I agree with you. The airline industry needs a complete and total revamping, and this means the business model itself. I don't know what the answer is, but I do know that the current business models don't work.
Airline travel in this country had turned into a nightmare. It's a combination of post 9/11 issues, high fuel prices, and an outdated airline business model.
I used to travel to NY from LA all the time on business. It was no big deal. I could take a flight out of Burbank airport, 20 minutes from my house, arrive 45 minutes before the flight, valet park for 11.00 a day, and be in my hotel in NY 8 hours after I left my house. I could do it out of LAX but added an hour for time to LAX and parking. The last time I went to NY, last summer, on the return, I spent 3 hours on a runway after an hour to get through security at JFK, then we returned to the gate. 4 hours later we had a new plane. By the time I got home, it was 24 hours door to door. I can drive to the bay area now in less time than it takes to fly, and for about half the cost. And I find that just about every airline employee is rude, doesn't have a clue what customer service is, and act like it's my "priveledge" to be on their crappy airline.
A major overhaul is needed, and until someone figures out what that business model is, I'd stay away.
Buzz
