Ryanair poll: would you stand on a plane to save money?

In very restricted circumstances, this could be a worthwhile option…..trouble is once “standing” travel is accepted on any level, airlines will begin expanding its use and its cost. Subway systems in different parts of the country are thinking the same way….if passengers who must stand are now paying full fare as are the seated passengers, and its tolerated, why not make everyone stand for the same fare and squeeze in many more people.

At some point, the monetary inducement and short distances put in place to induce acceptance would become “normal” fares and the distances would get longer. Then, someone on crutches or accompanied by small children, or the elderly would have to start paying “premium” fares to get the few seats available.

So it isn’t whether or not this idea might fly in some circumstances, its about thinking down the road to where airlines will take it if its accepted on any level.

Imagine piling the stress of hours early arrival at airports, security checks and surly underpaid airline employees with “standing” the whole way. Perhaps the increasing misery of today’s air travel serves to keep a highly mobile population from moving around so much.

And what happens when a “short flight of approximately one hour” gets delayed on the tarmac and stretches to four, five, or six hours?

Why not? People do it all the time now on commuter trains – stand for an hour or so because all the seats are taken. The aircraft configuration also looks like it would be less tiring than on a train, where your arm is holding on to that overhead strap or bar.

The usual publicity through confected “controversy” by an airline that genuinely holds its customers in contempt. Why do you fall for it, time after time?