frequent flyers will enjoy this

[Butthead]

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/109505/why-this-travelers-outrage-feels-so-right

[eersfanpilot]

Haha, that's pretty funny actually.

[DICKIEDOO]

Thats awesome and I'm totally with him!

[wallypiper]

Yeah, go for it. They probably won't but United could really slam this guy if the jurisdiction where he's filing makes the loser pay. Whether you realize it or not, when you buy an airline ticket you are agreeing to a very long and detailed contract. United will, no doubt, fulfill their obligations as laid out in that contract which includes compensating the guy up to $3300 for the documented value of his lost items. The $25 fee is not a freight charge, it's a handling fee. He's going to get his money although it won't be a refund of the $25 but rather compensation for his actual loss. For the sake of public image, the airline probably won't file some kind of countersuit, but they could and they might win it.

Don't get me wrong. I don't like the airlines much, although I have come to appreciate Airtran because of the perks I get from them. I think the add on baggage fees are stupid. But so is suing United for this. Hopefully, United will just send the guy his money before the court date.

[Mongo]

Baggage fees are merely a ticket price increase - which is then decreased for the frequent fliers (I barely qualified for Silver Elite with Delta and don't pay any extra fees for anything). Never have understood why it upsets people so much, add it in to the ticket price when you're shopping flights and move on with your life. Only thing that annoys me with airlines is the lack of enforcement on carry-on bags. That a stupid ****ing yankee women who think they should take up 4 people worth of room as we're all trying to get off the plane with their luggage. I now get why people who pay for first hate those of us who get up there free....

[wallypiper]

People pay for first?

[Mongo]

Those who can afford it do (the latest ones I've flown with were Wayne Newton and Holyfield). If I could I would.

[Lazarus]

I have never flown first class before but its one of my goals. Maybe when its just the wife and I heading to Vegas or something.

[Mongo]

I do have to say it absolutely kicks ass. We've been really lucky this year with getting bumped up on our flights.

[Lazarus]

I do have to say it absolutely kicks ass. We've been really lucky this year with getting bumped up on our flights.

Really? Tell me about it. Like what do you get? Those seats look really comfy. We dont fly alot so I doubt if we'd ever get bumped. How does that work? Do you guys have to ask for it or do they just random select you for an upgrade?

[The Lazy Destroyer]

My account automatically requests an upgrade when I book a flight. Sometimes I get it a few days before the flight, and sometimes I get it when I check in that day for the flight. It's nice but IMO the big benefit to the upgrade is being next to people that know how to fly. They're typically efficient, aren't annoying. Not much as far as lines to deal with. Quickly on/off the plane. That kinda stuff is why I like it. Security at some airports is easier to deal with if you have a first class ticket.

[Mongo]

Seats are bigger, free drinks, and a real meal as well as great service. Delta puts us on the list and as long as other people with higher levels frequent flier status than us aren't on the plane it's automatic.

[Mongo]

Oh yeah - free movies and games if you're on a plane with the touch screens in the seats.

[Lazarus]

Thats pretty sweet Mongo. So you get free food regardless of the length of flight or only if its a long flight?

Best plane ever was on Song. I want to say we were flying to Seattle or coming from LA. They had touch screens and tv and trivia games. Was pretty cool.

[The Lazy Destroyer]

Thats pretty sweet Mongo. So you get free food regardless of the length of flight or only if its a long flight?

Best plane ever was on Song. I want to say we were flying to Seattle or coming from LA. They had touch screens and tv and trivia games. Was pretty cool.

First class has that... although the newer planes have it in coach as well. We played trivia with other people on the plane when Tiff and I flew to Vegas, we were in coach.

I always forget about the free drinks when I'm upgraded, I can't stay awake on airplanes so I always end up sleeping through the whole thing usually.

[Mongo]

I rarely use the free drinks either, just too much to do when I land to be buzzed.

The planes with touch screen in coach are all old Song planes, very cool setup, too bad it didn't last. Food depends on the length of the flight and so on, the type pf meal depends on the time of day. Flight to Vegas last week we had a choice of a chicken breast with some spuds and veggies or a pasta dish with a salad and cheesecake. On the way home yesterday no choice and it was a chicken breast muffalata sammich, fruit cup, and a brownie for dessert.

[wallypiper]

I end up upgraded on any flight that I book an eligible fare (some deep discounted tickets aren't eligible regardless of your FF status). That ends up being 9 out of 10. I expect that ratio is about normal for upgrades in general. I almost never drink on a plane. I generally have to drive somewhere at the end of the flight. I don't think Airtran does meals on any flight but I'm not sure. Mostly its just a roomier more comfortable seat and a quick exit at the end. And I agree the person next to you is more likely to be a frequent flyer, efficient at getting on and off and calm and quiet during the flight. I'm always eligible for the short lines if they're available, regardless of the seat. I usually get the upgrade when I book the flight. On some cheap fares, they're only available at the gate and that doesn't pan out too often. Usually all the seats are sold or handed out already to people paying higher fares.

With most airlines, your place in line for upgrades is based on some combination of the price of your ticket, your FF status and/or balance, and the order of check in. The weight assigned to each of those may differ between airlines etc. but those are the basic criteria.