Get From Here to There. Forget the Peanuts

Some things defy my logic. Complaints about airline food is one of them. Or maybe it is the fact that some people are actually flying on other people's money that causes them to ignore the fact that expensive flight tickets do precious other than get you from here to there.

This will not stop fliers from wanting more. For instance, imagine that you are on a one-hour flight from city A to city B. And instead of the get-stuck-between-the-teeth type of poor quality candy, the aircrew serves you a large bar of exquisite Swiss chocolate. How would you feel? If you would rate this as an example of good service, you have my sympathies. I just do not understand you.

Here is my opinion. I would think that I got approx two dollars worth of benefit. That is because that is what the chocolate bar would probably cost me if I pocketed it on my way to the airport.

And this applies to everything. There is really a strange value that some people seem to derive from plastically smiling cabin crew. In reality I am one of those that think that the only purpose of a flight is to get you from point A to point B. As long as it does so within reasonable approximation to the time limit that you expected, or the time limit that is standard, you should be happy.

I think it should all be about price. I am always surprised when I find out that two people on the same flight are paying dramatically different prices. I can forgive occasional mis-planning being the cause of delayed reservations. But what is the deal with choosing chronically expensive flights and carriers. Are you not interested in saving money?

Is the fact that your employer or customer is paying for the ticket enough for you to shirk the responsibility of going ahead and doing your bit to save money, and maybe use it more sanely later?

Low priced carriers are actually an entire category of the airline industry. There is usually a catch, but I think it is worth exploring. Some of them have few flights to make sure that they fly full flights only. That should be fine as long as you can plan a bit in advance. Some other airlines will not give you on-flight service or refreshment. That should not be a concern either. If you are really that keen on a lousy bag of peanuts, spend an extra dollar on that bag before you board, instead of paying an extra hundred to get this "service" on board.

Lesser luggage allowance might be a factor. Some others will fly from less prominent airports. On these I have no prescriptions, except: avail of these low prices if at all possible.

Any other way of thinking is just vain