Survey from Westjet

[The Ditch]

I read an article about a survey Westjest has sent around to some customers asking questions on whether or not they would either, spend $10, or, save $10 for such things as sitting next to a baby.

This list is here (taken from the consumerist, http://consumerist.com/5081977/airli...ay-from-babies )

FEE - $10 more for:

• Priority boarding (getting on the plane first)
• Priority disembarking (getting off the plane first)
• Expedited baggage delivery
• Priority rebooking in case of flight cancellation
• Complimentary meals/hotel accommodations when a flight is either cancelled or substantially delayed
• In-flight Internet access
• Guaranteed space in the overhead bin
• In-seat power
• Premium snack/meal offering
• A freshly laundered pillow/blanket set that you may keep after the flight
• An amenity kit with earplugs, eyeshades and toiletries to keep you refreshed on the plane
• A wait of 10 minutes or less to clear security checkpoints
• Sitting away from parents traveling with babies/small children

SAVINGS - $10 off for

• Savings for not checking bags
• Savings for not earning frequent flier miles
• Savings for only bringing aboard one small piece of carry-on baggage (e.g., only a purse or computer bag)
• Savings for being the last to board
• Savings for using online check-in instead of a kiosk
• Savings for using either a kiosk or online check-in instead of a human agent
• Savings for having my checked luggage to be among the last to be delivered
• Savings for sitting in a middle seat
• Savings for making no changes to your ticket prior to departure
• Savings for not getting free water, coffee/tea, juices or soft drinks in flight
• Savings for having a seat that does not recline
• Savings to sit close to parents traveling with babies/small children

Now, I would like to know what everyone thinks about this, assuming Westjet might move forward with some of these ideas. I always liked Westjet because they are a no nonsense airline, you get what you paid for and there aren't many hidden charges that will add up. It's interesting to note some of the ways of saving $10 dollars as I really don't need a reclining chair and I don't mind having a middle seat.

[Sample00]

Having travelled quite a bit.
sign me up for the $10.00 more option.
cheap isnt always the best. I prefer to spend a bit more for better service and more ammenities.
Flight patterns are the biggest though. rather spend more for a better flight pattern than cheap out and have a milk run.

[The Ditch]

Originally Posted by Sample00

Having travelled quite a bit.
sign me up for the $10.00 more option.
cheap isnt always the best. I prefer to spend a bit more for better service and more ammenities.
Flight patterns are the biggest though. rather spend more for a better flight pattern than cheap out and have a milk run.

I think it is supposed to be $10 more PER item on that list, unless that's what you meant and I'm misunderstanding you. I could see it benefiting people who travel frequently.

[Claeren]

I have never understood why airports themselves do not have a priority VIP line at security where you swipe your credit card (or whatever) and pay a premium to zoom through security. When busy the price goes up and when slow it goes down (as prices should respond in the market).

Use that money and reinvest it in providing more expedited security services for everyone else.

I know there have been mornings at the airport where I would have paid $10 no problem!



Claeren.

[KTrain]

Tomorrow I'm flying WestJet with my 6 month old. I'll pay $10 more for someone not to sit next to me.

[chid]

Interesting.. a lot of these are really going to irk a lot of WestJet employees, and I bet they won't go through with a lot of this. Although, I suppose *if* someone is wililng to pay for it, great. I just don't believe it follows a lot of WestJet's attitudes re: treating everyone equally. I just cannot wait to have to ask all of these ######ed questions to guests calling in and wanting to book a flight..

[tvp2003]

I'm guessing this is more of a general survey and that Westjet has no specific plans on providing $10 +/- "options". They have a great reputation for not nickel and dime-ing customers, so I would be very surprised to see them start now (current economic conditions notwithstanding).

[Ryan Coke]

This is just info gathering, don't read too much into it.

[Ford Prefect]

At $10 per option, I'd save $80 on my ticket based on my usual flight tendencies. I'd swap three of those for value added options and still save enough for a half decent bottle of scotch. Sounds good to me ... go for it WestJet!

[Incogneto]

FEE - $10 more for:

• Priority boarding (getting on the plane first) - I Would pay $10 to get on the plane last...who wants on FIRST?!?!?!
• Expedited baggage delivery
• In-flight Internet access

SAVINGS - $10 off for

• Savings for not checking bags
• Savings for only bringing aboard one small piece of carry-on baggage (e.g., only a purse or computer bag)
• Savings for being the last to board - THAT'S WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!
• Savings for using online check-in instead of a kiosk
• Savings for sitting in a middle seat
• Savings for making no changes to your ticket prior to departure

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by Claeren

I have never understood why airports themselves do not have a priority VIP line at security where you swipe your credit card (or whatever) and pay a premium to zoom through security. When busy the price goes up and when slow it goes down (as prices should respond in the market).

Use that money and reinvest it in providing more expedited security services for everyone else.

I know there have been mornings at the airport where I would have paid $10 no problem!



Claeren.

First class and business class flyers can cut the security lines in Toronto and Montreal.

I don't think in Calgary, though it's not usually a big wait here.

[DementedReality]

Originally Posted by InCoGnEtO

...who wants on FIRST?!?!?!

as someone who is on about 50 flights a year, i want to get on first.

a) i hate having my bags behind me. nothing like trying to swim up stream to get the bags.

b) i hate having to wait behind people who were not prepared PRIOR to boarding and now take up the whole aisle while the get their stuff out of the bag and other assorted slowness that holds up the process.

[jammies]

I would pay an extra $50 to go on a plane where there were no security checks, no id checks, and they locked you into the cabin with two guys armed with machine pistols and the authority to hose down the plane if anyone made trouble.

As far as Westjet's ideas go, I'd save on carry-on baggage and being the last to board, and wouldn't pay for anything extra except priority re-booking.

[Bend it like Bourgeois]

Originally Posted by fotze

I find its impossible to avoid those people, unless you are in first class of course.

I was the 6th guy in first class last week and this was still an issue. After the 5 dorks sat down the overhead bins were totally full. Not even room for my laptop.

5 guys filled first class. Unbelievable.

[chid]

Originally Posted by InCoGnEtO

FEE - $10 more for:

• Priority boarding (getting on the plane first) - I Would pay $10 to get on the plane last...who wants on FIRST?!?!?!
• Expedited baggage delivery
• In-flight Internet access

SAVINGS - $10 off for

• Savings for not checking bags
• Savings for only bringing aboard one small piece of carry-on baggage (e.g., only a purse or computer bag)
• Savings for being the last to board - THAT'S WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT!!!
• Savings for using online check-in instead of a kiosk
• Savings for sitting in a middle seat
• Savings for making no changes to your ticket prior to departure

Tons of people want on first, as soon as the person calls for pre-boarding majority of the folks are hovering around waiting to get on the plane like freakin' vultures.

[C_Rush]

Originally Posted by KTrain

Tomorrow I'm flying WestJet with my 6 month old. I'll pay $10 more for someone not to sit next to me.

Just after our son was born, my wife's grandmother passed away. We were living in Alberta at the time and had to fly back to Vancouver Island. Our son was 3 months old and we were seated on a WestJet flight next a gentleman who obviously did not look pleased to be sitting next to a baby all flight. When a stewardess offered him the chance to change seats he jumped at it and wound up next to a 2 year old who had an ear infection and cried the entire flight. Our son slept the whole way and didn't utter a peep.

[Thor]

I would pay a lot extra for leg room seats, still confused why I see people in those seats that could barely touch the wall IF they straightened their legs.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Thor

I would pay a lot extra for leg room seats, still confused why I see people in those seats that could barely touch the wall IF they straightened their legs.

I would do the same. Quite often i try to get the exit row or bulkhead seats that have the extra leg room.

[chid]

you can pay 15 for the emergency exit row seating now with west jet anyways.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by chid

you can pay 15 for the emergency exit row seating now with west jet anyways.

While that is true, in my last 5 flights in the last 6 months, I've seen plenty of kids and short people in extra leg room seats.

I have quite a few friends in Westjet, the biggest problem is consistency and they know how much it isn't about who's ideal for those seats but who they like or get long with most at the counter.

I know one counter westjetter said that he put a family of 5 in the front 1 row based on the fact no one wants to be near a family of young kids, and that there was 'ample room' in front of the seats for the kids to play if they so chose in that row.

I was a travel agent for 3yrs, and I travel a lot. The fact fat people have a seat and I know agents do their best once sizing you up to move you to a clear area; they don't quite do the same for really tall people.

I can lose weight, but I can't lose height.

So what priority is wrong here?