I would describe it as a hunger strike

I am back from Chicago in one piece. It was a great conference, my presentation went really well. I even went to two museums while I was there. And I did some excellent window shopping on Michigan Avenue.

The conference planners booked me a flight in and out on US Airways. I was on a really early flight so I could attend a dinner when I got there on Wednesday night. Anticipating at least an hour layover in Phoenix I didn't eat anything before I got on the first flight. I was shocked when the lady on the drop down screen joyfully presented the US Airways advantage.... Welcome to US Airways, where you pay for absolutely everything. We offer a wide array of Coke products at a 1000% mark-up. Adult beverages for $7. Plain old water $2 please. Correct change is appreciated, cash only!

Right then and there I decided that I was not willing to pay for anything on that airplane or the next three planes I was going to be on over the next two days. Here's the catch (and proof of my stubborn nature) we were delayed leaving Fresno which meant my Phoenix hour was shrunk down to a quick business call, a check-in with Kevin and the boys and boarding the next plane. The piece of the equation that is missing? Food! I continued to refuse food and drink throughout the long flight to Chicago. I don't even know what was in the $5 snack box, but I don't care.

Upon arriving in Chicago 2:00 pm Central, I sought out the Starbucks like some kind of bloodhound. A venti coffee with cream and a muffin. Crazy caffeine love. And it wasn't even Friday!

Dear Mr. Airline Executive,
This is seriously starting to get out of hand. The generous folks at GCYF paid almost $600 to fly me from Fresno to Chicago. You can't throw in a bottle of water with that flight?
I am a bit concerned. I fear that you are going to continue canceling flights out of Fresno and start selling seats for "Lap Adults". I fear that I am going to return from a trip telling my friends to make sure they bring quarters for the airplane bathroom. I fear that you are going to weigh me and charge me $50 for every 100 lbs. I fear that you are going to charge me for a seatbelt. I fear that at some point you are going to take all of the seats out of the planes and we are going to huddle on the floors clutching our luggage in our laps.

I fly quite a bit (yeah, you should see my carbon footprint, kind of embarrasing) and you all talk about this choice that we have when we fly. Here is my choice, I choose not to get ripped off! That is my choice but it doesn't seem to be an option, no matter what travel website I visit.

You might remember me from my last communication in May. I am the woman who was screaming about great companies and bankruptcy and asking for her airline bailout money back. Not my proudest moment but come on folks, what part of this am I missing?

Oh and another thing? Your crappy old planes do nothing to inspire confidence. If I had a quarter for every time I heard the words Electrical Malfunction I could afford to buy two Budweisers on your silly plane.

Sincerely,
The Hungry Girl in 4C