Steve Brown

This is a very good summary and a good reason to organize. If every
state racing group wrote a letter to each airline reminding them that
we have a choice and are a desirable demographic and how many numbers
are involved, maybe they would get the point.

On Jan 21, 2010, at 8:48 AM, chood1@comcast.net wrote:

> From what I learned while living in MN from a friend at Northwest
> Airlines is that the ski industry and golf industry make up a huge
> amount of business for the airlines. So much so that many airports
> in key ski vacation and golf vacation towns offer discounted gate
> fees/terminal fees/maintenance fees, etc to get airlines to fly
> their planes to these locations...thus it is cheaper for an airline
> to fly to a place like Denver which relies heavily on the ski
> industry for tourist money, etc. So with the cheaper charges to the
> airlines (and a little pressure from Denver Airport) the airlines
> don't charge a fee for those skis so that a trip to ski country
> becomes more affordable for the skier and a ski vacation becomes
> more likely. Golf works the same way. It is almost like a lobby
> working for these two sports. Thing about skiing and golf is that
> you need to travel to do it. Bicycling...you can do that from your
> front door. There are no cycling destinations in the airlines eyes
> and there are no incentives from cycling towns to offset the extra
> handling costs the airlines face from moving bicycles.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: halfwheelhill@yahoo.com
> To: "david baker" , obra-bounces@list.obra.org,
> judson@math.harvard.edu, obra@list.obra.org
> Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 8:21:17 AM GMT -08:00 US/Canada
> Pacific
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Email from Delta
>
> Southwest airlines still only charges 50 for bikes which is what
> the charge was for years, and no charge for luggage. Southwest is
> the only airlines to consistently show a profit. I just wish they
> flew out of eugene because I would give them my business.
>
> Scott
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "david baker"
> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:06:19
> To: ;
> Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Email from Delta
>
> I don't think corporations are worried about offending anyone.
> Revenue is there only concern. They have to weigh all of the
> potentials,
> they may think they would lose a lot of primary sales by charging
> for golf
> and ski equipment, as they may see that as a large part of their
> sales. And
> those skis and clubs probably stack easier than bikes anyways. And
> take up
> less space.
> Fortunately, understanding their ideas of how to make money is not
> necessary, you just go elsewhere, and if they are all doing it then
> I guess
> you don't fly.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Thomas W. Judson"
> To:
> Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 5:32 AM
> Subject: [OBRA Chat] Email from Delta
>
>
> Here is the email that I received from Delta. I guess that I will
> be taking
> this part of my business elsewhere. By the way, there is no
> special charge
> for golf clubs or skis. This is probably because the airlines do
> not want
> to offend the skiers and the golfers. Skis and a boot bag check as
> a single
> item, measure over 62 linear inches and probably weigh more than a
> bike in a
> soft case. If you want the bicycle policy to change, email the
> airlines.
> If you don't, Delta and the other airlines will just keep hiking
> the fares.
>
> Dear Mr. Judson,
>
> Thank you for your e-mail to Delta Air Lines.
>
> There is a cost associated with the special handling of all sports
> equipment, and the fees are consistent with other charges. Although we
> have not always charged a fee in the past, our current policy is to
> adhere to the collection of all applicable fees.
>
> Mr. Judson, thank you again for giving us an opportunity to respond to
> your concern. We very much appreciate your Medallion loyalty to Delta
> and look forward to the privilege of serving you again soon.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Jeff Smith
> Online Customer Support Desk
> http://www.delta.com
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org