US Airways claims planes are cleaner now that it charges for drinks
Now that US Airways is charging for drinks, the airplane cabins are cleaner and the logjam in the aisles is largely gone according to US Airways’ President Scott Kirby. Really?
Speaking at an investment conference in New York, Kirby said logjams in the aisles, significant trash collection, lines at the restroom — all those things are “largely gone” because fewer people are buying drinks.
Kirby also felt that the flight attendants would “riot” if they returned to the old method of free non-alcoholic drinks.
Mike Flores, president of US Airways’ flight attendants’ union, however, took issue with the riot statement. He said Kirby was just saying that to justify the decision to start charging for drinks, adding that the amount of on-board garbage hasn’t been reduced at all.
By making the flight attendants responsible for sales, Flores feels that it would “detract from attendants’ ability to ensure cabin safety” and that this is just the beginning. He feels that they’ll probably ask the flight attendants to sell “everything from pillows and blankets to cellphone chargers.”
This blogger hasn’t flown US Airways lately, so he doesn’t know whether what Kirby says is true. How about you readers out there? Have you noticed any difference?
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9 Responses to “US Airways claims planes are cleaner now that it charges for drinks”
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I fly US Airways all the time, and I have never had an issue with them.
Scott Kirby has a very good point about the cabins being cleaner. Also, the aisles are far less congested during the flights, and yes, there are fewer people going to those closets that airplanes call the restroom. On my most recent flight, it seemed to me that more restroom visitations were made by First Class passengers than by those in Coach.
I doubt that flight attendants would “riot” if they had to go back to complimentary drinks, but I have to say that I really enjoy not having the attendant reach over me to deliver a drink to a window passenger and then reach over me again later to collect the trash. I don’t miss the complimentary beverages at all.
Scott Kirby is an arrogant arse and have this on authority from colleagues who’ve done business with him.
US Airways has never met an elite customer it couldn’t hate and/or treat poorly. In the last 90 days I’ve had exactly one paid trip on US Airways and my goal in to get it down to ZERO in the next 90.
I like to think of the soft drink charges as the Doug and Scott Golden Parachute Fund or GSDPF for those of you who prefer accronyms.
Organizations that are as Customer and Employee Unfriendly as US Airways usually don’t stick around to long.
One question for Mr Bullit, what floor do you work on ast US HQ on Rio Salada?
Those of us why fly KNOW that US Airways monitors the aviation and consumer blogs so it is always suspect when a blatantly favorable post appears.
The litte “Scotty Dogs” have gone so far as to call me personally over a scathing post I made.
In short they have lost my trust and have no credibility as a management team. Funny/sad part is they actually think the glib comments of Scott Kirby are clever and serve as good PR.
As far as I’m concerned he and Doug can KMA in Macy’s window.
I don’t think we should be happy about people being less hydrated while flying frankly. If people are going to the restroom very much, that’s not a good thing IMO.
Hm.
I haven’t noticed US Airways flights being that much cleaner at all…
Unfortunately, I fly them a pretty good bit (they’re one of the only carriers at my home airport), and the planes seem to be just as messy and as in disrepair before. I don’t see that many folks not getting drinks either. Who knows?
This is just an example of management trying to rationalize or justify a mistake. The planes are not cleaner! Passengers still have to use the lav and there is not less trash, because people are bringing food, drinks, newspapers, and magazines on board from airport vendors. Mr. Kirby needs to wake up and smell the $1.00 coffee US Airways is selling!
Kinda like taking your dog to the kennel. If they don’t give the dog water, he won’t pee.
Actually, Mr. Johnson, I’m retired and live outside Philadelphia PA. I use US Airways for most of my vacation travel because they have the most non-stops from Philadelphia to the places I like to go. I’ve never worked in the airline or travel industries. I always travel in Coach class with the least expensive ticket I can buy. And I stand by my previous remarks. Based on my experiences with them, US Airways is doing a fine job.
Hey Scott, try flying them 110 times a year for 9 years and get back to me
How can any of the planes be cleaner when anyone who wants to eat or drink has to bring it onboard from the shops at the airport?????
Let’s see: cups…..lids….straws….knives/forks/spoons….bags….wrappers….small plastic condiment tubes ….on & on & on.
All of this in addition to the normal candy and gum wrappers on the floor and in the bottom of the magazine/barf bag pocket.
And, then of course, the wonderful aroma of pickles or safron wafting throughout the confines ……… YEA …. RIGHT …. How long has it been since any of the airline CEO’s tried flying across the country in coach???????
IT SUCKS TO FLY!!!!!