Mr. President, Travel Inequality Is A Plague in Our Union

Dear Mr. President,

I completely understand your position on income inequality and its impact on our country.  I want to wish you the best and ask that you consider expanding your State of the Union speech to include a subject near and dear to my heart; travel inequality.

As a small business owner I’m required to watch every dollar we spend.  That means booking coach class or economy seats on many of the flights I take. 

Just last year that amounted to 66 flights on a single airline, with the total actually being a bit higher.  That’s a lot of flying and it truly sucks when I’m stuck in one of those cramped seats. 

Those coach seats aren’t that great as the airlines have cut back on leg room and other comfort to increase their bottom line. 

I don’t think it’s fair that I have to fly in coach when others get to fly in first class. I’m asking that you push for “airline seat equality” so that people like me don’t’ have to suffer on those flights.

Have you flown commercially lately, Mr. President?  If you did, you’d see that the boarding process is now by zone number. 

If you’re not a frequent traveler, you are stuck at the end of the line and might not even be able to bring your carryon onboard as all of the overhead space is already taken. I don’t think that’s fair. 

I’m asking that also you push for equal boarding time for all, and let us all rush the gate.  Gate agents be damned.  For those of us wily and crafty enough, we’ll take our chances when given the zone 1 pass … just don’t get in our way. 

Travel inequality extends far beyond the airlines, Mr. President, and is something you need to look at closely. 

The hotel industry is the greatest offender in this particular area.  Why should I have to stay in a Hampton Inn or a Red Roof Inn when others, who work no harder than me, get to stay in the likes of a Ritz Carlton. 

That’s just not fair, and I hope you’ll address this incredible inequality. 

Please don’t remind me that the Hampton Inn provides warm cookies, free breakfast and WIFI while the Ritz Carlton charges for the first two and doesn’t have a cookie happy hour. 

It’s still not fair and I’d like it to stop. 

Just don’t forget the little guys in this push for equality. Come to think of it, this should go all the way to the top.

I’d like to be first in line for my ride on Air Force One. You’ll do great with my zone 1 pass.

I’ve seen the hoops highlights. You have a quick first step.

Follow me on Twitter @murphytravels.