Precipitating problems

We all know that due to the volatile pricing of fuel, the airline industry has been suffering losses over the not so recent years. The big league members: British Air, Northwest, KLM, Air France, Singapore Air, Japan Air and Thai Airways, among them, held the fort long enough until the advent of the budget airlines. Going the most practical route, some went into mergers, like Northwest with Delta.

Faced with the restive pilots and cabin crews, the mainstream airlines now employ alternative means to compete with the budget airlines. At first, it was a joke among travelers that with the budget airlines in vogue, one will have to pay to use the lavatory in flight. Well, that may be true now…even among the big airlines. They have cut cost on ticket upon purchase by trimming it down to basics, then you pay add-ons for luggage, premium seat (yes, you will have to pay if you insist on an aisle seat!), food and beverage, getting ticket by phone as against online purchase, etc.

I remember how surprised I was when I got to the Seattle-Tacoma airport, late last year, and handed in my e-ticket to the airline personnel at the perimeter of the check-in counters. I knew that there was no queuing for online check-in, which I did. However, I did not report my luggage, knowing I might be overweight. (I was! I paid $90.00 for my excess!) Well, I was charged $5.00 more for not checking my luggage online. That’s the way the ball rolls, I soon found out.

Minimizing manhours, passengers in western airports (that includes Australia, where I’d been in September of last year) are required to check-in online at computer terminals just before the line for the luggage check-in. All you do is present your boarding pass to the counter personnel along with your luggage. You even have the choice of seats when you encode for your boarding pass, which you can have if you check-in early enough.

Another precipitating problem with the looming strikes of airline workers in airports like London’s Heathrow, is the possibility of trimming down cabin crew members per flight. Oh dear, where to get that blanket as the air conditioning has become colder at mid-flight? Now, let’s see, shall I go all the way to the back galley for a nice cup of coffee? Will there be a fresh brew? Or is it instant coffee nowadays? Tsk, tsk, I do feel the pangs. It’s dinner time. Are they getting the trolleys to do the rounds so I could buy a sandwich and some juice?

Brace yourself for such scenarios. Unless you are willing to pay the premium price of a bed in Business Class, or the rare First Class. Even then, the perks in these levels may be likewise brought down to a minimum. Airlines are conscious of every kilo into the hold or in the cabins. Anything versus fuel worth its weight in gold translates into reduction, reduction and more reduction. Otherwise, it would mean an increase in tariffs and consequently, more expensive plane fares.

In the meantime, this is still lurking in the horizon. So, enjoy what perks you have. Travel safely now.