>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
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