[Travelandtourism] Airline seats keep shrinking
Steven Johnson
blinddog3 at charter.net
Sat Dec 28 02:23:04 UTC 2013
Tracey,
I agree wholeheartedly in that the airlines are facing continuing escalating
fuel prices, while at the same time, trying to come up with ways to make
sure that they remain solvent but at the same time, find a possible balance
of serving the customer most effectively. The larger airlines however, are
seemingly doing what the small commuter airlines have done forever in
serving more with less. Taking a puddle jumper to catch a larger flight is
not an easy task, but for many of us, this is something we are just used to.
Granted, these are generally shorter flights than a larger commercial
flight, but the same idea is there in maximizing passenger capacity while
reducing space. I have flown some econo-liners in the past and they have
adopted this concept and seem to do well financially for quite some time.
So, why shouldn't the rest of the major airlines follow? It is a business
after all, and although they are to serve the customer, they are also there
to make a profit, and I really don't blame them. This really isn't a blind
issue, nor should it be made one as we adjust to such changes every day
whether one is blind or not, whether one has a dog guide or not...it's all a
part of life, and all a part of surviving the business world. If there is
any good outcome, maybe by the mere fact that they are expanding seating
capacity, this could drive the seating costs down as well. Just my
thoughts.
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: Travelandtourism [mailto:travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Tracie Inman
Sent: Friday, December 27, 2013 7:59 PM
To: NFB Travel and Tourism Division List
Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Airline seats keep shrinking
On my last flight, in September of this year, I found that the seating on
Delta was much smaller than previous flights. This was true both ways. I
do have a bit of an obesity problem, so for me it was a bit uncomfortable
trying to sit for 3 1/2 hours in a seat that was a bit small. I couldn't
help but wonder what would passengers flying international who have the same
issue I have do? Why are they making it so uncomfortable to the traveler?
Delta is an IATA member. They are following the pattern. These do raise
some very important questions. I just don't know what the answer is. As
fuel prices rise the airlines struggle to find ways to cut back. So, I do
understand that it is as much about their needs as it is about ours (the
passengers). Still, there should be some middle ground some where. -
Tracie
"Making Your Travel Dreams Come True No Matter What the Obstacles"
Tracie Inman, Independent Contractor
http://www.Inmantravel.com
904-372-0644
reservations at inmantravel.com
Affiliated as an independent contractor with Montrose Travel CST -
#1018299-10
On Friday, December 27, 2013 8:04 PM, Cherylandmaxx
<Cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com> wrote:
Thank you very much
Cheryl Echevarrua
Echevarria Travel
www.echevarriatravel.com
Echevarriatravelblog.com
631-456-5394
Reservations at echevarriatravel.com
Cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
-------- Original message --------
From: Steven Johnson <blinddog3 at charter.net>
Date:12/27/2013 7:13 PM (GMT-05:00)
To: 'NFB Travel and Tourism Division List' <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Airline seats keep shrinking
It is control shift R with JAWS to reply to all.
-----Original Message-----
From: Travelandtourism [mailto:travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of cheryl echevarria
Sent: Friday, December 27, 2013 3:48 PM
To: travelandtourism
Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Airline seats keep shrinking
Well I am trying to find out since I use Zoomtext and not screen reader.
Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY StateOffering the Best in
Meaningful Travel Experiences for Everyone!Cheryl Echevarria,
Ownerwww.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations at echevarriatravel.com
Sign up for our e-newsletter by e-mailing us you first and last name, and
e-mail address to reservations at echevarriatravel.com, let us know if you want
just text or pictures in your e-mail.
Echevarria Travel has partnered with Braille Smith. www.braillesmith.com for
all her braille needs. Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of Alabama
> Date: Fri, 27 Dec 2013 16:32:32 -0500
> From: mwertman72 at gmail.com
> To: travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Airline seats keep shrinking
>
> I know I have not participated much here, but Peter is right. Not to
> mention that the reply to all command is different depending on what
> email program you use and their are a lot of people who don't know how
> to do it. If you are wanting people to reply to all perhaps you need
> to explain to them how it is done.
> On Fri, 27 Dec 2013 15:06:04 -0600
> "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com> wrote:
>
> > Hello Cheryl and everyone,
> >
> > Better yet stress the importance of those folks subscribing to this
> > list so the messages are received even if someone fails to hit the
"Reply to All."
> > If they were interested in receiving these messages they would
> > subscribe to this list. Perhaps you would do well to stress the
> > importance of their subscribing to this list and spend less time
> > hounding those of us participating before we disappear in to thin
> > air
please!
> >
> > Peter Donahue
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
> > To: "travelandtourism" <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>; "nyagdu"
> > <nyagdu at nfbnet.org>
> > Cc: "Milton Taylor" <milt2533 at gmail.com>; "Maurice Shackelford"
> > <management at peachtreeradiofm.com>; "david stayer"
> > <davidandloristayer at verizon.net>; "Jemal Powell"
> > <derek2872 at yahoo.com>; "Jo Taylor" <miltjotaylor at gmail.com>; "Carl
> > Jacobsen" <office at nfbny.org>; "Mark` Riccobono" <mriccobono at nfb.org>
> > Sent: Friday, December 27, 2013 1:01 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Airline seats keep shrinking
> >
> >
> > Again, Peter, if you please and the rest of us.
> > If you can select reply all to the responses, they not only go to
> > Travel & Tourism Division, but also a number of the officers of the
> > division, for whatever reason are yet to be on our talk list, as
> > well as, this is going to NYAGDU, the NY Association of Guide Dog
> > Users,
and other leaders in the NFB.
> > I am not sure what the control options for a screen reader is for
> > this, but I hope that when responding that you all will comply.
> > Thank
you.
> > Well, maybe also we can combine our efforts with out disability
> > organizations, I am actively working with SATH.org - Society of
> > Accessible Travel & Hospitality, as well as, Association of Airline
> > Passengers Rights, which I am also a member of the others.
> > If we get these resolutions to pass, and if we can get the airlines
> > at least in the US to comply, then we wont have to look for
> > alternatives in flying, like private jet services.
> > Cheryl
> >
> > Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY StateOffering the Best
> > in Meaningful Travel Experiences for Everyone!Cheryl Echevarria,
> > Ownerwww.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations at echevarriatrav
> > el.com
> >
> > Sign up for our e-newsletter by e-mailing us you first and last
> > name, and e-mail address to reservations at echevarriatravel.com, let
> > us know if you want just text or pictures in your e-mail.
> > Echevarria Travel has partnered with Braille Smith.
> > www.braillesmith.com for all her braille needs. Gail Smith is the
> > Secretary of the NFB of Alabama
> >
> > > From: pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com
> > > To: travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
> > > Date: Fri, 27 Dec 2013 12:46:55 -0600
> > > Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Airline seats keep shrinking
> > >
> > > Hello Cheryl and everyone,
> > >
> > > Perhaps this needs to be attacked on two fronts. The
> > >resolution and working with the DOT to set a required seat width
> > >to accommodate all passengers including large ones and to insure
> > >that passengers traveling with guide dogs will have enough room to
> > >accommodate the dog in the cabin particularly large dogs.
> > >
> > > The second way to address this issue is for us as individuals
> > >to investigate additional sources of income to among other things
> > >be able to travel privately or in first class so we and our guide
> > >dogs can fly in comfort. Starting a business such as a travel
> > >agency is one idea. There are many other ways to supplement one's
> > >income so we can fly the way we wish without endurring the
> > >treatment received by airlines. Increasing our income to allow us
> > >to fly privately is something we as individuals will need to
> > >address. The next time someone invites you to investigate a
> > >money-making opportunity remember this thread and decide with it in
mind.
> > >
> > > Peter Donahue
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
> > > To: "travelandtourism" <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>; "nyagdu"
> > > <nyagdu at nfbnet.org>
> > > Cc: "Milton Taylor" <milt2533 at gmail.com>; "Marc Maurer"
> > > <officeofthepresident at nfb.org>; "Maurice Shackelford"
> > > <management at peachtreeradiofm.com>; "david stayer"
> > > <davidandloristayer at verizon.net>; "Jemal Powell"
> > > <derek2872 at yahoo.com>; "Jo Taylor" <miltjotaylor at gmail.com>; "Carl
> > > Jacobsen" <office at nfbny.org>; "Mark` Riccobono"
> > > <mriccobono at nfb.org>
> > > Sent: Friday, December 27, 2013 12:13 PM
> > > Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Airline seats keep shrinking
> > >
> > >
> > > When everyone responds, please reply all. I really appreciate it.
> > > Peter Donahue, I do hope as well, that our resolution has a lot of
meat to
> > > it, I have been asking the Travel & Tourism members and officers
> > > to
work
> > > on
> > > this, but with the holidays, it has gone to the way side.
> > > But it is time to start working again, especially, we need to get
> > > our thoughts on this resolution in time for the join meeting with
> > > NAGDU sometime in January.
> > > I agree with you Peter, many people who are overweight have this
issue, in
> > > fact, this was big news a few months ago when an obese teenager
> > > flew
from
> > > France to the Mayo Clinic for treatment, now is he obese due to a
medical
> > > condition and not from eating all day long, etc. He came here from
France
> > > on
> > > British Airways. but when he was going home they gave him a very
> > > hard time, and then on the Eurostar train service from England to
> > > France because
of
> > > safety rules, so instead. he was being taken across the English
Channel by
> > > ferry.
> > > I have dealt with a weight issue all my life. But again, mine is
> > > also
from
> > > a
> > > medical issue and not from over eating and not working out.
> > > At the time Peter, maybe Marion Gwizdala (NAGDU) or other
> > > divisions, didn't think it was serious enough to look at since it
> > > wasn't a blindness
related
> > > issue, and until it affected guide dogs, then maybe we will get
involved.
> > > I
> > > am a board member of NYAGDU, and a guide dog user.
> > > When writing up a resolution we have to think about all the areas
> > > of
it.
> > > Peter as far as I am concerned and this division, we haven't heard
anyone
> > > seeking other forms of flying transportation, accept for then Mark
Sloan,
> > > which by the way, I haven't heard from him in over a year, and
> > > some of
> > > other
> > > people as well.
> > > If people can afford private jets to get places, that is fine, but
> > > the majority of the average person cannot afford that, even the
> > > airlines itself, many people cannot afford to pay for them.
> > > Cheryl
> > >
> > >
> > > Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY StateOffering the
> > > Best in Meaningful Travel Experiences for Everyone!Cheryl
> > > Echevarria,
> > >
Ownerwww.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations at echevarriatravel.com
> > >
> > > Sign up for our e-newsletter by e-mailing us you first and last
> > > name,
and
> > > e-mail address to reservations at echevarriatravel.com, let us know
> > > if
you
> > > want
> > > just text or pictures in your e-mail.
> > > Echevarria Travel has partnered with Braille Smith.
www.braillesmith.com
> > > for
> > > all her braille needs. Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of
Alabama
> > >
> > > > From: pdonahue2 at satx.rr.com
> > > > To: travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
> > > > Date: Fri, 27 Dec 2013 11:50:21 -0600
> > > > Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Airline seats keep shrinking
> > > >
> > > > Good morning Cheryl and everyone,
> > > >
> > > > I warned about this several years ago. No one including
> > > >Marion Gwizdala took me seriously when I told him and others
> > > >that shrinking airplane
> > > > seats
> > > > would not only pose a travel barrier for large passengers but
> > > > could jeopardize our ability to keep our guide dogs in the cabin
> > > > with us
when
> > > > we
> > > > fly. Perhaps this airline resolution that has been discussed
> > > > here
should
> > > > address the issue of less seat room and how it is creating
> > > > problems
for
> > > > passengers that travel with guide dogs. It's no wonder that some
> > > > of
us
> > > > are
> > > > searching for flying options other than the airlines.
> > > >
> > > > Peter Donahue
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: "cheryl echevarria" <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
> > > > To: "travelandtourism" <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>; "nyagdu"
> > > > <nyagdu at nfbnet.org>
> > > > Cc: "Milton Taylor" <milt2533 at gmail.com>; "Marc Maurer"
> > > > <officeofthepresident at nfb.org>; "Maurice Shackelford"
> > > > <management at peachtreeradiofm.com>; "david stayer"
> > > > <davidandloristayer at verizon.net>; "Jemal Powell"
<derek2872 at yahoo.com>;
> > > > "Jo
> > > > Taylor" <miltjotaylor at gmail.com>; "Carl Jacobsen"
<office at nfbny.org>;
> > > > "Gary
> > > > Wunder" <gwunder at earthlink.net>; "Mark` Riccobono"
<mriccobono at nfb.org>
> > > > Sent: Friday, December 27, 2013 11:34 AM
> > > > Subject: [Travelandtourism] Airline seats keep shrinking
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > There are many commercials out there, that are making fun of
> > > > these issues, but they are happening, especially with airlines
> > > > that do not belong
to
> > > > IATA
> > > > such as Southwest and Spirit Airlines, and some others. Some
> > > > have
heard
> > > > me
> > > > talk about IATA and some do not know what this is. I will be
> > > > posting
> > > > this
> > > > not only to Travel & Tourism, but to NAGDU and to some leaders
> > > > in
the
> > > > organization.
> > > > Would love to hear your feedback on this subject.
> > > > Yes, you are not going crazy or getting bigger and heavier. The
> > > > fact
is
> > > > that, the airlines are trying to take as much room as possible
> > > > from
the
> > > > space they already have on the planes, and add more seats. They
> > > > make
> > > > more
> > > > money because the get more passengers. The airlines can take a
> > > > 150 passenger plane and move the seats in and add up to 178
> > > > passengers.
> > > > How do they do this, they take away the leg room, and for some
> > > > of us
> > > > this
> > > > is
> > > > way to tight, even though that are not overweight will have
> > > > issues breathing or even relaxing on a 3 hour flight, like to
> > > > Orlando in Fl.
> > > > Airlines such as Southwest and Spirit are already doing this,
> > > > and charging more for it as well.
> > > > Now for those of us, who are also more than just blind or use
> > > > guide dogs, how do we fit in, or where is the under the seat
> > > > space, supposedly
our
> > > > dogs
> > > > and lie in when they force us to stick dogs under the seat in
> > > > front
of
> > > > us,
> > > > well we wont be able to like this.
> > > > What do you think? Let us know.
> > > > Also I mentioned an organization called IATA, which stands for
> > > > International Air Transport Association, is the trade
> > > > association for the world's airlines. It represents some 240
> > > > airlines or more than 80% of total
air
> > > > traffic. IATA supports airline activity and helps formulate
> > > > industry policy and standards. It is headquartered in Montreal,
> > > > Canada with
Executive
> > > > Offices in Geneva, Switzerland
> > > > "IATA provides consulting and training services in many areas
crucial to
> > > > aviation.Travel Agent accreditation is available for travel
> > > > professionals.
> > > > Full accreditation allows agents to sell tickets on behalf of
> > > > all
IATA
> > > > member airlines.Cargo Agent accreditation is a similar
> > > > program.IATA
also
> > > > runs the Billing and Settlement Plan, which is a $300
> > > > billion-plus financial system that looks after airline money.And
> > > > it provides a number of business intelligence publications and
> > > > services.Training covers all aspects
of
> > > > aviation and ranges from beginner courses through to senior
management
> > > > courses."
> > > > The majority of all the airlines belong to this organization, as
well
> > > > as,
> > > > travel professionals, like yours truly can apply for card with them.
I
> > > > have
> > > > enough association cards, that allow me to book my clients, they
> > > > are
> > > > also
> > > > very expense to get an association with them for someone who is
> > > > a
home
> > > > based
> > > > agent.
> > > > For more about IATA - here is a link for all the information on
them.
> > > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Air_Transport_Associa
> > > > tion Many of the Host Agencies have them, so you don't
> > > > personally needs
them.
> > > > Southwest and Spirit do not belong to this organization, they
> > > > have a choice to do this, but if they were, they would have to
> > > > comply with certain standards, which they don't. So if you are
> > > > contacting a travel professional and they say they cannot book
> > > > Southwest or Spirit, it is because
they do
> > > > not
> > > > belong to this organization. So in short, no more leg room, you
> > > > must
sit
> > > > up
> > > > like a board, and I know myself, if I sit up that straight, it
> > > > will prevent me from doing other things, like maybe doing some
> > > > work on the plane,
or
> > > > like
> > > > I said where do I put my dog, in the overhead area. That would
> > > > be
funny.
> > > > NOT!
> > > > Cheryl Echevarria, PresidentNFB Travel & Tourism
> > > > Divisioninfo at nfbtravel.org631-236-5138www.nfbtravel.orgfacebook
page:
> > > > NFB
> > > > Travel & TourismTwitter: nfbtraveltour1
> > > >
> > > > Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY StateOffering the
> > > > Best
in
> > > > Meaningful Travel Experiences for Everyone!Cheryl Echevarria,
> > > >
Ownerwww.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations at echevarriatravel.com
> > > >
> > > > Sign up for our e-newsletter by e-mailing us you first and last
name,
> > > > and
> > > > e-mail address to reservations at echevarriatravel.com, let us know
> > > > if
you
> > > > want
> > > > just text or pictures in your e-mail.
> > > > Echevarria Travel has partnered with Braille Smith.
www.braillesmith.com
> > > > for
> > > > all her braille needs. Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB
> > > > of Alabama _______________________________________________
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> --
> Marla Wertman <mwertman72 at gmail.com>
>
>
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