Venting…
Ok, so I'm traveling a lot this summer from PHX to PDX and back 'n forth and why in the heck did the airlines start charging $25 for the 2nd bag? I mean, come on now, with the price of gas going up, you might see me taking the Greyhound back 'n forth. Maybe I'll hitchhike down to LA then walk because it'd be a lot cheaper, lol.
On that same tip, I flew to AZ recently and had to park in long-term parking. First, I didn’t know how far away it was. I had a 40-lb bag filled with shoes, clothes, and a gift for my brother for graduating high school. And then I had my golf clubs, which weigh about 45 lbs themselves.
So, it's raining, I'm lugging these two bags and didn't realize that there's a shuttle to go to the gate. So I start walking at 7:25. Why did it take me 15 minutes to walk all the way to the terminal to check in? I don’t complain about exercise, but I definitely didn’t want to be sweating profusely while walking around the PDX airport. I felt like I was in a World's Strongest Man contest. The heavy luggage pull should be put in next year.
But what I want to know, if there is anything that bothers you that you have to get off your chest, let me know. And keep your complaints clean and respectful; I have a lot of young readers, too.
June 5th, 2008 - 13:27
Totally agree with what you’re saying. I’m in high school, and every year I save up my money to fly from here all the way over to the East Coast (Georgia) to visit some good friends of mine that moved over there. But like you said, it would cost me a hundred bucks just to drive to the airport and back, and then ~450 for a ticket! It’s great to go visit friends, but it’s really a tough decision of whether or not to go when it’s that much dough.
It’s not really the airlines’ fault…they’re losing money right now. It’s just a tough situation for everyone.
June 5th, 2008 - 15:25
Channing, I feel ya! I heard a rumor that it was June, in Oregon. Go figure. Lived here 34 years and this is the most I’ve ever hated the rain.
I’m thinking about writing a letter. Who should I write to, to get that changed?
Anyway, KPW.
Andrew
June 5th, 2008 - 21:21
Channing, I’m totally feeling your pain. The airline industry is such a bloody scam.
@ Chad: I believe it is the airlines’ fault. Their business model is so flawed, I don’t even know where to begin! I’m not sure consumers realize all the subsidies and tax breaks that airlines and airports get from all levels of the government. It’s truly disgusting. And, despite all these benefits, they still struggle to turn a profit! Thus, I fly only when it’s absolutely necessary.
/rant
BTW great blog! Keep up the great work!
Peace!
June 5th, 2008 - 22:00
Are you enjoying our beautiful Portland summer? =[
June 5th, 2008 - 23:12
Hey Channing, what do you think of Toronto as a city?
June 6th, 2008 - 02:30
Channing frye is the most amazing person God will ever put in your path… Anyone blessed enough to really know him and his amazing family should be so greatful. While i don’t agree with all is choices I hope he knows how amazing he is is not as a ball player but as a human being. I will never find such a genuine person as C frye aka llama breath
Love always his best friend kristin
June 6th, 2008 - 07:36
Llama breath huh??? I hope that erased from my brain before b-ball season next year, I don’t want to see Channing on my big screen, and think “llama breath”
June 6th, 2008 - 08:53
Bummer about the long walk and $25 a bag. Might want to try the following next time:
-valet service; pull up to departures and hand your keys to the valet
-long term parking (very close to the termnal); a little more $$ than long term, but the walk is 5 minutes or there is a shuttle bus that runs constantly as well
- car service; from downtown shouldn’t be more than $50 each way
- refuse to pay the $25 extra if you’re flying first class; ask for the supervisor and explain how much you plan on flying this summer.
good luck
June 6th, 2008 - 10:45
Yo Frye, thanks for speaking up for the guys who can’t afford the extra 25$ or valet, or car service. It’s nice to see that you still have the eye on the other guy! We all know that you could afford to fly a jet if you wanted. I was checking in bags and a sky cap held onto my $5 as if he did not want to give it back to me for change. After I paid for the extra bag I needed that $5 so he got $2. At the end of the day regardless of how much you make it all adds up! Keep talking cause we’re listening….
June 7th, 2008 - 12:43
Definitely not loving spring in PDX so far, I grew up in Oregon, and moved to Portland about ten years ago … worst weather I can remember this late into the year — Ugh.
Beyond that, the cost of fuel is impacting every part of the economy, and it’s only going to get worse. If anyone has the inclination to do a little reading this guy (professor of geology at Princeton) breaks it down for you:
http://www.princeton.edu/hubbert/current-events.html
June 7th, 2008 - 14:25
people who want their groceries bagged in paper then put into a plastic bag. I mean, who in the heck came up with this ludicrous idea? NEWSFLASH! It doesn’t make i any easier to carry as the paper bags have handles and you can’t fit any more stuff inside of them! Everytime someone asks for this type of bagging, I am thinking, thanks for being extremely wasteful.
June 7th, 2008 - 15:48
While PDX is probably one of the best airports in the U.S., their internet service bugs me. It’s nice that it is free, but what’s good about being free if there is no bandwidth?
June 8th, 2008 - 01:34
My only complaint is you didn’t come to the joint bday party on May 17th! No, I’m just playing with you.
My friends and I were talking about you today when we were waiting for the Parade this morning. Looking forward to watching you next year in a Blazers uniform.
Get in touch if you want to come to a BBQ this summer.
June 8th, 2008 - 14:25
Hey with all the gas prices up and a president who doesn’t care we need Barack Obama! not another republican who’s best friends with oil companies!
You voting Obama O8 Channing?