Dav8tor
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- Jan 29, 2002
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U.P.S. Offers No Frills Air Travel
Written by Elgar Spline
Airport Shuttle for "Personal Cabin" TravelersBattered by surging competition from Fedex , burdened by high labor costs, and now absorbing a 27% increase in fuel expense due to soaring oil prices, United Parcel Service has grounded a third of its jet airfreighters. "The demand isn't there.", said U.P.S. spokesperson Brandi Swack "We lose less money if we ship our packages with an airline instead of on a half-empty airfreighter ."
Adapting to the changing market dynamic, U.P.S. announced today the inauguration of its "personal airfreight cabin sevice" for passengers between N. Y. and L.A.. Cargo containers, formerly used exclusively for freight, have been retrofitted with environmental controls for light and ventilation, and four economy class passenger seats, two on each side. "It's a bit of a tight fit, " said Ms. Swack, "So the service isn't available to anyone over 5' 10". We have a line marked on the side of the boarding gate so people know whether or not they qualify."
The introductory price for the flight is $97 one-way, or families and groups can reserve an entire personal cabin for $350.
Asked if they see any problems arising from the inability of passengers to leave their cabins while in flgiht, Ms. Swack replied, "All passengers must sign a waiver of liability, and we strongly advise them to consume nothing by mouth for at least six hours prior to take-off."
Ms. Swack added that the filghts were fully booked for the next seven weeks by people who obtained advance knowledge of the new service, but that U.P.S. was currently accepting reservations for the week of June 2.
Tickets are nonrefundable.
The price of U.P.S. stock surged on rumors of the innovative air service, reminiscent, say some, of the private compartments on the famous "Orient Express" of pre-worldwar fame.
"We like the analogy.", said Ms. Swack. "But we couldn't use the name because the terminus of the flight is actually the Occident.
Other carriers are scrambling to retrofit their own cargo freighters, but are playing catch-up to the bold U.P.S. initiative. Fong/Feng Heavy Industry Ltd., previously known as the builders of the "Estonia" ferry, and the only manufacturer of the retrofit fixtures, is working one and a half shifts, round the clock , to keep up with the demand. And yet, parts are still in short supply. Reached by telephone at his office in Tangpung in central China, managing director Butchie Feng confirmed the high demand. "Man, we can't make this sh*t fast enough", he exclaimed jovially, "We've got the assembly line speed cranked up so fast we have workers knocked on their ass by moving parts. We may have to subcontract to the Vietnamese!"
Adapting to the changing market dynamic, U.P.S. announced today the inauguration of its "personal airfreight cabin sevice" for passengers between N. Y. and L.A.. Cargo containers, formerly used exclusively for freight, have been retrofitted with environmental controls for light and ventilation, and four economy class passenger seats, two on each side. "It's a bit of a tight fit, " said Ms. Swack, "So the service isn't available to anyone over 5' 10". We have a line marked on the side of the boarding gate so people know whether or not they qualify."
The introductory price for the flight is $97 one-way, or families and groups can reserve an entire personal cabin for $350.
Asked if they see any problems arising from the inability of passengers to leave their cabins while in flgiht, Ms. Swack replied, "All passengers must sign a waiver of liability, and we strongly advise them to consume nothing by mouth for at least six hours prior to take-off."
Ms. Swack added that the filghts were fully booked for the next seven weeks by people who obtained advance knowledge of the new service, but that U.P.S. was currently accepting reservations for the week of June 2.
Tickets are nonrefundable.
The price of U.P.S. stock surged on rumors of the innovative air service, reminiscent, say some, of the private compartments on the famous "Orient Express" of pre-worldwar fame.
"We like the analogy.", said Ms. Swack. "But we couldn't use the name because the terminus of the flight is actually the Occident.
Other carriers are scrambling to retrofit their own cargo freighters, but are playing catch-up to the bold U.P.S. initiative. Fong/Feng Heavy Industry Ltd., previously known as the builders of the "Estonia" ferry, and the only manufacturer of the retrofit fixtures, is working one and a half shifts, round the clock , to keep up with the demand. And yet, parts are still in short supply. Reached by telephone at his office in Tangpung in central China, managing director Butchie Feng confirmed the high demand. "Man, we can't make this sh*t fast enough", he exclaimed jovially, "We've got the assembly line speed cranked up so fast we have workers knocked on their ass by moving parts. We may have to subcontract to the Vietnamese!"
