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U.S. Airways: Goodbye to those salty peanuts
Those following the cash-strapped airline industry had to know this day was coming.In the latest cost-cutting move by a major U.S. carrier, U.S. Airways is eliminating free snacks from its flights starting June 1.
Those snacks cost $.03 per passenger, as posted by the Consumerist.
The airline is already charging fees for a second checked bag and preferred seating -- window or aisle seats -- on all of its flights.
Of course, this begs the question whether anyone will care. I mean, how good were these roasted peanuts and small Rold Gold pretzel packages anyway?
I'm looking forward, though, to the airline's report about how much this move will save them.
What strange things have been found on planes?
Click the image to read the bizarre story...
Filed under: Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Zach S May 28th 2008 9:39PM
Having just flown into PHL from O'Hare, I can say that the pretzels can truly be a life saver. We were stuck out on the tarmac for a hour or two waiting to get clearance for takeoff (Phila's weather was pretty sketchy) and when those pretzels came out, people seemed to get less grumbly (and so did their stomachs!). Who knows- maybe getting rid of the free snacks will actually be worse for the airline?
k May 29th 2008 2:47PM
If they really believe this is a solution, it's no wonder they can't make a profitable business. You make walls out of stones, not pebbles.
Pilotswife May 29th 2008 3:02PM
I know this may seem frivolous to some but every little penny helps. The airlines are struggling with fuel costs just like the rest of us and they have huge overheads. Those pennies will probably add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings which in my book are no pebbles my friend. We all need to be patient and understand that the airlines are not doing this to spite us, they are just trying to hold their heads above water.
LT May 29th 2008 5:13PM
I am sure your husband it interested in cutting his pay. I am sure over 100,000
Dan in NC May 29th 2008 5:21PM
I totally agree with you....EVERYONE is having to make sacrifices (large and small) to keep airlines solvent. If the citizens of this great country DEMANDED we drill our own oil (ANWR....shale oil in the Rockies, etc), we would cut the price of fuel shaply, and permenantly, while adding hundreds of thousands of permenant high paying jobs. Until that happens, unfortunately, saving every penny is crucial to airlines. I'm flying to Denver from Charlotte on the 14th of June, and I'm willing to do my part.....with no whining ;) Dan
w67 Jun 12th 2008 6:10PM
Very very good answer !
well, my husband is a pilot, too ;-)
Moody75 May 29th 2008 3:04PM
USAirways lounge in Phoenix (their main hub) charges $5 for drinks.
That is in the LOUNGE where you have to have bought a FClass ticket or paid for a subscription.
gsheppard Jun 10th 2008 9:53AM
Geez Mr Big Shot Moody75 you must not play golf. I bet for the cost of your airline ticket you could have played two rounds of 18 hole w/cart golf in West Palm Beach and paid 7.00 for you 1oz drink. Good ride the bus from now on.
Moody75 May 30th 2008 10:16AM
@gsheppard ;
Actually I did not pay for a FClass ticket, I was using free lounge entry passes.
My point is that I have never seen any other airline charge for drinks once one enters a lounge.
james carter May 29th 2008 3:38PM
keep your stale snacks and keep your flights would not fly ever again you greedy bastereds unless the ceos and management cuts their pay in half.
Michelle S Jun 12th 2008 1:31AM
THANK YOU JAMES CARTER! As an ex-US Airways employee I can attest to the unbelievable corporate GREED governing this company! The CEOs want to bully, threaten, intimidate, and ultimately bribe their employees to take cut after cut after cut for the "sake" of the company while they sacrifice nothing. Instead they continue to give themselves bonuses while robbing their employees (current as well as retired) of pay, benefits, stock options, retirement plans, medical insurance and the like. I hope they sleep well in their vacation home while others go into forclosure.
John May 29th 2008 3:39PM
This will save them a million over the course of a year. A few years ago back when they served real food on airlines I remember they took an olive (yes, 1) off of the salad and it saved millions.
I still think this is not going to save the industry from financial troubles. The folks who run the airlines are not the brightest crayons in the box.
trekfox May 29th 2008 3:48PM
Can you people get a proof reader? Find that typo...
Lorna May 29th 2008 3:51PM
Need a proofreader, guys? Find that typo, it's there.
bhholberg May 29th 2008 4:41PM
"...latest move MY a major US carrier". What do they mean BY that???
Melanie May 29th 2008 3:52PM
OMG how lame!! I want peanuts!!!
Melanie May 29th 2008 3:53PM
And charging for a 2nd bag what the hell!!!
Larry May 29th 2008 4:06PM
People will now bring their own snacks and food and let US Airways clean up the mess. What they save in food, they can spend in clean-up costs.
Sally Jun 1st 2008 2:17PM
Trust me they don't pay for clean up costs, who do you think cleans those airplanes? After each flight the flight attendant does and trust me she/he isn't getting paid extra to do it plus they took concessions. US Airways did away with cleaning crews years ago, except for the overnighters. Even before the peanut and pretzels going missing people still brought their own food and let their kids mash Cheerios into the floor not to mention leaving the unfinished portions in the overheads. If you know where you are going then you probably have some idea of how long it will take to get there so pack accordingly. Bring your own snacks, everyone complains about the 5 pretzels or peanuts they get anyway. Always demanding more than one bag. Just wait until there is a charge for the sodas and water. Flying is going back to the way it was before, the wealthy and business class. Greyhound still runs dosen't it? As long as fuel goes up don't expect much. Just a ride.
desertwings May 29th 2008 4:11PM
It's not just the cost of the peanuts that saves the airlines money but the cost of maintenance to clean up the mess, replacing seat tracks corroded from the peanut oil, and aircraft "down-time".