Comments for Savvy Passenger

Comment on The Importance of Airline Etiquette by Chris

Chris — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 14:33:57 +0000

Thanks for highlighting the big issue for travellers today. I travel 140K/yr and see first hand how my attitude carries over to others. When I’m pleasant, others react well….and if I’m being a jerk…ditto. It’s
all about the golden rule. I do try to be pleasant as its so much easier!

Comment on The FAA Re-Authorization Bill and the Airline Passenger by Mikey C

Mikey C — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:59:38 +0000

Nice Article!

Comment on The Importance of Airline Etiquette by The Savvy Passenger

The Savvy Passenger — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:59:08 +0000

Ken, Thank you for your comments. I don’t know if the crux of the issue is cramped quarters (you might be right), I do know that United, in particular) has had great success in their Economy Plus product, to the point where after its merger with Continental, all Continental aircraft are being retrofit with this extra legroom in economy. I know that the high-time business travelers who choose United enjoy having this perk, especially when the company is upgrading their more loyal customers with this service at no additional charge. Sadly, I don’t think we shall ever see a “shrinking” of CEO wages unless we begin to see a shift change in this practice along the entire spectrum of the business world, not just the airlines. And not to defend United, per se, but since their merger with Continental, the airline has committed millions of additional dollars to upgrading and retrofitting their fleet to meet the demands of the business traveler (ie., WiFi, lay-flat seating, electrical outlets — just to name a few)! Cheers!

Comment on The Importance of Airline Etiquette by Ken

Ken — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:47:57 +0000

I really appreciate this article. Most will never know how it used to be 40 years ago when I first started business related flying. Back then it was so much more civilized and yes, people were nicer-much nicer. Back then flying, was an adventure and you would look forward to it. Now, many consider it an ordeal. However, while the Gen “X” statement has some validity, I think a lot of it has to do with the cramped nature of the aircraft.

Western Airlines used to have a motto “3 feet for your 2 feet” back in the 70′s. Are the cramped conditions the price we pay for affordable airfare while creating unrest on board? All of this would be debatable if, for example, the CEO of United was not paid $4.4m a year. No one is worth that kind of money and if all those executive salaries were plowed back into the operations budget, think of what kind of conditions we could expect on board.

Would our attitudes then change? A rhetorical question but one worth contemplating.

Comment on The Importance of Airline Etiquette by DL

DL — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:37:55 +0000

And thank *you* for addressing mine. I should say the gist of your post is spot-on, and as someone who’s generally polite, it bothers me when others are not.

It’s just that it’s become easy shorthand to talk about all the things wrong with millennials, which often turns me off to the rest of the point someone is trying to make.

We’ll both keep encouraging the pleases and thank yous and hope for the best!

Comment on The Importance of Airline Etiquette by The Savvy Passenger

The Savvy Passenger — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:11:30 +0000

I wholeheartedly agree! I guess I am an optimist that if things are going to change, they have to change beginning with myself! Thanks for your insights…

Comment on The Importance of Airline Etiquette by Guest

Guest — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:04:12 +0000

I have to agree with this post. Though, I am in my early 30′s and have to say not all of us are like this. I was raised to say please, thank you, hold doors, etc. I think this general sense of common courtesy has largely disappeared, not only on planes. I have been in my cities metro system where two elderly people got on, and you could tell they weren’t too steady on their feet. Not one person budged from their seats to let them have a seat. Me and my wife stood and let them have our seats and they wouldn’t stop thanking us and said we had done our good deed for the day. While I was happy to do this, it’s a shame that they have come to think of this action by younger people as an over the top act of kindness. These things should be commonplace. I commend you for dealing with the ‘I’ mentality and keeping a smile on your face.

Comment on The Importance of Airline Etiquette by The Savvy Passenger

The Savvy Passenger — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:57:45 +0000

DL…

My post wasn’t meant as an indictment, but having been in the customer service industry for well over 30 years, this is merely an observation that has been made by more than myself.

I will tell you this…I go OUT OF MY WAY to thank parents on my flights when their children use “Please” and “Thank You” without prompting…I gives me hope that perhaps our society can turn themselves around and make this place a nicer place to exist! Thank you for your comments!

Comment on The Importance of Airline Etiquette by DL

DL — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:42:41 +0000

Wow…you just indicted my whole generation and the one above mine for declining moral standards and values.

Stings a bit for a 27-year-old who asks if tourists need directions, gets up on the train for pregnant women (and aging baby boomers) and, yes, helps people store their luggage.

Comment on Why Baldwin’s Public Tantrum is Dangerous by Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:06:38 +0000

Why make both parties equally annoyed and frustrated? Just turn it off, problem solved. Rules are rules. None of us make them but we all follow them. But why mom? Because I said so, says the FAA.