What is it that I’ve got against airlines? Let’s start at the beginning ? airfares. Generally, we expect that two different people will pay about the same price for identical services. So why is it that on an airplane you’re unlikely to find two people who paid the same price for their seats? Buying an airline ticket is like playing the stock market ? if you wait another day will the price go up or down? Airlines should offer simple, flat rates for their tickets, so you can plan ahead without committing to buying a ticket six months before you leave.
Second, the check-in farce. While it’s understandable that everyone should arrive a reasonable time before take off (it always takes at least 30 minutes for everyone to get on the plane), turn-up-and-go shuttle services show that airlines don’t need people to check in early. And if you can fly from New York to L.A. with a one-hour check-in, there’s absolutely no reason why you should need to turn up two hours in advance for an international flight — unless it’s to persuade you to spend more time in the Duty Free shop.
