No Frills, No Shoes, No Service

According to Superman (in the films anyways), 'statistically speaking (flying) is the safest way to travel.' And now thanks to the the latest low-cost, no-frills airline, Skybus, it is also becoming one of the most inexpensive ways as well. Skybus began services earlier this week and is gaining a lot of recognition mainly because they have seats available for as little as $10. That's right; only $10! Now some of you may be wondering what the catch is; well, there is one catch and that is that there are only ten such seats per flight so that means you have to get in on the trip early to get the deal. They offer other levels as well which include $30 and $50 as well as $330 for those who show up at the gate looking for a seat. This new airline's arrival on the scene suddenly brings to light some interesting questions on the airline industry today.

One may wonder why it is then that if Skybus can afford to sell seats (even if it's only ten of them) for $10, why do airlines like Delta, United and such charge so much for similar domestic flights? Well, one of the reasons for it is the fact that Skybus will fly you from state to state but not necessarily to the airport you're expecting. If you fly into New York, the chances of your flight landing at JFK are about as likely as Mike Tyson gaining a ninth grade education. It is possible but not likely at this point. The reason for this is that the more popular the airport, the higher the costs to use the facility. For example, because there are so many popular airlines and destinations accessible from JFK, the charges that are levied upon the airlines at these places are much higher than any place else. These costs are then translated down to the passenger.

That's why anyone flying into DC will often find cheaper fares for flying into Baltimore versus flying into Dulles or National (I'm a local boy so I'll never call it Reagan National). So now okay, you're saving money by flying into small time airports a bit farther away from your eventual destination city but why else can the airline afford to practically give seats away? Well, as a low-cost carrier, they won't offer much by way of service. Don't expect meals or a la carte menus on these flights. After all, you get what you pay for and considering you can end up paying more for a dinner for two at McDonald's than you may to travel on Skybus from east coast to west coast, it's not surprising at all that you don't get much service. But then again, how much service do you really get on most domestic flights these days anyways?

Most domestic flights these days offer you a complimentary drink (and occasional refill) and a bag of either 8 pretzel wheels or 7 garlic stick chips. According to Skybus, these costs are already rolled into the cost of the ticket on other airlines, they are choosing to segment the cost and not force it upon the customer but rather leave the choice up to the passenger. For an extra $2 you can get a soda or coffee (still cheaper than Starbucks) and for $10 you can get a meal (cheaper than most meal options at the airport). You want a pillow? No problem for $8 you can have one but at least you'll get to keep it. Great, an airline pillow, something more to carry with me when I go through security. I'm almost hesitant to even consider it but I'm beginning to wonder if the overhead lockers are also available for $1 per bag or whether at least those services will remain free.

The hub for Skybus is Columbus, Ohio; so what that means is that every flight goes through Columbus, Ohio so if you're looking for a nonstop flight across the country to anyplace other than Columbus, well, you're out of luck. In order to get across the country you'll fly into Columbus and then claim your bags before rechecking them to continue on your next leg. Also, by encouraging check-ins online or at electronic kiosks, you cut costs by minimizing the ground staff required. When you board you won't board from a gate, but rather walking across the tarmac and up the stairs. Not a bad thing in the long run I guess. I'm just waiting to hear the day come when they start asking passengers to load their own bags into the cargo compartment or fuel up the plane before taking their seats. As long as they aren't asking passengers to help be co-pilots on the plane I guess it isn't so bad.

Skybus is quite aptly named because it is literally making travel by air something akin to bus travel. I mean sure, if you're flying into Los Angeles you may not land at LAX but rather at Millersville Municipal Airport but still, you're saving a bundle by doing it. I'm curious to see whether this experiment really takes off. In some respects it's like Southwest but with even less service than before. I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing. With the state of airlines these days and the deteriorating service that you often find, it is refreshing to note that someone is trying to make it look like you're getting a bargain on the plane. Just remember, those of you seated in the emergency aisle row must be able to help in an emergency; those seated closest to the galley will be required to help provide beverage service. Passengers are encouraged to bring magazines aboard the plane since we don't have our own, plus they can double as a table for your lap seeing as how we don't have tray tables. Then again we don't serve anything unless you pay for it so why have tray tables at all? Maybe there isn't anything so new in this airline after all.