we have got to bring these airlines to their knees so we can enjoy going on vacation once a year and not stressing over the price.

I prefer to have the "ridiculous charges" applied only to those who use the service instead of having them built in to the fare. For example, I never watch the on board movie and most of the time can get by without a meal, so I think it is fair to only charge those who want that service.
Paying for checking my 1st piece of luggage is taking some getting used to, but I understand the reasoning and I'll adjust. I almost always take my diving equipment with me on vacation so the bag containing that now costs me $15 to $25. If I rent the same gear at my location, it usually costs $25 per day. So if I look at it as paying the airline $25 against $150 ($25 x 6 days) to use equipment I'm not familar with, it's still a no brainer.

Just like everyone else, I don't like paying increases in travel, but as Holly pointed out, when adjusted for inflation, airfare (and gasoline) are a better deal today than they were years ago.

[LisaRex]

Not sure what kind of pressure you expect to exert on the airlines to get them to drop their prices. You can be depressed and frustrated all you want but as long as oil remains high (doubled vs. a year ago), the cost of airfare will remain high. They are directly proportional.

[Danette]

Originally Posted by california-bighorn

I almost always take my diving equipment with me on vacation so the bag containing that now costs me $15 to $25. If I rent the same gear at my location, it usually costs $25 per day. So if I look at it as paying the airline $25 against $150 ($25 x 6 days) to use equipment I'm not familar with, it's still a no brainer.

I have been wondering how other divers are dealing with the restrictions. When we went to Cabo last month (Alaska Air) we were able to check one bag at no additional charge - all of our equipment - and threw a couple changes of clothes in a carry-on. I have no desire to use someone else's equipment and had not considered the rental fee at the other end - thanks for reminding me I am still ahead of the game!

Danette

[LisaRex]

Sports Express is a company that specializes in shipping sports equipment, such as golf bags and skis, so you don't have to lug them through the airport. I used them when we stayed in Maui in '04. They didn't pick up my bags at the designated time, but the concierge at the hotel worked with them to get my bags to me a day later. They were reasonably priced back them, but not sure how they are today.

http://www.sportsexpress.com/

[Carolinian]

SkyEurope s CEO just had a great article in his airline magazine explaining why they were ending the rediculous practice of adding a fuel surcharge, and would henceforth quote all fares from the beginning inclusive of taxes, airport fees, and surcharges.

A recent sale had 88,000 of those tickets priced at 8 euros, all-in.

[rsnash]

Originally Posted by california-bighorn

Paying for checking my 1st piece of luggage is taking some getting used to, but I understand the reasoning and I'll adjust. I almost always take my diving equipment with me on vacation so the bag containing that now costs me $15 to $25. If I rent the same gear at my location, it usually costs $25 per day. So if I look at it as paying the airline $25 against $150 ($25 x 6 days) to use equipment I'm not familar with, it's still a no brainer.

Once we start paying to check even the first bag, it would be more cost effective to just ship most stuff. Bring a carry on with 1-2 days worth of clothes jic the bag doesn't make it to the resort before you do. But, if you plan ahead and ship several days before you leave, it should be there waiting. Double check with your destination for specifics, but for the most part you address it to "Guest: YOUR NAME, checking in on DATE" and the physical address of destination (i.e. don't send to the local office or "mailing address"). Use a traceable method, and save money by sending ground a week ahead of time over overnight air.

[suesam]

I just booked, this morning, a Feb flight to Cancun from O'hare. This is the fourth time in 3 years. The most we paid in the past was approx $350. This morning it was $837.50!!!!! Oh my gosh!!! I have an exchange request in for California for 4 of us next summer, I think I may have to change that. We can't afford the flights for 4 of us if the prices are going to keep increasing like this! Eeek.

Sue

[california-bighorn]

Originally Posted by rsnash

Once we start paying to check even the first bag, it would be more cost effective to just ship most stuff. Bring a carry on with 1-2 days worth of clothes jic the bag doesn't make it to the resort before you do. But, if you plan ahead and ship several days before you leave, it should be there waiting. Double check with your destination for specifics, but for the most part you address it to "Guest: YOUR NAME, checking in on DATE" and the physical address of destination (i.e. don't send to the local office or "mailing address"). Use a traceable method, and save money by sending ground a week ahead of time over overnight air.

The trouble with shipping heavy items like scuba gear is the cost. I just checked the UPS website and the cost to ship 40 lbs to Hawaii using the cheapest delivery of "ground" is $139.

While in Waikiki last month I wanted to ship 12 boxes of candy to my office. The cost of just shipping from the ABC store was around $40 so we just checked another bag and threw all the good stuff we bought into it.

[Liz Wolf-Spada]

If it will fit in a USPS Priority Flat Rate Box it isn't done by weight.
Liz