The Washington Post reports
On a recent Alaska Airlines flight passengers were told to remain buckled and seated for the last 30 minutes before landing at Reagan National Airport. It was a standard security measure for flights heading into restricted airspace over Washington.
It also turned a planeful of passengers into captive customers who were then pitched a Bank of America Visa card — with little chance of tuning it out. Over the intercom, a flight attendant encouraged passengers to sign up for the Bank of America credit card. Then other flight attendants went down the aisle handing out applications.
Oh dear, more interruption marketing. This bit made me sigh:
Alaska Airlines spokeswoman Amanda Tobin said passengers had expressed an interest in learning more about applying for Visa credit cards and that the airline’s flight attendants share “basic” information.
I’d like to know on what piece of skewed research those weasel words are based.
It’s obviously tough for the airlines at the moment and the article goes on to relate the removal of free pretzels. I can live without the pretzels, but spare me the clumsy sales pitch. Compare and contrast Jeff Risley’s recent experience with Southwest (blogged here yesterday).
Thanks to Seth Godin for the link.
