Seems that they are now going to charge $2 for a soda. This nickle and diming is getting silly...

That's not so bad really. Fast food joints charge about that much for a soda, and they put so much ice in them you usually get about what you'd get in an airline cup. Food prices on airlines have always been ridiculously high.
In this case it's a simple matter of not ordering a soda. The things that really get under my and others' skin is stuff you can't avoid by patience, stuff like fifteen dollars to check a bag, TSA security goons making up the rules as they go, and it seems we'll soon be paying extra depending on body weight, literally paying by the pound for travel like we're really just a piece of meat to them.

Has anyone priced food and drinks on a train lately? I haven't be on a train in many years, but back in the '60's I can recall them wanting $2 or so for a soda, $3 for a pack of smokes (when they were going for 'bout thirty cents a pack everywhere else. It seems that out "mass" transportation folks are always out to make an easy buck...

Definitely need to pack stuff to take with you.

Can you bring on an unopened soda onto a plane these days?

"...Can you bring on an unopened soda onto a plane these days?..."

Looking at the TSA website, I would have to guess that you can not (unless bought after the checkpoint). They make no mention of canned drinks specifically, just beverages in general, and the 3 oz rule applies. Same with canned soups/whatever...


TSA site


Item Carry-on
Beverages brought from home or purchased before reaching the security checkpoint in containers LARGER than 3 oz. No

Canned or jarred goods such as soup, sauces, peanut butter, fruits, vegetables and jellies Yes - 3 oz. or smaller container No

My wife works for US Air. They expect to spend 2 billion more this year than last just on fuel. The cost for fuel per passenger assuming a full flight is approximately $400.

Before you complain about the costs, think of how it is affecting the flight attendants who have to collect it and deal with irate passengers.

Personally, I have no trouble with total a-la-carte flying: Getting a middle seat would be more bearable if I knew the people on either side of me paid $25 more for the privilege.

Couldn't you just get a soda after you pass the security check...thats what I do, a soda from one of the stores near my gate.

I don't mind the nickel and diming either - I spent ~$3 for a (mediocre) cup of coffee on an SAS flight between Copenhagen and Oslo a few weeks ago. Other airlines have been charging a la carte for quite a while. And the fuel costs issue is legit, although I would hope they would see the sense to use a fuel surcharge against the price of the ticket to recoup that.

I usually travel and pack for a week at a time, and except once when I had an additional electronic carryon, I haven't checked a bag in years (this includes lugging a suit). If you're checking bags, you either need new luggage or need to look critically at what you pack.

Mailing ahead your excess baggage makes some sense, but I've never needed it or have been that organized.

geez lono, I am amazed at your packing abilities! I could probably do that, but have yet to have the need... actually on second thought maybe not.

Bought a 12 oz can of Pepsi and a decent-sized pack of pretzels yesterday on AMTRAK for $3. Got a cup of ice, a napkin and a cardboard carrier as well.

Any trip under 5 hours I will drive or take the train. The hassle of flying just make me cringe.