=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SFGate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/n/a/2005/07/06/financial/= f055725D96.DTL --------------------------------------------------------------------- Wednesday, July 6, 2005 (AP) Airline Cutting Pretzels to Trim Costs (07-06) 05:57 PDT Charlotte, N.C. (AP) -- Passengers who love those little bags of pretzels given away aboard US Airways flights had better move fast to get some more because the airline is cutting them from the menu. Beginning in September, US Airways will pull the pretzels from domestic flights in a move expected to save more than $1 million a year. The savings is part of the airline's larger effort to compete with low-fare airlines, spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said Tuesday. Last month, Northwest Airlines replaced free pretzels with 3-ounce bags = of trail mix that passengers can buy for $1. Passengers "are not driven by whether there are pretzels there or no pretzels there," said David Stempler, president of the Air Travelers Association. Aboard transcontinental flights, US Airways last month started selling chips, candy and beef jerky for $3. Flight attendants also sell sandwiches for $5 or $7 on flights that last at least 2 1/2 hours. The airline will continue serving free juice and soda. US Airways' pretzel purge might not be permanent. The airline is merging with America West Airlines, which still serves pretzels or peanuts. An America West spokesman said the airlines have not yet solved the pretzel predicament because they're focused on bigger issues. ___ Information from: The Charlotte Observer, www.charlotte.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2005 AP