It’s amazing how some businesses will sacrifice $10 to save $1.

Update: A local business owner finally clued me in that commercial power around here is about 75¢ per kWh. I’ve re-done the whole article to match the new math. Higher than I thought, still not worth pissing off your customers.

I eat ate lunch pretty much every weekend at Aldo’s restaurant for the same reason I eat breakfast at the bakery every morning- free internet and a power outlet. Last year it was the perfect routine… donuts, coffee, blogging, then on to the performance or off to bike around the island. Seven days a week the bakery got my money and every weekend the restaurant served me at least two meals.

This year, however, they’ve covered all the power outlets. No more running the laptop on their dime. For all the tourists that drift through and considering rising energy costs, it makes sense, right? Wrong.
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Obviously, I have to travel a lot to be a musician. I fly pretty much anywhere I can get a gig, really, so I get a good strong whiff of airline customer service on a monthly basis.

Today I had yet another encounter with Northwest Airlines. Last time I flew Northwest was 6 years ago when they delayed my flight 45 minutes, put me in First Class, stranded me in Minneapolis, fed me, got me drunk, and gave me one of the best non-fiction journal entries I’ve ever written*.

As I’ve said to people for the last 6 years, Northwest goofed up and then came through in spades in customer service. Continental can kiss my feathered digital ass, Northwest knows how to treat a stranded customer.

Well today I was supposed to fly from Atlanta to Detroit to Boston, but the first plane was delayed by a full hour. With no way to make my connecting flight, they shot me over to Delta and gave me some vouchers to go get something at Chili’s.

Oh, and even though I’m still leaving 45 minutes later, it’s a nonstop flight, so I’m arriving 40 minutes ahead of schedule. Northwest, you have goofed up again, and I hope you keep this up every time I fly with you.

*“Jeff, John, two Donnas, and a guy with a tail walk into a bar.” Yes, I was the guy with the tail.