TSA Rules = Competitive Advantage?
Aug 28, 2006, 5:12 pm
#1
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TSA Rules = Competitive Advantage?
With so much publicity about no water and no gels allowed in carry-ons, I wonder why no airline hasn't seen it as a marketing opportunity?
Many of us want our bottle of water and our toothpaste. So why doesn't Acme Air run big ads in all the media announcing that every pax gets a free bottle of watet and a little tube of toothpaste as they enter the plane...an upgraded version of the amenity kits of old?
Or, is somebody doing this already and I haven't been reading the right newspaper?
Many of us want our bottle of water and our toothpaste. So why doesn't Acme Air run big ads in all the media announcing that every pax gets a free bottle of watet and a little tube of toothpaste as they enter the plane...an upgraded version of the amenity kits of old?
Or, is somebody doing this already and I haven't been reading the right newspaper?
Aug 28, 2006, 6:08 pm
#2
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Originally Posted by Middle_Seat
With so much publicity about no water and no gels allowed in carry-ons, I wonder why no airline hasn't seen it as a marketing opportunity?
Many of us want our bottle of water and our toothpaste. So why doesn't Acme Air run big ads in all the media announcing that every pax gets a free bottle of watet and a little tube of toothpaste as they enter the plane...an upgraded version of the amenity kits of old?
Or, is somebody doing this already and I haven't been reading the right newspaper?
Many of us want our bottle of water and our toothpaste. So why doesn't Acme Air run big ads in all the media announcing that every pax gets a free bottle of watet and a little tube of toothpaste as they enter the plane...an upgraded version of the amenity kits of old?
Or, is somebody doing this already and I haven't been reading the right newspaper?
Aug 28, 2006, 8:01 pm
#3
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Originally Posted by WRCSolberg
Maybe because the bans appear to be temporary and airlines are all about keeping costs low these days?
When I rented my car from Avis in SMF yesterday, I was given a bottle of Crest mouthwash, a tube of Crest toothpaste, and a pack of Crest Glide floss. If only Crest made shaving cream.
Aug 28, 2006, 8:06 pm
#4
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Some airlines already have this as standard, at least on longer and/or international routes. BA, for example, hands out a small amenity kit in economy containing tootpaste, toothbrush, eyeshades, socks and earplugs in economy. Water is also handed out in bottles, at least in business; I think in economy it comes in individual glasses.
Of course, business and first gets much more...
Shorthaul is a different story of course, at least with BA.
Of course, business and first gets much more...
Shorthaul is a different story of course, at least with BA.
Aug 28, 2006, 8:29 pm
#5
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Originally Posted by WRCSolberg
Maybe because the bans appear to be temporary and airlines are all about keeping costs low these days?
As for the bottled water, if bottles cost 33 cents each (a guess) and you hand out 300 per flight, you've only spent $100 per plane. Yet, suddenly you become the airline that cares about its pax (even those in coach)...I can hear the background music in the TV commercial right now
Sometimes you have to spend money to make money, and it seems like this is one of those times.
Aug 28, 2006, 9:10 pm
#6
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Originally Posted by SchmeckFlyer
Some airlines already have this as standard, at least on longer and/or international routes. BA...
Otherwise I fully agree -- that would be a great marketing opportunity for an airline, especially if coupled with a cross-promotion.
HTB.
Aug 28, 2006, 11:28 pm
#7
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I have wondered that too, but I think airlines just didn't have time to stock up on the toothpaste. I've stayed at a number of different Hilton's and Hyatt's and the gift shops are all out of toothpaste!!
Aug 28, 2006, 11:32 pm
#8
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There is some suggestion in the Security Board that the TSA are now forbidding the removal of liquids from aircraft - hence this idea would not work.
However, some hotels - Hyatt for example - are offering packs of shaving foam, toothpaste etc.
However, some hotels - Hyatt for example - are offering packs of shaving foam, toothpaste etc.
Aug 29, 2006, 4:41 am
#9
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Originally Posted by Markie
There is some suggestion in the Security Board that the TSA are now forbidding the removal of liquids from aircraft - hence this idea would not work.
Aug 29, 2006, 5:25 am
#10
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Don't forget that while any of us would send a guy down to Sams to buy fifty cases of water and have the baggage monkey put it in the jet bridges, total cost/bottle = $0.50. Time to implementation: 2 days.
The airlines, excluding southwest, could probably pull it off in six months for $5/bottle.
The airlines, excluding southwest, could probably pull it off in six months for $5/bottle.
Aug 29, 2006, 6:14 am
#11
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It would backfire because most people are happy that the TSA is finally "cracking down" on dangerous substances, and this idea would make it look like the airlines are trying to "evade" the new security rules.
In this environment where stupidity reigns, the airline that makes more announcements and does more diversions will probably get more business from the Nervous Nellies, and unfortunately they outnumber the rational types 2 to 1.
In this environment where stupidity reigns, the airline that makes more announcements and does more diversions will probably get more business from the Nervous Nellies, and unfortunately they outnumber the rational types 2 to 1.
Aug 29, 2006, 7:20 am
#12
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Originally Posted by Middle_Seat
As for the bottled water, if bottles cost 33 cents each (a guess) and you hand out 300 per flight, you've only spent $100 per plane. Yet, suddenly you become the airline that cares about its pax (even those in coach)...I can hear the background music in the TV commercial right now