Unexpected Consequences

As previously mentioned, my wife and I were forced to cancel our long-planned getaway to Florida last week because of an unscheduled series of extreme weather events - events that the insurance companies like to call "Acts of God".

So I feel empathy for the million or so people who have already had their travel plans disrupted or (more likely) ruined because of the volcano eruption in Iceland. The ash plume from that erupting hell-hole consists of fine pieces of rock and glass that can shut-down a jet engine and etch a windshield and make it useless. The plume is affecting many European airports and some scientists are predicting a cold summer as the volcanic dust in the stratosphere blocks the sunlight. (Drat! Another factor that will undoubtedly impact my tomato harvest in August.)


It's bad enough to be forced to stay at home, unable to start your trip, but consider the agony of being stranded at Heathrow or DeGaul airport, waiting for a flight back to the states. The hassle of getting re-booked on future flights is overwhelming because those flights are already fully booked by millions of other Spring travelers who are returning from their vacations. The horror stories of travelers who cannot get here from there evoke a sense of dread.

The old saying that the gods laugh at our plans seems apt.
And, if you weren't already annoyed enough by the vulnerability factor, physical discomfort and cost of air travel, the next trend in passenger gouging should send you over the edge. is to charge you for your carry-on luggage. Huh? Not checked baggage but carry-on! Up to $40.
Spirit Airlines has announced that they will charge up to $45 per carry-on if you book after August 1, 2010. Public outrage is building. Several congressmen have rushed opportunistically to the microphones to announce bills that would ban such fees by airlines. In one case, Sen. Charles Schumer sees an opportunity to raise taxes on the airline by charging an excise tax on fees. Hey Chuck, excise taxes are paid by customers. Instead of penalizing the Airline, Shumer's bill would add to the cost of the fee. What a dolt!

I hate being nickel and dimed as much as anyone, but I can see a valid argument in charging for services used. If I don't check a bag, Maybe I should get a discount. If I don't need a lot of legroom, maybe I should pay less than the fat and tall folk. Itemizing these costs seems sensible. The problem is that there is no list or set price for a seat on an airplane. The airline executive goniffs adjust the basic price based on what they think the market will bear.

Some thing ought to be done, but I do not think the government making laws about what the airlines can charge for. This is not the role government should be playing. The government needs to worry about safety and security. Let the customers show the airlines what they are willing to bear in terms of fees and charges.

Spirit Airlines is taking a lot of criticism for their over-the-line announcement. Most of the major airlines are vowing that they will not follow suit. Something tells me that the carry-on fee will go away and fast. Ironically the Spirit ads will then say "See, we listen!"

New Years Resolutions 2010

New Years resolutions are the tradition fodder for people who want to change something or accomplish some lofty goal. Studies* show that 75% of these resolutions become forgotten or abandoned within the first month. Virtually all resolutions fall by the wayside before 3 months have passed. Yet, being creatures of hope, people continue to dutifully write lists and consciously try to apply that self-discipline which is needed to reach the goal.

Generally my requisite resolutions repeat themselves from year to year: Travel more, write more, read good books, exercise and lose a few pounds, be nicer to telemarketers...and so on. In the past, these aspirations have evaporated like cat puke on a rug - within a few weeks.

But this year is different. This year, I did not make ANY resolutions. Thus I will not have to experience that gnawing sense of failure that most of you will feel as February draws to a close, and March rages like a lion, mocking your lack of productivity and weight loss. By April, you are slamming the phone down on telemarketers and beginning to hate that stack of unread books. Travel? Hah, June blows in like a lamb - and you have not even begun to plan that Cape vacation...

Not me, amigos. This year, instead of making resolutions we are making plans. We have already booked our getaway vacations for February in Florida and August on the Cape. Doubtless, by February I will be boasting that I am writing more, getting paid, losing weight, paying more attention to investments, reading good books, and learning a foreign language. By March, the taxes will be done, we will have trained the kitten NOT to jump on the counter and eat my eggs while I am taking a phone call. In June I will be counting my lottery winnings (and perhaps giving gift$ to my fans). By November we will be sending picture postcards back from Amalfi.

Yes, this is the year for accomplishment --- I can taste it like a 12 year old single malt scotch.


*The "Studies" I cite are - like most blog data - fictitious, fabricated to lend credence to specious factoids. (Papa always said never let the facts get in the way of a good story.)