"TED" to be the next "Walmart of the Skies"...

[AA 1818]

Fly United's low-fare unit Ted, and you'll be able to buy more than just lunch or dinner. One week from today, the carrier will begin hawking coloring books, stuffed animals, poker kits and other merchandise on flights longer than 2 1/2 hours, reports the Rocky Mountain News. The paper says it's the first time a major U.S. carrier has tried to sell retail merchandise on domestic flights, writing that the move "represents another effort by United to increase revenues and bolster its bottom line as it attempts to exit bankruptcy protection in February." Prices for the retail goods range from $5 to $25. "We are making Ted even more fun," said United spokeswoman Jean Medina. "It's an opportunity for customers to buy on board things they may have forgotten, like a toothbrush, or even to buy last-minute gifts, like a box of candy or a bracelet." However, Sara Nelson Dela Cruz, spokeswoman for the Association of Flight Attendants, says the union has some concerns about the plan. "It's another thing to add to our duties, and our primary concern is safety and security of the flight," she says. Among the other items for sale: Origami kits ($5), crossword or Sudoku books ($10), window seat book featuring pictures from the air ($15), sterling silver heart bracelet ($20) and compact sunglasses ($25).http://www.usatoday.com/travel/fligh...ivenov25_x.htm

Preety soon I'll be able to do my christmas shopping on my way to Christmas Vacation. I know that this may be a good idea for a few, but this is getting a bit outrageous. Why is UA spending money on things like this? They shoudl be spending more money on new destinations, or on new aircraft, i.e. they should be spending money on making money. If they want to waste money, they should do this when they return to profitability.

[FlyingPhotog]

As a passenger, I would not want to hear a sales pitch from a flight attendant.

[DAL767-400ER]

Well, what a superb marketing gimmick . Essentially, they are just offering the merchandise that most airlines have in their inflight-magazine onboard their planes. First of all, it is doubtful that this move will attract any pax at all who wouldn't fly TED already for other reasons (fares, routes, etc), and second, the merchandise will require space on the planes that could be used for other stuff, and it will also mean an increase in weight, which will mean an increase in fuel burn. It might not be much, but when you consider that airlines are remowing blankets and pillows due to weight and space reasons, having this merchandise appears contra-productive.

[Van Hoolio]

Why the complaining? What's the difference between that and "duty free" goods being hawked on international flights?


Mike

[wannabepilot777]

I like the idea, but I don't like the execution. I think Flight Attendents should work on making current serivce faster, friendlier and better rather than adding to thier job. Let's not forget that they are mainly on the plane to handle emergencies, not to serve or sell things to the paying passangers.

Why not set up Ted Shops at gates around the country? Passangers can get off the flight and buy anything they want or do it before thier flight? Then again, it would also increase payroll and I have the feeling that people are more likely to buy things if they are sitting in a seat, often times bored, on a long diommestic flight. (example: NW's snack pack shit. Nobody would buy that garbage for that price in normal everyday life and yet as you watch the flight attendants, they sell quite a few of them.)

[stlgph]

As a passenger, I would not want to hear a sales pitch from a flight attendant.

as a passenger, I'm not interested in racing toilet paper rolls down the seat rows so therefore I avoid Southwest.


but obviously some people don't mind, and some won't mind the Shops of Ted. i think it's a neat idea especially since most items have a mark up profit margin of 40% if not more. if an item doesn't sell, then chances are Ted can return it and get their money back.

[DAL767-400ER]

as a passenger, I'm not interested in racing toilet paper rolls down the seat rows so therefore I avoid Southwest.

We all gotta love such totally unbiased posts, don't we .

[ATrude777]

As a passenger, I would not want to hear a sales pitch from a flight attendant.

Unless it is a Hot Southwest Flight Attendent selling themselves?

Alex

[FlyingPhotog]

as a passenger, I'm not interested in racing toilet paper rolls down the seat rows so therefore I avoid Southwest.

I've heard of those, but on my 400+ flights with Southwest I've never seen it happen.

[stlgph]

We all gotta love such totally unbiased posts, don't we .

Nothing biased. I was tossing out an example.

I've heard of those, but on my 400+ flights with Southwest I've never seen it happen.

Of course and I wasn't writing anything against you in particular, either. Southwest has their songs and their announcement jokes and their toilet paper games and Ted has retail concessions. Just another gimmick. And we all know that gimmicks really do seem to work.

[expoITHscohen]

As a passenger, I would not want to hear a sales pitch from a flight attendant.

Sure you would say this if WN was selling this crap

[stlgph]

Sure you would say this if WN was selling this crap

my dear friend, dare you say this is only a bad idea because Southwest didn't think of it first? golly!

[FlyingPhotog]

my dear friend, dare you say this is only a bad idea because Southwest didn't think of it first? golly!

Southwest sells lots of crap, they're just not dumb enough to put it on their planes and bother passengers with it...

www.skymall.com (found in magazines in seat-back pockets onboard)

https://www.swafreedomshop.com

[uy707]

Should plans go forward, and be an involved f/a, I would ask the sales to be tax-free to avoid some additional headaches by completing the paperwork associated with the sales accountancy, not to mention which state tax must be recorded !!!
Alain

[ATrude777]

Should plans go forward, and be an involved f/a, I would ask the sales to be tax-free to avoid some additional headaches by completing the paperwork associated with the sales accountancy, not to mention which state tax must be recorded !!!
Alain

ok we are over florida so no sales tax, whoops now we are in louisiana so thats 10%, never mind in texas....new mexico....arizona...should we just total all the states we fly through and add it as a complete tax?