Modern-day folks sure do love their creature comforts. Perhaps that's why Uber Comfort has arrived in Newcastle.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
You've still got your stock-standard Uber. But if you want that little bit extra, you can chip in a bit more coin for a bit of comfort.
Uber Comfort comes with a "more spacious vehicle and more experienced, highly rated drivers with a minimum rating of 4.85".
You know what they say, folks. You've got to pay for quality. Or as Uber likes to say "just a little extra".
Uber Comfort also includes newer cars with extra legroom and headroom [lovely jubbly]; requested temperature control [turn the heat up would ya, guvna], quiet mode [no small talk or '80s music, then] and extended wait times [just a little patience].
If Uber isn't your thing, guess you can always go old-school and take a limo.
No Champagne
Speaking of modern-day creature comforts, a complaint to Singapore Airlines from a business class passenger has gone viral.
The passenger unloaded in a Facebook rant, writing: "Singapore Airlines should be ashamed of itself for charging so much for a flight that was worth very little."
The passenger said the airline "should be charging 30 per cent less" for its business class flights. He bemoaned that there was "no champagne" in business class.
He asked how business class was different from economy with only "one red wine, one white wine and Tiger beer".
"Shouldn't you make a difference for business [class] to at least have one champagne? I don't understand how having champagne would endanger safe distancing in the cabin."
The passenger added that there was "no drink service before the meal".
He wasn't pleased with the cabin staff.
"Why can't there be graciousness in the new normal? Your cabin staff did not even offer an extra drink. I had to ask for it.
"Worse still, despite not serving us, I noticed whenever I went to the toilet there was no safe distancing among cabin crew. They were chatting, having personal fun.
"There is a double standard when they are afraid to serve. What is the meaning of this?
"I did not appreciate that I was treated like a potential infectious customer by your staff. If cabin staff are so afraid to serve, SQ [Singapore Airlines] should not start their flights until there is a vaccine."
There was also "no offer of coffee or tea after the one tray service".
"How can you charge me $7000 for my seat?"
The passenger reiterated that "a business class flight should at least have a drink service - and here the champagne is very important to make a difference between economy and business cabins - and a post-dinner drink".
"I don't want to quibble about the in-flight entertainment being from March, or no towel service. I understand that the airline is only restarting."
But the passenger did highlight there was "no special goodbye by the chief steward for loyal customers".
"What's happened to basic manners on a business flight?"
In response Singapore Airlines stated: "We are sorry to hear about your experience. Please be assured that we have conveyed your concerns to the relevant department for their review and follow-up with you."
Tipping Point
A note next to a cafe tip-jar said: "Afraid of change? Leave it here."