Business Blog: Hoover’s Business Insight Zone

Here, have some rant. My friend Sheila — a travel writer and a former Navy officer — whipped it up for you:

If you have nothing good to say about U.S. travel, come sit by me

I am disgusted.

I am a U.S. traveler with multiple transportation options, and most of them are awful.

. . .

I am not clueless about the current high price of fuel, so I understand why the airlines (except for Southwest, which actually planned for a fuel price increase) think they must nickel and dime passengers for every mangy pillow, blanket, sandwich, suitcase and inch of legroom, but I’d rather just pay for a somewhat higher-priced ticket and not be treated like a fee-ridden pest in coach.

I’m your customer, Mr. Airline.

. . .

Read it all. I thought Sheila’s comments on dubious anti-terrorism measures and on a lack of viable transportation alternatives were particularly apt.

At some point, whether because of lousy service or higher fuel prices (ergo higher ticket prices) or whatever, the airlines will have to change their ways. Or, as I fervently hope, one or two of the most far-sighted airlines will figure out a way to deliver better service — a better experience — to enough passengers that those companies will win outright in the marketplace.

Talk about your untapped market opportunities! Any airline that can offer better service all the way around — service that answers Sheila’s complaints — will be sitting on a gold mine.

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Previously in this vein:

• Runway congestion: the inescapable math.
• Clueless airlines: which verse of this song are we on now?
• Airline inanity follow-up: amen to Jeff Jarvis.
• Massive reality disconnect in the airline industry.
• Air travel is getting worse.

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(Photo by lunchtimemama.)