7639 replies to this topic

[Missed Approach]

Flair Airlines.......

 

https://biv.com/arti...ore-double-size

[spanky123]

^ Always nice to have a goal!

[Victoria Watcher]

Alaska Airlines passengers flying out of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport won’t be waiting in line to check their bags for much longer.

 

As part of a $2.5 billion initiative, the airline is eliminating its check-in kiosks across the country and replacing them with self-service bag-tag stations. All passengers will be expected to check-in online beforehand, with the ticketing area reserved for those dropping off checked luggage.

 

The new self-service kiosks have already been installed in one zone of Alaska’s Sea-Tac ticketing area, with the rest to be replaced by the end of July.

That’s the first element of the SEA Gateway project, a collaboration between the airline and the Port of Seattle, the airport operator, that will remodel the airport lobby to make it less congested for travelers.

 

Eventually, the airline plans to install a self-service bag-drop station, allowing passengers to not only tag their luggage, but to drop it on the luggage belt.

“When it comes to dropping a bag, that’s all [our guests] really want to do — drop a bag,” said Amber Simonsen, the company’s director of airport transformation. “We want to enable that to the best degree possible.”

 

 

https://www.seattlet...Registered User

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 16 June 2023 - 02:15 AM.

[Nparker]

From all the places where I have seen self-serve baggage drop-off, it does nothing but move the congestion to another location.

[lanforod]

Yes, I agree. You just end up waiting elsewhere. In security, or at the gate.  If they removed all the waiting, theoretically it would cut down the time needed to arrive prior to your flight, but there is only so much you can cut it down before your luggage doesn't make it on the plane.

[Nparker]

Let's face it, this is a cost saving measure for airlines and nothing more. If I thought the savings were going to be passed onto the consumer it might not be so bad, but we know that isn't going to happen.

[Victoria Watcher]

Why not take all your luggage right to the skywalk and drop it down at chute just before the plane door? Then you know it gets on your plane too.

[Mike K.]

It will keep costs down, though. Less upwards price pressure.

[Nparker]

It will keep costs down, though. Less upwards price pressure.

That's the thing though, prices will still go up even as customers have to do more work themselves. It's the tipping situation all over again.

[Mike K.]

Why not skip that hassle then, and drive?

[Nparker]

Because the toll on the bridge to Hawaii is even more expensive.

[Victoria Watcher]

I always tip my pilot.

[Mike K.]

Because the toll on the bridge to Hawaii is even more expensive.

Exactly!

[Kilo95]

Ottawa airport (and others) have had self-service bag tagging and drop off for quite some time now. There are a few agents milling about to assist but it’s overall a pretty intuitive and seamless process, once you’ve done it a time or two. That said, people seem to lose all their brain cells the minute they step foot in an airport so who knows how it’ll work out at SEATAC

[Nparker]

It's just another way the consumer is being made to do the work with little benefit to anyone but the business.

[Victoria Watcher]

WestJet to shut down Sunwing Airlines, merge it with mainline business

https://www.cbc.ca/n...lines-1.6880320

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 17 June 2023 - 11:54 AM.

[Nparker]

Who didn't see this coming? WestJet seems to be trying very hard for the "Worst Canadian Airline" award, so long held by Air Canada.

[lanforod]

I think of the two, WestJet has been worse for a couple of years. Pretty sure both customer satisfaction and on time performance metrics has AC winning now.

[Nparker]

2 Samuel 1:25-27.

[Mike K.]

Its sale to Onex was not going to keep it running as the familiar employee-owned airline it once was, or at least the charm that came with its original ownership style.