Cheapest Airline for flight from Beijing to Tokyo (or near Tokyo)?

Check out ctrip.com. You will need to use a credit card. As an alternative, find a Chinese booking agent and that will help as well. I have been able to get flights going across China for less than it would have took to take a train (I think the cost was like 500 RMB tops but it might have been less...it's been a while).

Obviously, the international part of your flight is part of the issue. A good booking agent will also help here as they will keep their eyes open for cheap \flights or spots that open up.

One word of advice. Make sure when the agent finds a decent price that you take it. Things can fill up fast and I think spots can be reserved only for a specific period of time.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Locke

"Always looking for the cheapest flights - driving ticket prices down and down and down, cutting the pay of the employees - making them work more jobs to make ends meet. And supporting shitty carriers that screw over employees at every step of the way. Everybody is in search of cheap flights, they think it is their god given right to travel across the country for $50."

1.) As others have mentioned, people try to go for the cheapest price all the time. It's not just flights, but everything from food, to cars, to games, to music, to clothes and the list just keeps on going. You can't blame people for trying to save money. You can only truly blame the companies for giving the deals out in the first place. And yes, i know getting the customer's to buy their stuff is the main reason for the deals, but ultimately that is the company's choice.

Originally Posted by Locke

"Look at what happened to Colgan Air - and all the other accidents that have been a cause of pilot fatigue... Look at the RV city that has been setup at LAX! It makes you wonder how much sleep those sitting up from have received - It's not like flight training is expensive or anything... and after going 40-60k in debt, it's completely acceptable, if not expected to work for 10.00/hour OR LESS."

2.) While I do agree that they have a more life-or-death situation here, I should also remind you that many other people of many other professions and lives also run into the same problem.
In addition, while not everyone flies a plane, there are people who have similar types of jobs that if done incorrectly have devastating consequences. Bus drivers come to mind quickly. So do train conductors. Crash brought up Taxi drivers which is another valid point. People who prepare and sanitize food also come to mind. This list can go on. While i do understand the frustration, what makes Pilots so different from those and other professions that they are worth of such a rant, but others are not?

Furthermore, this issue you speak of is not uncommon for most people. Those people might be exhausted by having a schedule similar to one you speak of. Those same people may be more likely to have an accident which depending on what could happen could do a lot of damage. What about those people?

Originally Posted by Locke

"Everybody thinks pilots make 6 figure salaries... but that is hardly the case. More often then not we're working multiple jobs, barely making ends meet, and never getting enough rest. All due to the demand that ticket prices go lower and lower. But it is as the old saying goes "Dead passengers are cheaper then injured ones."

3.) I never thought that they made six figure salaries. I doubt most people on these forums thought that as well. So the word "everyone" is quite too strong.
By your mention of ticket prices are getting lower, I am assuming that means that a pilot's pay is going down as well? I'm not saying it's unheard of, I have read the stories about various airlines. However, you can't just blame consumers for this issue. There are many factors for this. The current recession. The spike in gas prices over a year ago. In fact, if I recall correctly, it was the rising prices of airline tickets a bit over a year ago due to those reasons and more that caused some people to either not go on a trip, or just not fly. You can't blame the consumers for not wanting to pay for that. That is their choice. Furthermore, you can't blame them when some of their incomes have decreased. But nonetheless, that meant the airlines made less, and so (in theory, I have not seen an article or so on this yet) that they are trying to lower their prices to get more customers.

Ultimately, you can't blame another person for trying to find a cheaper price. That is how business has been conducted for centuries. Furthermore, it's the companies that make these choices. A company has just as much right to never give deals as a customer has to want, look for, and accept a deal. However, the companies aren't at fault either, as there are other factors that play into their decisions. Many of them though, are of no fault of their own or anyone else. Things happen.

If you truly feel this upset over your profession, might I suggest you look into another? You have the choice to continue your profession or not. Keep in mind though that all professions can and will be challenging. If you are expecting a high-paying, challengeless job, then I feel you will most likely be disappointed. Keep in mind that it would also be hard for you to change the "circumstances" currently that you are unhappy with in your profession. That is to say, if you were to suddenly jack up the prices to what you felt was "fair", people will either 1.) find someone else or 2.) not fly. And you can't get angry at them for either choice. If you do, then a person at McDonalds has just as much right to be angry at you for not ordering food from them.

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