April 7, 2010

Here’s another ARE YOU KIDDING ME! An airline out of Florida – Spirit Airlines – just announced that they will be charging passengers $45 for each carry-on bag. This in addition to the fee they charge if you check your luggage. Does this airline really cater to people?  You know, those living, breathing beings that pay for fares and fill up airline seats? I get that everyone is trying to skirt the pay-for-checked bags policy by bringing bigger and heavier carry-on luggage and trying to shove it into the overhead; and that is slowing down both boarding and exiting the plane. But what did airlines exec’s expect? They forced the situation by taking away a reasonable check-in option. Why not just reduce the size of the bag that can be stowed overhead? Or, be more strict on number of bags. All of these are pretty mundane, obvious suggestions.

Here’s what I really want to say.  I OWN THAT SPACE ABOVE MY HEAD!  If I’ve paid for a ticket, a portion of that overhead is mine to fill as I see fit. I’m okay with size/weight guidelines, but back off my space. Most of the airlines have taken away food and beverages, entertainment, in some cases blankets and pillows. You keep us trapped on runways for hours and you scream at us if we stand or sit at the wrong time.  What’s next? Are you going to charge me for next? The privilege of sitting in the seat that I’ve paid to “reserve”?There is a way that this is actually “okay.”

That would be if Spirit Air really offered lower fares. The problem is that they probably aren’t, and other airlines that follow suit, won’t either. It’s just another way to justify more dollars in their pockets. I get that they are running business models at a loss, but is that the consumer’s fault? There’s some basic business management problem there, I’m sure. There must be something we can do to revolt, besides not buying a ticket on that airline. Certainly that’s an option, but really, sometimes we don’t have a lot of choice on who flies where. Let’s find another way to push back. In the words of the Wonder Twins … Social networks activate!

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April 1, 2010

Today my thoughts are with Sandra Bullock. No, I don’t know her. I don’t know the first thing about her really. But, like anyone who follows celebrity news, I feel like I do. And, I’m so sorry for what she’s going through (re: her husband, Jessie James, massive cheating scandal). I even like Jessie James (who didn’t after he rocked Celebrity Apprentice), and I can’t believe that he did all the things he’s allegedly done. I mean really … everything from unprotected sex with umpteen women to dog fighting to whatever else.

Even if a portion of that is true, I have to put him in the schmuck column.  I’m sure Sandra feels heartbroken, deceived and massively embarrassed.  She just lauded Jessie to the world the Academy Awards that he was the only man who has ever “had her back.” And then he destroys her, in front of that same world. I thought he looked a little squirmy when the camera cut to him during her speech. I assumed it was the suit – not his normal garage garb -- now we know different. All I can say now is we love you Sandra. You didn’t deserve this. But know that we have your back, no matter what.

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