Posted on 04/02/2012 4:19:35 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
The cookie has crumbled.
That warm chocolate chip cookie that airline passengers relished - and that helped Milwaukee's Midwest Airlines claim "the best care in the air" - will fade into history at the end of the month, like the airline itself that's been swallowed up by competitors.
In a memo to company employees, Frontier Airlines officials announced Friday that they're removing the complimentary warm cookies from in-flight service.
In their place, bags of Pepperidge Farms Goldfish Crackers or Barnum's Animal Crackers will be offered, the company said. The snacks will be complimentary, however, only for the carrier's Ascent, Summit, Classic and Classic Plus customers, and unaccompanied minors. Those flying economy will have to pay $1 for the crackers, the statement said.
While the chocolate chip cookies have been popular, they don't factor into a customer's purchasing decision and did not provide the added value to warrant the expense, the company said in its statement to employees.
Animal crackers are nonperishable, run less risk of waste, are a better value and more consistent with the brand of Frontier, which features animals on the tails of its airplanes, the statement said.
"Frontier is the only domestic low-cost carrier offering a free perishable snack to all customers, which does not align with either the perception or financial reality of the ultra low-cost business model," said Daniel Shurz, senior vice president.
"Removing the complimentary cookie is another step in our continued effort to make Frontier a sustainably profitable airline," he said in the statement.
The cookies have been served on all Frontier flights after 10:30 a.m., company spokeswoman Lindsey Carpenter said Saturday.
~snip~
The goldfish crackers and animal crackers will be available starting May 1 on all Frontier and Frontier Express flights, she said.
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
I remember when people used to dress “up” when flying.
I still enjoy Frontier offering individual in-flight satellite TV for 5 bucks. That makes the longer trips a bit more enjoyable.
This is obviously G. W. Bush’s fault!!!!!
I remember that and still have a menu that is not just embossed but also has the little folk dancers embroidered. They gave you full sized cokes and served the meals on real plates with real stainless steal utensils. You even got a real pat of butter for your roll. Yes, on proper serving plates just like your picture along with a cloth napkin. And that was in the coach section. Also in the coach section, the seats were wide and comfy so you could relax and enjoy the flight (hmmm, maybe this the sardines in a can that is causing so many passengers, attendants and pilots to flip out these days). And in the mornings, they'd wake you with hot coffee and a hot cloth to help you get refreshed.
And no one died of honey roasted peanut dust.
$5 here, $50 there. It all adds up to irritating passengers. No, they should provide it as a service. Sure, the cost is passed on to the customer but it should be all inclusive rather than nit picking everything from movies to bags to breathing their germy air. You know they'll soon be charging you for breathing.
One summer, back in the early 80's, several airlines were offering $99 NY to California tickets, so we decided to take the girls out to the west coast for vacation..movie studios..the whole nine yards.
Pretty sure it was American Airlines, and it was a 747..packed..Back then, they had the movie screens that dropped down at the front of each cabin. They would show the movie after meal service was finished. We had bad weather taking off from JFK, so drinks and meal service were delayed. The movie was a good one, and long..can't remember the title, but towards the climax of the film, the lights go on, the stewardess announces that we're beginning our descent into LAX, etc..and the passengers go nuts...complaining....they all want to see the end of the movie..after about 5 minutes of loud arguments, a stewardess gets on the PA..and screams.."What's the matter with you people? What the hell do you expect for $99?"
I think the TV option represents the highest degree of consumer choice-it’s completely up to me if I want it, as are most snacks and alcoholic drinks. Therefore, I support it.
Airlines can’t just make all these offerings “free,” as they do represent costs to them. Plus, if Frontier offers TV and other airlines don’t, the other airlines can charge cheaper fares. Many consumers go after the lowest fare possible, so the optional cost for a frill makes sense.
Of course, I don’t agree with the baggage fees (which is why I also like Southwest Airlines). Traveling usually assumes that you’re taking some changes of clothing, and you can’t just shove those in a carry-on bag.
Remember when airfares made air travel out of reach for most people?
I recently booked a flight on a no frill carrier and was shocked to learn I had to pay extra to have a reserved seat. I opted for the reserved seat since at $50 per bag for checked luggage, I could imagine a general cattle call for boarding with passengers bringing everything short of steamer trunks for carry on bags all surging toward the plane at once...kind of like boarding a bus in some third world country but without the live chickens.
LOLOLOL!
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