You Ask, I Tell

We just returned from a week in the Orlando, FL area. Had a very nice time. I golfed several times, my wife spent time with her sister, nephew, niece and grand-nieces.

The flights were pretty good, too. We flew Continental from Newark to Orlando and back. I really like the kiosk system they've installed for checking in, particularly with baggage. Very quick and simple, especially if you've printed out your boarding pass at home.

So today we get a survey from Continental via email asking us our reaction to all aspects of our trip. Basically we were pretty satisfied BUT I did point out a few things that irked.

We were prepared for the no-meal, no-snack rule so we brought our own sandwiches for lunch. They gave us a beverage. Big deal. The overhead bins were bulging (we had room for two small backpacks) but it was obvious that people are carrying on more since the airlines started charging for checked luggage. (Disclosure: we have a Continental charge card so we get one bag free).

The inflight "entertainment" is no longer free. You get endless promos on those little seat-back screens but if you actually want to see something you have to swipe your credit card and it's either $6 for plain people and $4 if you have the airline card. We opted out.

The biggest rip-off in my mind, however, is the $29 dollar fee for a seat with extra leg room, such as an exit or bulkhead row. Believe it or not, those rows were taken.

So I commented in my survey if you are going to charge extra for extra leg room, how about discounting the seats with no leg room, like all the other seats on the plane?

And, if I have to pay $29 to sit in an exit row do I also have to pay $29 to exit from that row in case of emergency? Just swipe your credit card (no cash, please) before sliding down the chute.

I wouldn't put it past them.