Days of luxury in the air appear to be gone for good

Every year, Mark Cameron plans a trip to warm weather for the week after Christmas. But this year, he may be left out in the cold because air fares are heating up.

"I checked flights to Miami and to spots in Mexico. They're double what they were a year ago," said Mark. "For a family of three, it gets pretty steep."

Jerry Eberts discovered the same thing when he booked a flight to Hawaii for next January.

"Fares are incredibly high," said Jerry. "I don't see how the airlines can get away with these high costs when they've eliminated all services."

Even popular domestic flights that traditionally offer lower fares are reaching new heights. One couple, who usually spend Thanksgiving in San Francisco with their children, has decided to stay home and put that money toward their grandchildren's college educations.

And it isn't as though you're getting more for your money. Before the fuel crisis, passengers could check two bags, tuck a pillow under their heads and sip a soft drink while nibbling on a bag of pretzels - compliments of the airlines. Granted that wasn't much, but it beats what we have today.

Those same passengers before deregulation would have been chewing gum during takeoff, reading a magazine and dining on the chicken-or-the-beef at 35,000 feet, also all gratis. But it would have cost them dearly. Those were the days when air travel was reserved for the rich and famous. For most of us, a trip to Europe was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

But when deregulation took off, fares came down. Upstart airlines offered drop-dead prices to popular destinations, and the old-time carriers had to either match the fares or fly into bankruptcy, which many of them did anyway. Since those days, the carriers have been in a tailspin.

To offset the losses, they have nibbled away at the perks while trying to keep the prices down. Meal service was the first to go. On domestic flights, airlines began stocking a few snack items and selling them from the in-aisle cart.

Before passengers finished beefing about no beef, the carriers were charging for checked luggage, extra legroom and sitting near the front of the coach cabin. JetBlue sells pillows and blankets from the aisle. Frontier Airlines charges for nonalcoholic beverages. And nearly all the carriers raised their fees for flying unaccompanied minors and pets onboard. Magazines, chewing gum, decks of cards, aspirin, baby diapers - all staples before deregulation - were all grounded. But what passengers lost in amenities, they made up in savings. Flying was often cheaper than driving.

Now that's changing. It looks like the airlines have found a new way to buck the headwinds. Across the board, the carriers are grounding planes, dropping destinations and raising their fares.

Passengers who had the foresight to buy tickets on flights before the fares go up may see their flights cancel. The airlines will be required to return their money, but that doesn't guarantee they'll have a seat. With the cutback in aircraft, planes will fly with full loads. Using frequent-flier miles will become a less frequent flier event than it already is.

The price of flying may return to the days of deregulation, but don't expect the perk s to return. It looks like the flying public will be in for some stormy weather this winter, even on a clear day.

Gail Todd, a free-lance writer,worked as a flight attendant for more than 30years. She can be reached via e-mail at gailtodd@aol.com.