Apr. 25, 2006 - 15:49 MDT

OLD CUSTOMS

Dunno, I sort of expected this sort of thing, just didn't know it would come up this soon. An article in this morning's Rocky Mountain News, in the business section of course, is perhaps an omen of things to come. Article by Christopher Elliott of The New York Times, quoted in full without my italics and bolds:

AIRBUS PUSHES STANDING-ROOM-ONLY SKIES

"The airlines have come up with a new answer to an old question: How many passengers can be squeezed into economy class ?

"A lot more, it turns out, especially if an idea still in the early stage should catch on: standing-room-only "seats." Airbus has been quietly pitching the standing-room-only option to Asian carriers, though none has agreed to it yet. Passengers in the standing section would be propped against a padded backboard, held in place with a harness, according to experts who have seen a proposal."

"But even short of that option, carriers have been slipping another row or two of seats into coach by exploiting stronger, lighter materials developed by seat manufacturers that allow for slimmer seatbacks. The thinner seats theroetically could be used to give passengers more leg room, but, in practice, the airlilnes have been keeping the amount of space between rows the same."

"The result is an additional six seats on a typical Boeing 737 for a total of 156 and as many as 12 new seats on a Boeing 757 for a total of 200."

"That such things are even being considered is a result of several factors. High fuel costs, for example. are making it difficult for carriers to turn a profit. The new seat technology alone, when used to add more places for passengers, can add millions in additional annual revenue. The new designs also reduce a seat's weight by up to 15 pounds, helping to hold down fuel consumption. A typical seat in economy class now weigh 74 to 82 pounds."

"There is clearly pressure on carriers to make the total passenger count as efficient as possible," said Howard Guy, a director from Design Q, a seating design consultant in Egland. "After all, the fewer seats that are put on board, the more expensive the seat price becomes. It's basic math."

"Even as the airlines are trimming the size of the seatbacks in coach, they are installing seats as thick and heavy as ever in first and business class -- and going to great lengths to promote them. That is because each passenger in such a seat can generate several times the revenue of a coach traveler."

"At the front of the cabin, the emphasis is on comfort and amenities such as sophisticated entertainment systems. Soom of the new seats eveh feature in-seat electronic massagers. And, of course, the airlines have installed lie-flat seats for their premium passengers on international routes."

"Seating specialists say that the publicity airlines devote to their premium seats diverts attention from what is happening in the back of the plane. In the main cabin, they say, manufactureres are under intense pressure to create more efficient seats."

"We make the seats thinner," said Alexander Pozzi, the director for research and development at Weber Aircraft, a seat manufacturer in Gainesville, Texas. "The airlines keep pitching them closer and closer together. We just try to make them as comfortable as we can."

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In my own personal experience, there is less and less leg room as time goes by, and less side to side room also. My flights are in the express "el cheapos" and sardines might have more room in their cans than the passengers in such aircraft to my way of thinking.

I used to remark that if airlines kept putting things closer together a person would have to come to their row, step sidewise into their position and stand all the way to destination.

Somebody must have been listening . . . . . . . . I should have kept my big flapper shut.

Even in the urban transportation systems, seating has always been available, except for the few crowded conveyances that did provide straps for the latecomers to hang onto. Trains, likewise, intercity buses too. I have been uncomfortable in aircraft for quite some time now, griped and put up with it, but I'll be damned if I will ever stand up for a two hour flight - - - I'll stay home or ride AMTRAK for two days to get to Oregon if I have to. And try to make out without my oxygen. At my level of consumption I suppose an extra day of rest when I get back on the oxy will pretty well take care of the situation. And perhaps I will be able to get a respite whiff here and there. Whatever . . . . . .

It seems that us crippled folk who must sit down and can't afford first class fare will be SOL (sure out of luck) when the changes have been made -- no room to get in.

I know that airlines have to turn a profit, quite understandable, one suggestion I have is to quit paying their CEOs and upper echelon folks such outrageous salaries and perks and quit providing "golden parachutes" to those who are discarded along the way.

Seems like the push has been to cut wages and benefits drastically and drop working conditions down, down, down for the folks who do the actual work, take the responsibilities and risks of the jobs and ensure the safety of the aircraft and cater to the customers on board, while the biggies draw the exorbitant millions of dollars.

They keep telling us that we are in a new era and that things have changed, and of course they have, but I think some of us must draw a line in the sand and refuse to give up some OLD CUSTOMS . . . . . . . . .

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