By: E&P Staff The Washington Post published airline industry columnist Keith L. Alexander's final ?Business Class? column today.
Titled "Farewell to a Snakebitten Industry," Alexander?s column looked back over its five years of existence. He noted the changes that have forced the airline industry to adjust since the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks, including the new Transportation Security Administration, the loss of pensions and benefits for airline employees, and the continual hike of fees.
But, Alexander wrote, the "most important thing" he took away from his experience as the "Business Class" columnist was "that BizClass readers are some of the savviest business travelers anywhere.
"Please continue to be our eyes and ears," Alexander asked. "Travelers do have a voice and can often get things changed."
He pointed to the example of the rental car company Hertz trying to charge reservation fees on its vehicles. After Alexander wrote on the issue, he says, the company acquiesced to readers' vehement disapproval. Another column that prompted reader fury was on the issue of whether airline passengers should be allowed to recline their seats.
Alexander voiced confidence in his readers, and in his replacement, fellow Washington Post staffer Del Wilber. Taking his title from the recently released film "Snakes on a Plane," Alexander concluded his column with the following observation:
"With this industry, it's amazing that 'Snakes' producers actually thought that a few venom-spewing reptiles could actually unsettle airline passengers. For many frequent fliers, it's just life in the air."
Alexander will begin work in the Post?s Metro section this fall, where he will cover social issues and crime.
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