Bad Air
We seem to be closing in on a perfect storm of air travel dissatisfaction in this country: Complaints soar at U.S. airlines
Late flights and lost bags, to say nothing of higher fares, are making air travelers grumpy, an annual survey of airline quality says.
The industry posted declines last year in every area of the Airline Quality Rating, amid rising fuel prices, safety problems and bankruptcy filings that shut down three carriers last week alone.
The biggest change was in the rate of consumer complaints, up 60 percent overall. The rate more than doubled at US Airways and Comair, and rose for 15 of the 16 airlines included in the study. The exception was Mesa Airlines.
On-time arrivals dropped for the fifth straight year, with more than one-quarter of all flights late, according to the survey. The rates of passengers bumped from overbooked flights and bags lost, stolen or damaged also jumped in 2007.
"The trend is bad, and it doesn't look like it gets any better," said Dean Headley, an associate professor at Wichita State University and co-author of the study.
The survey results mesh with the spate of problems that have beset U.S. carriers, starting with surging fuel costs, Headley said.
ATA Airlines, Aloha Airlines and Skybus stopped flying just last week because of financial pressures. Major airlines have slashed jobs and passenger amenities while adding fees for second bags, traveling with pets and booking tickets by phone.
It is not surprising that people responded to higher prices and more frequent delays by complaining more, Headley said.
Well, I don't know about anyone else but my last four or five times flying were such lousy experiences I've been avoiding air travel when at all possible. As a result I've put a lot more miles on the old auto, but the lack of pointless aggravation is worth the back pain of a ten hour road trip…more than worth it really.
When you factor in the degree to which the airlines seem to be trying to make their flights unpleasant it is a wonder so many American are still flying at all. I've taken the hint and did something I've never done before: I've just booked a trip to Washington D.C. from the Twin Cities on Amtrak. Yes, it is slower and more expensive. No, it wouldn't be an option for most people travelling on business. Yes, I know the trains in this day and age can often be delayed. But, actually, I couldn't care less. The prospect of taking a trip while NOT being treated like a herd animal is positively intoxicating. Lord knows the actual trip will not live up to the romance I have in my head concerning rail travel (a heady mix of the Orient Express and a little Some Like It Hot), but the sad fact is it doesn't have to be much to outclass the average American airline by a country mile.
I'm pretty sure this makes me an airline customer lost. The question now is if Amtrak can make me a return customer.
Business | Rich Horton Sunday, 6 April , 2008
By lynndh, Monday, 7 April , 2008 @ 9:34 am
Last year I went by Amtrak round trip from Denver to Layfayette, IN. It was much much cheaper than either flying or driving. The seat were very confortable, and large, like old first class planes. Food was not bad (to actually good), though a tad expensive. It was relaxing and enjoyable. I am going to do the same thing this year, and my brother is going to come from NM, meet me and we are going on to DC.
My one real complaint is what you pointed out, time. Amtrak is a second cousin on the tracks and freight trains have the right of way, so we were delayed. But then again planes are often delayed too.
By Jim Piper, Monday, 7 April , 2008 @ 9:45 am
There is another solution, fly yourself. I own a 4 place 150 mph airplane, I can fly from S. California to Reno to visit family much faster than the airlines, and the trip itself is scenic and pleasurable. And I have never lost my baggage, or had TSA hassles, or missed a connection. Yeah, the initial expense is atrocious, but I manage on an annual salary of ~$50,000, living in S. California, so you don’t have to be rich. Last year, flew to North Carolina, stopped where I wanted, saw what I wanted, and met some wonderful people. Downside, it can expensive. Weather can bite, if I have to be back in no uncertain terms, I have to have a backup plan. Of course, the airlines have the same disadvantages (granting they are much cheaper on longer flights, say 500 miles or more). You don’t have to be a John Travolta to own an airplane, it can be reasonable to astronomical, you make the choise. Trust me, it beats the alternatives.
By martian, Monday, 7 April , 2008 @ 12:37 pm
Being both a pilot and a former (USAF) Air Traffic Controller, it goes without saying that I am a flying nut. I’ve always said there is only one thing better than flying and it’s a close second. That said, I do travel occasionally on business these days and I find myself liking it less and less when I have to fly commercially. I have a trip coming up next month to Statesboro, Ga. from my home here in Tallahassee. Even though it’s only about an hour of flight time to Savannah (the closest city with an airport to Statesboro) and an hour’s drive from there to Statesboro, my colleagues and I are planning to spend five hours and drive up there. Why? Because between having to get to the airport early to get through security, flight delays from here to whatever hub we have to go to before we can route to Savannah (no direct flights), layover times and late departures from the hub airport, and baggage delays once we get to Savannah, the five hours drive time is considerably less than the time it would take us for what should be about an hour of flying time. On top of the interminable delays there are the indifferent (at best) airline employees, cramped, uncomfortable seats, and lousy in-flight service to deal with. No wonder airlines are going out of business!
By Mockinbird, Monday, 7 April , 2008 @ 12:56 pm
I really enjoy Amtrak. It does take more time but there’s rural scenery, good food on board, and for those who still smoke, a lounge. I’ve ridden round trip-Jax. FL to Champaign IL changing in New Orleans. Very nice.
By Rich Horton, Monday, 7 April , 2008 @ 1:58 pm
It seems there is a bit of devolution going on when it comes to travel. Of course it doesn’t help that we have basically dismantled a lot of our rail infrastructure, and we dont (as of yet) look likely to invest in a high speed rail replacement.
I wonder just how many people would be interested in an alternative if it were available.
By wheels, Tuesday, 8 April , 2008 @ 7:04 am
I would have loved to be able to use Amtrak, but most of my travel would have been between Denver and DC/Baltimore, which, when I looked at it, was too inconvenient. Denver has one Amtrak train per day eastbound, and one westbound. Eastbound took over a day to DC for the same price as air travel, and I just couldn’t afford the time.I also looked into Amtrak from Denver to New Orleans, and having to go through Chicago killed that for me. Maybe when I retire, and have fewer constraints on my time, but not before then.
By ted goldman, Tuesday, 8 April , 2008 @ 10:52 am
Los Angeles to New York airline travel cost approximately $500, in 1971. Today, nearly 40 years later, I am paying approximatley $350 (about $150) in 1971 dollars on the very same flight.
Rigid governmental price intervention has been one of the culprits in this. All travelors are getting what we (don’t) pay for. In 1971 travel was enjoyable, and much safer, than today.
Just about everything has gone up very significantly in cost in the past 40 years but not the price in airline travel.
By Jess, Tuesday, 8 April , 2008 @ 1:07 pm
Heh. A lot of Denver readers.. I looked at AmTrak for the family trip from Colorado to visit the folks the Pennsylvania. While I could have gotten by relativly cheaply, I would be traveling with a 6YO and a 2YO; not excatly the best travelling companions on a long train trip. A sleeper car, when available, would have been the perfect solution, but just as expensive as flying and more time to boot. My solution? A three day (each way) car trip with the family. Yup, six days in a car with a 6yo and a 2yo. Pray for me.