Comments on: Can we fix travel?

By: Doc Searls

Doc Searls — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:09:34 +0000

Agree, vinnie.

When Obama pressures other countries to open up to American products (Korea comes to mind), he needs to lighten the restrictions we impose as well. Airlines are one of those places.

By: vinnie mirchandani

vinnie mirchandani — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 18:02:46 +0000

for starters, let’s quit protecting domestic aviation from foreign competition in the name of “national security”. The majors and their unions and their lobbyists will bitch and moan but like Virgin’s US product is raising the bar, be nice for Singapore Air, India’s Jet Air, Qantas and others to be allowed to compete here and for US consumers to see the best of of what Boeing and Airbus have to offer

Second, let’s quit bailing the majors out. It is unfair to airlines like Southwest which has made money for 30+ years while keeping customers and employees reasonably happy.

Also, we need to encourage newer US airlines to rep the US flag on overseas flights. It is a shame to see our biggest Delta just introduce flat beds when others have offered it for years. And wi-fly and entertainment and other innovations

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:43:00 +0000

Doc, we should fly together. I like aisle seats somewhat near the wing. We’ll never fight over the same seat.

I’ve found the international airlines don’t allow anyone to pick seats excepting very far ahead of the trip and even then with a lot of constraints. I think it is just part of their security norms or seat sales optimization (larger planes, lots of seats, need to reliably know where 1, 2, 3 or more together are available to be able to sell the most seats). Happens to me whether I book with them or not and whether I’m in their program or not.

By: Doc Searls

Doc Searls — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:08:29 +0000

Thanks, Adriana. Just fixed it.

By: Adriana

Adriana — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:42:35 +0000

Doc, just a small correction. The link you used for VRM Hub is the wiki used for sign up for our evening meetings that take place every last Thursday of the month.

On Monday I am doing a VRM Hub conference called Unlocking the see-saw, details are here:
http://www.vrmhub.net/vrm-hub-events/unlocking-the-see-saw/

See you on Sunday at the speakers’ dinner beforehand.