Airlines

[Starthinker]

Just a rant about airlines. I always thought they had dubious business practices but this takes the cake. I have a friend visiting and we checked flights and a round trip from the 28th-1st was exactly the same price as a round trip from the 28th-2nd. So my friend accidently books the latter, and just about an hour later realizes her mistake and calls them back. To move the second flight back a day will cost $300. Since it's short notice she can't cancel her entire flight and rebook with the new dates without losing even more. I know it costs money to fly, but that is absolutely crazy. Why on earth do they charge so much just to move a single date? An hour after the first booking? Ugh, I hate airlines sometimes.

[balrog666]

Because they can.

[vexed]

Hopefully your friend learns a lesson in 'paying attention to detail'.

[shadron]

Look up the legal meaning of deregulation and see how it affects you. You may be surprised by what they can do to/for you.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Fly Southwest whenever possible.

[Rob Lister]

Hopefully not a derail (because my post is oriented to the forum of business) but I can't understand how any airline makes money. The risk is so huge that no rational person would attempt it -- unless they had an out. Of course, every airline does have an out. The out is the corporate exemption.

Consider the cost of the enterprise. Consider the risks. Even for a start-up -- one not encumbered with union concerns -- there really seems no upside other than the salary of being in the loop (in whatever position).

I just don't get it.