I just flew cross-country, from San Francisco to New York and and back, on United Airlines. I think they've been doing their Premier Red Carpet Service for about the last year, and it's pretty ridiculous. They have a little red carpet throw rug in each departure lounge. Tossed down for the Premier and First Class passengers ONLY to walk over on their way to the departure gate. No lie. If you're Business Class or Economy, forget about it. I was a coach class peon and got waved off when I tried to walk on the scrap of red. One is left to assume that the target of this marketing ploy are the poor unsuspecting people who plunk down their hard-earned to fly in the plush seats. But do the well-heeled fliers really get a special thrill by scuffing their way across that little red mat? And does United really think the rest of us are yearning to follow in their footsteps? It all seems very silly. Fly United...but board apart.
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