Author Topic: Any Sandwich That Costs More Than $12 Should Be Legally Obligated to Have a Side  (Read 22222 times)

MgoSam

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3684
  • Location: Minnesota
but I don't want to have to beg strangers to move so I can sit with my kids.

I think the solution to this is just to sit your child down in a middle seat between two random people. The younger child, the better the strategy works.

Yeah, I would be happy to switch seats with you if it means not being next to a child, especially as that means that the child's parent is sitting with them.

MgoSam

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3684
  • Location: Minnesota
Thanks! When I think of sandwiches, I've usually gotten sliced pepper jack cheese, a slice meat of some variety. I just don't know what spread to use, I don't really like mayo. What do you think will go well with it?

Mustard if it's ham and cheese. BBQ sauce if it's beef.

Any suggestions besides BBQ? I'm not a huge fan of it. I've tried putting Frank's but it isn't really a good sauce for sandwiches. For the time being I'll likely pass on sandwiches and just make something in the slow cooker Sunday night for most of my lunches during the week.

I'm a mustard man myself.  Horseradish sauce?

That is definitely worth trying!

Since this thread started, I've been thinking about Zingerman's and found their recipe for a Reuben. It would take some time to do it, but I could probably make a decent Reuben on my own....

mm1970

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 10859
but I don't want to have to beg strangers to move so I can sit with my kids.

I think the solution to this is just to sit your child down in a middle seat between two random people. The younger child, the better the strategy works.
I tried that!  Actually once I flew a red-eye with my 5 year old.  We were not seated together, so I asked the lady next to him to switch.  He was in a row of 5, 2nd seat in, she was in the aisle.

She said "I'm fine with kids, I've got kids" because she didn't want to give up her aisle seat.  Man, it's an overnight flight!!  I'm sure he wants to put his head in my lap!

Luckily I also had an aisle, so we switched.

Merrie

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 463
  • Location: Midwest
but I don't want to have to beg strangers to move so I can sit with my kids.

I think the solution to this is just to sit your child down in a middle seat between two random people. The younger child, the better the strategy works.
I tried that!  Actually once I flew a red-eye with my 5 year old.  We were not seated together, so I asked the lady next to him to switch.  He was in a row of 5, 2nd seat in, she was in the aisle.

She said "I'm fine with kids, I've got kids" because she didn't want to give up her aisle seat.  Man, it's an overnight flight!!  I'm sure he wants to put his head in my lap!

Luckily I also had an aisle, so we switched.

On the one Southwest trip we took, we had our daughter as a lap baby (6 months old) so putting her in the seat wouldn't have worked. By the time we got on the flight it would be all middle seats all the way back as all the windows and aisles were taken. We could have gotten one parent next to her by working a swap of some sort. I would much rather purchase 3 seats in a row (well, now 4).

I used a variant of this technique another time though. I flew with just her (she was 2 by then and flying on her own ticket) and it was a small plane with 1 seat on one side of the aisle and 2 seats on the other. She and I were assigned to the 1 seat and the opposite aisle. Since the person in the other window seat hadn't yet shown up, I just took the 2 seats together for my daughter and me, and explained to him what I'd done when he showed up, and he was cool with it.

Jack

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4725
  • Location: Atlanta, GA
This might be relevant to the topic:
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2014/09/22/lessons-in-badassity-from-a-night-in-houston/

I thought about this article as I was sitting there - truthfully, it helped a little.  My main complain(y pants)t was that United called their $7 pittance a "meal voucher" knowing full well that you can't even buy a ham and cheese sandwich in the airport for $7.
Last time I looked, I could at least get a moderate dose of fast food for that much, but it's definitely on the modest side. Even in my small regional airport, which runs cheap, a good breakfast would cost more than that.

Pro-tip for those flying through Atlanta: $7 will almost get you an entree at the Chipotle in concourse D (it might get closer to $8 after tax). So far, it's the only restaurant in there I've found that isn't marked up relative to non-airport locations. (Apparently, the starving African children business (?!) is paying off.)

Also, the best airport breakfast is to go to Five Guys Burgers and Fries (also in concourse D) and order a fried egg sandwich with a burger patty (and the usual toppings, of course) added to it. It will also cost about $7, I think.


For the poster who asked about it. My universal secrets to sandwich making are:

4. Less is more. No more than five ingredients.

ಠ_ಠ

No, this is a sandwich!




Mayo is a liberal conspiracy.

Anyone who thinks this just hasn't tried the right kind yet. Different brands of mayo taste surprisingly different (and homemade is even more so).

TrMama

  • Guest
but I don't want to have to beg strangers to move so I can sit with my kids.

I think the solution to this is just to sit your child down in a middle seat between two random people. The younger child, the better the strategy works.

This has always been our strategy too. "Here's your seat dear! If you need anything this nice business man next to you will help you."
« Last Edit: August 21, 2015, 03:49:04 PM by TrMama »

TrMama

  • Guest
Thanks! When I think of sandwiches, I've usually gotten sliced pepper jack cheese, a slice meat of some variety. I just don't know what spread to use, I don't really like mayo. What do you think will go well with it?

Mustard if it's ham and cheese. BBQ sauce if it's beef.

Any suggestions besides BBQ? I'm not a huge fan of it. I've tried putting Frank's but it isn't really a good sauce for sandwiches. For the time being I'll likely pass on sandwiches and just make something in the slow cooker Sunday night for most of my lunches during the week.

I'm a mustard man myself.  Horseradish sauce?

Cream cheese or mashed avocado.

mm1970

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 10859
but I don't want to have to beg strangers to move so I can sit with my kids.

I think the solution to this is just to sit your child down in a middle seat between two random people. The younger child, the better the strategy works.
I tried that!  Actually once I flew a red-eye with my 5 year old.  We were not seated together, so I asked the lady next to him to switch.  He was in a row of 5, 2nd seat in, she was in the aisle.

She said "I'm fine with kids, I've got kids" because she didn't want to give up her aisle seat.  Man, it's an overnight flight!!  I'm sure he wants to put his head in my lap!

Luckily I also had an aisle, so we switched.

On the one Southwest trip we took, we had our daughter as a lap baby (6 months old) so putting her in the seat wouldn't have worked. By the time we got on the flight it would be all middle seats all the way back as all the windows and aisles were taken. We could have gotten one parent next to her by working a swap of some sort. I would much rather purchase 3 seats in a row (well, now 4).

I used a variant of this technique another time though. I flew with just her (she was 2 by then and flying on her own ticket) and it was a small plane with 1 seat on one side of the aisle and 2 seats on the other. She and I were assigned to the 1 seat and the opposite aisle. Since the person in the other window seat hadn't yet shown up, I just took the 2 seats together for my daughter and me, and explained to him what I'd done when he showed up, and he was cool with it.
We buy 4 seats in a row.

But strangely, some time after we bought our tickets for this trip, but before the flight, they "moved" my 9 year old up 9 rows or so.  It was weird.

MrsPete

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3505
http://jezebel.com/any-sandwich-that-costs-more-than-12-should-be-legally-1723951662

or make your own sandwich, it's some bread with avocado and tomato on it FFS!
So she's whining because we live in a world where other people set the prices, and our only choice is to buy or not buy. 

Is she really so stupid as to ignore the dozen or so other options available to her?  Choose another restaurant, choose a less expensive option at this restaurant, eat before she leaves home, munch a granola bar as she walks down the street, stash breakfast fixings in her desk at work?  This limited thinking is why people whine, "No one can get ahead these days!"
I was stranded this weekend in Newark coming home from my brother's wedding.  Mechanical issues with United caused me to miss my connection.  Result - an extra 6 hours hanging around an airport.  I went to United Customer Service (an oxymoron) to see what they would do for me.  They gave me a "meal voucher" for my troubles.  The "meal voucher" was for $7.  I found a ham and cheese sandwich that came to $12.80 after tax, no drink, no side.  I think this is the first time I have ever said this...I agree with Jezebel.  Also, United sucks.

That is all.
Okay, at the airport, you really are trapped.  You probably don't have transportation and sometimes don't know how long it'll be 'til you can leave, so you wouldn't go even if you had a car available.  So they jack the prices up.

But the answer here is clear:  Never go to the airport without a stash of snacks.  Sure, you can't bring liquids, so you'll probably end up paying $5 for a soda or coffee, but you food shouldn't pose the same issues.
Which in choosing to buy or not buy sets the price on things.  By not paying $13 for an avocado tartine (whatever a "tartine" is, and now my spell-check is blowing up so I am now googling tartine and most of the hits are Bakeries and such with the name Tartine and one "Free Dictionary" link stating that it is a French open faced sandwich with rich spreads, but the site seems very wiki-esque so I don't think this is a real word) you will in turn increase the likelihood of the bakery lowering prices.  By paying the $13 as you did, you increase the likelihood of the price staying the same or even rising.
Yeah, I have to admit that I didn't know that word ... nor am I familiar with whatever overpriced coconut drink she chose. 
I can't possibly know the author's intent, but what stuck out to me is when she mentioned the side as a culinary element of a meal; that a single sandwich is subtly unsatisfying if not paired with something else. When you pack your lunch, do you ever really bring just a sandwich, or do you at least grab a piece of fruit to go with it?
I think the OP's just whining, but your point is valid:  A sandwich doesn't always feel like "enough". 

In the case of this avocado toast, I suspect it literally isn't "enough".  A piece of bread and some fruit -- regardless of the price, she's going to be famished by lunchtime.  On the other hand, if this were scrambled egg on the toast, topped by the avocado and tomato -- that'd be considerably more filling. 

bludreamin

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 82

Okay, at the airport, you really are trapped.  You probably don't have transportation and sometimes don't know how long it'll be 'til you can leave, so you wouldn't go even if you had a car available.  So they jack the prices up.

But the answer here is clear:  Never go to the airport without a stash of snacks.  Sure, you can't bring liquids, so you'll probably end up paying $5 for a soda or coffee, but you food shouldn't pose the same issues.


Or you  pack an empty water bottle and fill that up at drinking fountain or sink after security.  You can also bring in powder/tablet drink mixes to add if you can't stand/get bored of water.

cavewoman

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 521
  • Age: 37
  • I'm a woman who likes caves
Ok ok, I love mayo.  If it's too boring for your sandwich, try mixing some stuff in it!  I like to mix in minced garlic, pepper, chili powder, A1, or italian dressing .... your mix may vary (he ymmv)!  And if it gets to runny from italian dressing, than just thicken it with some parmesean cheese.  I make it in a tupperware container and use it for a couple of days.  Mmmmm. 

EricP

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 477
That's why I won't fly Southwest, because with the boarding the way it is and the lack of assigned seats, I can't find seats together for my family. If it were just one or two adults that would be one thing but I don't want to have to beg strangers to move so I can sit with my kids.

Pretty sure if you just go talk to the counter they'll let you board first.  Seems like every time I fly Southwest the families are always getting on first.  They even might just announce it with the Handicapped and military personnel.

Chris22

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3770
  • Location: Chicago NW Suburbs
That's why I won't fly Southwest, because with the boarding the way it is and the lack of assigned seats, I can't find seats together for my family. If it were just one or two adults that would be one thing but I don't want to have to beg strangers to move so I can sit with my kids.

Pretty sure if you just go talk to the counter they'll let you board first.  Seems like every time I fly Southwest the families are always getting on first.  They even might just announce it with the Handicapped and military personnel.

Families board after the A group but before the B group (~60 people in) on Southwest.  You can get seats together but it won't be in the front of the plane. 

EricP

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 477
That's why I won't fly Southwest, because with the boarding the way it is and the lack of assigned seats, I can't find seats together for my family. If it were just one or two adults that would be one thing but I don't want to have to beg strangers to move so I can sit with my kids.

Pretty sure if you just go talk to the counter they'll let you board first.  Seems like every time I fly Southwest the families are always getting on first.  They even might just announce it with the Handicapped and military personnel.

Families board after the A group but before the B group (~60 people in) on Southwest.  You can get seats together but it won't be in the front of the plane.

Alright sounds perfect.  I can't stand hearing people complain about airlines.  Like can't we just be thankful that we're flying through the air at slightly less than the speed of sound?  Yes, they're charging for baggage.  Why? Because about every couple of years a new airline is going through some type of bankruptcy so maybe they need to be charging a bit more.  Personally, I think baggage fees are wonderful.  Let those who are taking up more jet fuel, pay a little bit more.  It encourages people to not pack so heavy and saves the planet a little bit. 

And honestly, it's a result of the market.  Whoever was the first company to do baggage fees got to drop their ticket prices and probably started seeing more ticket sales even though in the end passengers were paying the same amount.  So others followed.  If passengers would have revolted against baggage fees then it wouldn't have happened because it's not like they all rolled it out the same week.  If people stopped buying Delta when Delta put their baggage fees in, then it would never have spread.

I'm a red panda

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8186
  • Location: United States
Quote
It encourages people to not pack so heavy and saves the planet a little bit. 

No, it really doesn't. It encourages them to stuff it into a carry-on, so now it is nearly impossible to get overhead space on the plane and anyone in the last boarding (sometimes last two or even three) has to gate check a bag.

It used to be that about half the people boarding a plane needed the overhead bin, now it seems almost everyone does, and planes aren't built for that.

Drop ticket prices? Yeah- that hasn't happened.

mm1970

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 10859
Quote
It encourages people to not pack so heavy and saves the planet a little bit. 

No, it really doesn't. It encourages them to stuff it into a carry-on, so now it is nearly impossible to get overhead space on the plane and anyone in the last boarding (sometimes last two or even three) has to gate check a bag.

It used to be that about half the people boarding a plane needed the overhead bin, now it seems almost everyone does, and planes aren't built for that.

Drop ticket prices? Yeah- that hasn't happened.
I'd be happy to pay by weight.  Just weigh me and my bags - OH, and weigh my 29 pound toddler and HIS bag.

Chris22

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3770
  • Location: Chicago NW Suburbs
That's why I won't fly Southwest, because with the boarding the way it is and the lack of assigned seats, I can't find seats together for my family. If it were just one or two adults that would be one thing but I don't want to have to beg strangers to move so I can sit with my kids.

Pretty sure if you just go talk to the counter they'll let you board first.  Seems like every time I fly Southwest the families are always getting on first.  They even might just announce it with the Handicapped and military personnel.

Families board after the A group but before the B group (~60 people in) on Southwest.  You can get seats together but it won't be in the front of the plane.

Alright sounds perfect.  I can't stand hearing people complain about airlines.  Like can't we just be thankful that we're flying through the air at slightly less than the speed of sound?  Yes, they're charging for baggage.  Why? Because about every couple of years a new airline is going through some type of bankruptcy so maybe they need to be charging a bit more.  Personally, I think baggage fees are wonderful.  Let those who are taking up more jet fuel, pay a little bit more.  It encourages people to not pack so heavy and saves the planet a little bit. 

And honestly, it's a result of the market.  Whoever was the first company to do baggage fees got to drop their ticket prices and probably started seeing more ticket sales even though in the end passengers were paying the same amount.  So others followed.  If passengers would have revolted against baggage fees then it wouldn't have happened because it's not like they all rolled it out the same week.  If people stopped buying Delta when Delta put their baggage fees in, then it would never have spread.

Baggage fees came about originally in around the 2008 timeframe when gas got really expensive, as a result of airlines having to pay higher fuel prices.  They were presented as a fuel surcharge.   I'm sure you've noticed gas prices have come waaaaay down, and baggage fees are still here. 

Chris22

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3770
  • Location: Chicago NW Suburbs
Quote
It encourages people to not pack so heavy and saves the planet a little bit. 

No, it really doesn't. It encourages them to stuff it into a carry-on, so now it is nearly impossible to get overhead space on the plane and anyone in the last boarding (sometimes last two or even three) has to gate check a bag.

It used to be that about half the people boarding a plane needed the overhead bin, now it seems almost everyone does, and planes aren't built for that.

Drop ticket prices? Yeah- that hasn't happened.
I'd be happy to pay by weight.  Just weigh me and my bags - OH, and weigh my 29 pound toddler and HIS bag.

Okay, but we're then going to allocate space the same way.  I'm not a particularly fat dude, but I've got big arms and shoulders like an NFL linebacker.  So I'm taking some shoulder space that you shrimps with the cheapo tickets aren't using.

johnny847

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3188
    • My Blog
This might be relevant to the topic:
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2014/09/22/lessons-in-badassity-from-a-night-in-houston/

I thought about this article as I was sitting there - truthfully, it helped a little.  My main complain(y pants)t was that United called their $7 pittance a "meal voucher" knowing full well that you can't even buy a ham and cheese sandwich in the airport for $7.
Last time I looked, I could at least get a moderate dose of fast food for that much, but it's definitely on the modest side. Even in my small regional airport, which runs cheap, a good breakfast would cost more than that.

Pro-tip for those flying through Atlanta: $7 will almost get you an entree at the Chipotle in concourse D (it might get closer to $8 after tax). So far, it's the only restaurant in there I've found that isn't marked up relative to non-airport locations. (Apparently, the starving African children business (?!) is paying off.)

Also, the best airport breakfast is to go to Five Guys Burgers and Fries (also in concourse D) and order a fried egg sandwich with a burger patty (and the usual toppings, of course) added to it. It will also cost about $7, I think.

Great minds think alike! I eat at Chipotle every time.

In truth, there is a markup at the Chipotle in ATL. Outside of the airport, I get Barbacoa burritos for $7.70 in Atlanta. At the airport, it's $8.62. This may only apply to Barbacoa bowls, I'm not sure. I've never ordered anything else. My guess is that a chicken burrito, their cheapest burrito option, will cost you $8. So you'd be within a dollar of your $7 pittance of a meal voucher.
Not all of this markup is from Chipotle, because there is some extra sales tax. But that's only 1-2%, I can't remember.

Still though, considering how much food you get from Chipotle for the price (bowls generally get you more food than burritos, ask for a tortilla on the side if you want it, and I always ask for extra rice), this is my go to.

Furthermore, I buy Chipotle gc's at a 20% discount through various Amex offers when they show up ($10 off $50 at Office Depot, $10 off $50 at Lowe's, etc.). But that's orthogonal to the fact that Chipotle is already a cheap option for food at the airport (assuming you haven't brought your own food,  which is of course the cheapest option).

I'm a red panda

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8186
  • Location: United States

I'd be happy to pay by weight.  Just weigh me and my bags - OH, and weigh my 29 pound toddler and HIS bag.

I'd go for that plan too.

EricP

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 477
Quote
It encourages people to not pack so heavy and saves the planet a little bit. 
No, it really doesn't. It encourages them to stuff it into a carry-on, so now it is nearly impossible to get overhead space on the plane and anyone in the last boarding (sometimes last two or even three) has to gate check a bag.

Yeah, this is going to be listed as another boo-hoo.  You have to wait, what 3 minutes for your gate check bag to come up?  You can just pull your tablet or magazine out before you gate-check it.

And yes, if they're having to carry it on then they're packing less, it has to fit in the little carry on bin or they will force you to check it and charge you more.

As for actually paying by weight, there's a limit to how low the discount can go because your 29 pound toddler still takes up a whole seat.  Your 29 pound toddler isn't just a 29 pound toddler, he's also 1/146th of the total weight of the airplane.  So they could price people by weight, but the savings would be minimal and there would also be an entire added cost of weight verification.  Not to mention the legal battles that would likely ensue.

@Jaxk, the starving African children is a reference to their choice to no longer use GMOs, yes it's a little dramatic, but anyone (or company) refusing to use GMO's is doing a disservice to this planet and the people on it.

I'm a red panda

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8186
  • Location: United States

Yeah, this is going to be listed as another boo-hoo.  You have to wait, what 3 minutes for your gate check bag to come up?  You can just pull your tablet or magazine out before you gate-check it.


I wish.  I've missed connections because of slow gate check bags- waited 30 minutes once; typical is closer to 15.  (Of course, at my airport anything with wheels gets gate checked; so I've given up my rollaboard entirely.)

EricP

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 477
Baggage fees came about originally in around the 2008 timeframe when gas got really expensive, as a result of airlines having to pay higher fuel prices.  They were presented as a fuel surcharge.   I'm sure you've noticed gas prices have come waaaaay down, and baggage fees are still here.

Probably because they are a better pricing method.  Sure, baggage fees are still here, but ticket prices are plummeting: http://bgr.com/2015/07/30/cheap-flights-prices-dropping-2015/  http://www.nbcnews.com/business/travel/airline-fares-record-steepest-drop-20-years-declining-fuel-costs-n412461

Chris22

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3770
  • Location: Chicago NW Suburbs
Baggage fees came about originally in around the 2008 timeframe when gas got really expensive, as a result of airlines having to pay higher fuel prices.  They were presented as a fuel surcharge.   I'm sure you've noticed gas prices have come waaaaay down, and baggage fees are still here.

Probably because they are a better pricing method.  Sure, baggage fees are still here, but ticket prices are plummeting: http://bgr.com/2015/07/30/cheap-flights-prices-dropping-2015/  http://www.nbcnews.com/business/travel/airline-fares-record-steepest-drop-20-years-declining-fuel-costs-n412461

Disagree they are better.  Airlines should be incentivizing checked bags and charging for carryons.  That would speed up boarding and improve on time rates. 

mm1970

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 10859
Quote
It encourages people to not pack so heavy and saves the planet a little bit. 

No, it really doesn't. It encourages them to stuff it into a carry-on, so now it is nearly impossible to get overhead space on the plane and anyone in the last boarding (sometimes last two or even three) has to gate check a bag.

It used to be that about half the people boarding a plane needed the overhead bin, now it seems almost everyone does, and planes aren't built for that.

Drop ticket prices? Yeah- that hasn't happened.
I'd be happy to pay by weight.  Just weigh me and my bags - OH, and weigh my 29 pound toddler and HIS bag.

Okay, but we're then going to allocate space the same way.  I'm not a particularly fat dude, but I've got big arms and shoulders like an NFL linebacker.  So I'm taking some shoulder space that you shrimps with the cheapo tickets aren't using.
Well, that already happens!

I always thought it was funny that I paid regular ticket price for a seat, but then had a big chunky dude next to me, and had to sit with his elbow in my side for a 6 hour flight.
But then that guy is paying the same amount as my 29 pound toddler.

OH, but you know, bags cost money.
So 29 pound toddler pays the same for a seat as the 300 lb dude.

But I have to pay $35 for my toddler's 15 pound luggage.

It's all set up for the airlines benefit.  They charge you the max for space AND weight.  They get you in space in the seats, and they get you in weight by the bags.  Can't win either way. 

Unless you are the chunky dude who pays for one seat but ends up encroaching into mine, then you win!

Chris22

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3770
  • Location: Chicago NW Suburbs
Quote
It encourages people to not pack so heavy and saves the planet a little bit. 

No, it really doesn't. It encourages them to stuff it into a carry-on, so now it is nearly impossible to get overhead space on the plane and anyone in the last boarding (sometimes last two or even three) has to gate check a bag.

It used to be that about half the people boarding a plane needed the overhead bin, now it seems almost everyone does, and planes aren't built for that.

Drop ticket prices? Yeah- that hasn't happened.
I'd be happy to pay by weight.  Just weigh me and my bags - OH, and weigh my 29 pound toddler and HIS bag.

Okay, but we're then going to allocate space the same way.  I'm not a particularly fat dude, but I've got big arms and shoulders like an NFL linebacker.  So I'm taking some shoulder space that you shrimps with the cheapo tickets aren't using.
Well, that already happens!

I always thought it was funny that I paid regular ticket price for a seat, but then had a big chunky dude next to me, and had to sit with his elbow in my side for a 6 hour flight.
But then that guy is paying the same amount as my 29 pound toddler.

OH, but you know, bags cost money.
So 29 pound toddler pays the same for a seat as the 300 lb dude.

But I have to pay $35 for my toddler's 15 pound luggage.

It's all set up for the airlines benefit.  They charge you the max for space AND weight.  They get you in space in the seats, and they get you in weight by the bags.  Can't win either way. 

Unless you are the chunky dude who pays for one seat but ends up encroaching into mine, then you win!

Can you not read?  I'm not chunky.  I have extremely broad shoulders.  I took up more than the allotted space when I was a high school XC runner weighing 145lbs. 

EricP

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 477
Baggage fees came about originally in around the 2008 timeframe when gas got really expensive, as a result of airlines having to pay higher fuel prices.  They were presented as a fuel surcharge.   I'm sure you've noticed gas prices have come waaaaay down, and baggage fees are still here.

Probably because they are a better pricing method.  Sure, baggage fees are still here, but ticket prices are plummeting: http://bgr.com/2015/07/30/cheap-flights-prices-dropping-2015/  http://www.nbcnews.com/business/travel/airline-fares-record-steepest-drop-20-years-declining-fuel-costs-n412461


Disagree they are better.  Airlines should be incentivizing checked bags and charging for carryons.  That would speed up boarding and improve on time rates.

Ignoring the fact that you just moved the goalposts on me and that charging for carry-ons is still a baggage fee.

It would lead to increased costs in multiple areas: fuel from increased weights, more baggage workers, more lost baggage delivery costs.

Data regarding how much faster boarding would help delays is difficult to determine because "slow boarding" is just lumped into a bigger group of "carrier delay" which includes everything from pilots not being there to MX issues to baggage problems, but I'm fairly confident that it isn't a major factor due to the lackadaisical nature of boarding.  If it was the key factor in "carrier dealys" they wouldn't be fussing with Diamond Plus and Priority Boarding and just get people on the planes.

At the end of the day, cheap tickets are king and that's why baggage fees are going to continue to remain because customers only look at sticker price and it also allows for price discrimination which almost always increases revenue.

nobodyspecial

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1464
  • Location: Land above the land of the free
OH, but you know, bags cost money.
So 29 pound toddler pays the same for a seat as the 300 lb dude.

But I have to pay $35 for my toddler's 15 pound luggage.
Can you check the toddler ? - if they are under 30lbs


mm1970

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 10859
Quote
It encourages people to not pack so heavy and saves the planet a little bit. 

No, it really doesn't. It encourages them to stuff it into a carry-on, so now it is nearly impossible to get overhead space on the plane and anyone in the last boarding (sometimes last two or even three) has to gate check a bag.

It used to be that about half the people boarding a plane needed the overhead bin, now it seems almost everyone does, and planes aren't built for that.

Drop ticket prices? Yeah- that hasn't happened.
I'd be happy to pay by weight.  Just weigh me and my bags - OH, and weigh my 29 pound toddler and HIS bag.

Okay, but we're then going to allocate space the same way.  I'm not a particularly fat dude, but I've got big arms and shoulders like an NFL linebacker.  So I'm taking some shoulder space that you shrimps with the cheapo tickets aren't using.
Well, that already happens!

I always thought it was funny that I paid regular ticket price for a seat, but then had a big chunky dude next to me, and had to sit with his elbow in my side for a 6 hour flight.
But then that guy is paying the same amount as my 29 pound toddler.

OH, but you know, bags cost money.
So 29 pound toddler pays the same for a seat as the 300 lb dude.

But I have to pay $35 for my toddler's 15 pound luggage.

It's all set up for the airlines benefit.  They charge you the max for space AND weight.  They get you in space in the seats, and they get you in weight by the bags.  Can't win either way. 

Unless you are the chunky dude who pays for one seat but ends up encroaching into mine, then you win!

Can you not read?  I'm not chunky.  I have extremely broad shoulders.  I took up more than the allotted space when I was a high school XC runner weighing 145lbs.
I wasn't referring to "you" you, just the "general" you.

I barely fit in the seats sometimes, and I'm 5'2" with short legs.  If the person in front of me reclines their seat and I'm in the last row (happens often enough), the seat touches my knees.

MrsPete

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3505
Ok ok, I love mayo.  If it's too boring for your sandwich, try mixing some stuff in it!  I like to mix in minced garlic, pepper, chili powder, A1, or italian dressing .... your mix may vary (he ymmv)!  And if it gets to runny from italian dressing, than just thicken it with some parmesean cheese.  I make it in a tupperware container and use it for a couple of days.  Mmmmm.
Mayo's not too boring.  It's just nasty and oily and plasticky and odd ... along with a strange aftertaste.  I hate the stuff. 

nereo

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 17474
  • Location: Just south of Canada
    • Here's how you can support science today:
Personally, I don't think we should have laws and government stepping in here.

Ensure it is safe.  Ensure what's advertised is what's delivered.  That's about all the laws we need for sandwiches, IMO.

I'm a red panda

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8186
  • Location: United States

I barely fit in the seats sometimes, and I'm 5'2" with short legs.  If the person in front of me reclines their seat and I'm in the last row (happens often enough), the seat touches my knees.

I've noticed this more since the "economy plus" thing started. I sit in regular economy.  I'm 5'0". If I feel like my legs are cramped, how the hell can anyone else manage?  (I'm also generally uncomfortable because my feet don't reach the ground, and sitting with your legs dangling, or having to point your toes to hit the ground is really painful after a few hours. I try to prop them on my backpack, but I really need an airplane footrest. Buses have them.)  Thankfully the actual SEAT has plenty of room from arm rest to hip, as I usually end up sharing that with the large person beside me. I have empathy for them, but I want full length dividers!  It's MY seat.  But if they don't smell bad, I do usually let them put the arm rest up and encroach more comfortably.

Leanthree

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 63
Thanks! When I think of sandwiches, I've usually gotten sliced pepper jack cheese, a slice meat of some variety. I just don't know what spread to use, I don't really like mayo. What do you think will go well with it?

Mustard if it's ham and cheese. BBQ sauce if it's beef.

Any suggestions besides BBQ? I'm not a huge fan of it. I've tried putting Frank's but it isn't really a good sauce for sandwiches. For the time being I'll likely pass on sandwiches and just make something in the slow cooker Sunday night for most of my lunches during the week.

I'm a mustard man myself.  Horseradish sauce?

I'll chime in with Hoisin Sauce + Chili garlic sauce for a more Ban Mi type flavor. This is better with shredded chicken or pork than deli meat because salty sauce + salty deli meat is too much.

Sauteed onions sort of mashed up a bit with oil and vinegar also brings some moisture if you aren't a fan of the standard condiments.

Gerard

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1566
  • Location: eastern canada
    • Optimacheap
Thanks! When I think of sandwiches, I've usually gotten sliced pepper jack cheese, a slice meat of some variety. I just don't know what spread to use, I don't really like mayo. What do you think will go well with it?

Mustard if it's ham and cheese. BBQ sauce if it's beef.
Any suggestions besides BBQ? I'm not a huge fan of it. I've tried putting Frank's but it isn't really a good sauce for sandwiches. For the time being I'll likely pass on sandwiches and just make something in the slow cooker Sunday night for most of my lunches during the week.
I'm a mustard man myself.  Horseradish sauce?
I'll chime in with Hoisin Sauce + Chili garlic sauce for a more Ban Mi type flavor. This is better with shredded chicken or pork than deli meat because salty sauce + salty deli meat is too much.
Sauteed onions sort of mashed up a bit with oil and vinegar also brings some moisture if you aren't a fan of the standard condiments.

These all sound good. But I'm always surprised how few north americans put (british-style) chutney into their meat sandwiches. A red chutney (tomatoes, raisins, vinegar, sugar, garlic, brown spices, chili, long slow cook) is made for cold meat or cheese.

RetiredAt63

  • CMTO 2023 Attendees
  • Senior Mustachian
  • *
  • Posts: 20712
  • Location: Eastern Ontario, Canada
Except for the raisins, and with red/green sweet pepper added, that is my family hamburger relish recipe.

These all sound good. But I'm always surprised how few north americans put (british-style) chutney into their meat sandwiches. A red chutney (tomatoes, raisins, vinegar, sugar, garlic, brown spices, chili, long slow cook) is made for cold meat or cheese.