var json_comments = new Array("
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EBounding
May 12, 2009 4:34 PM
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I accept the luggage fees, but I fell for the bait and switch with the seating fees.

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4 replies
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freelunch
May 12, 2009 6:52 PM
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@EBounding: if they are going to charge per bag... implying that it costs money for the extra space it uses... shouldn't we charge more for larger people?


I'm 6'0\" and 146 lbs.... shouldn't the 5'2\" woman next to me pay less, and a 250lb guy (that I pray doesn't sit next to me) pay more?

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DH405
May 13, 2009 6:17 AM
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@freelunch: You think 250 lbs is so bad that it warrants prayer? It isn't a problem until at least 300, I think.

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madog
May 13, 2009 12:12 AM
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@freelunch: think bigger than 250lb. I'm 230 but I ain't spilling over into nearby seating..... Yet.

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Alternate, I cho-cho-chose the impossible
May 12, 2009 10:36 PM
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@freelunch: SHHHH, dont give them ideas!

Either way, as logical as this is, it'll never happen because there will be outrage from probably everywhere. No company would enact a policy that would draw such intense criticism.

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exploded
May 12, 2009 4:38 PM
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I've managed to fly without having to check a bag. I'm a dude that's fine wearing the same pair of underwear for a week straight though. Is that wrong?

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7 replies
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Megalomania
May 13, 2009 7:01 AM
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@exploded: I think that having to pay for the privilege of having their unscrupulous employees manhandle your luggage with no liability is far worse than not changing your underwear.

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H3ion
May 12, 2009 8:26 PM
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@exploded: Not wrong as long as I don't have to sit next to you.

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wgrune
May 12, 2009 4:57 PM
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@exploded:


As long as you aren't that dude trying to jam an enormous bag that he should have checked into the overhead bin and I don't have to sit next to you at the end of your week, by all means.

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DH405
May 13, 2009 6:19 AM
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@wgrune: Now there's only one person to blame for that dude trying to carry-on a huge bag that should have been checked. The airline's CEO.

In a few weeks when I fly, I will be that dude cramming a big bag into the overhead. A ticket on United was bought for me, and I'd sooner stay home than pay a first checked bag fee.

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ennTOXX
May 12, 2009 4:53 PM
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@exploded:
it's only wrong if you are still wearing the comic book characters

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nerdtalker
May 12, 2009 4:41 PM
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I hate these fees. They aren't grounded in anything but pure profit. A pound is a pound, and it doesn't have anything to do with weight or balance like it once did.

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4 replies
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Nurburgringer
May 12, 2009 5:29 PM
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@nerdtalker:


you're right. Checked bags magically transport themselves from the counter to the plane's hold, then off to the luggage carousel. There are no systems necessary to track checked luggage either, it just knows where to go.


Paying more for this service makes sense - of course there's no way of knowing whether non-luggage-checking passengers are paying less than they did before (yeah right), but paying more for using more resources is absolutely fair.

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trujunglist
May 13, 2009 4:11 PM
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@Nurburgringer:

The problem with your argument is that this service was at one time free and there was no problem. Then, they used this fuel excuse to start charging for bags. Now I'm sure that they've renegotiated their fuel charges, so why isn't the baggage fee disappearing?
Secondly, if I am paying for this service, I would at least expect it to be on par with the ones that offer it for free, but ASSUME that it would be better, considering that they should have more money to pump into that particular system (baggage handling). Yet, a couple of weeks ago I flew on Delta out of SAN, and it was probably the biggest clusterfuck I've ever seen. I got there 1 hour and 45 minutes before the plane was to depart, and BARELY made the flight because of Delta. On the return, it took about 20 minutes longer to get the bag from the claim than it does with Southwest. I usually take Southwest, but that was not an option. I would be embarrassed if I were Delta; Southwest handles everything better.
But wait, Delta is a luxury airline! I really need 1 fancily dressed employee who has the sole function of handing out peanuts!

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karmaghost
May 12, 2009 5:41 PM
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@Nurburgringer: But I think the problem that a lot of people, like myself, have with these fees is that it used to be that your plane ticket included the cost of everything. It wasn't as though the cost of the ticket was simply for passage on the plane, it went to cover fuel, maintenance, food, drinks, baggage costs... everything. Now it's as though the cost of a ticket is simply just for the right to step on the plane and that fees cover all the rest.

I would be happy (relatively speaking, of course) if instead of separating the costs of all these things out in fees, they just included them in the price of the ticket like they used to and as a result, ticket prices went up. That way, I wouldn't feel as though I was being charged for something that almost seems like it could be avoided, but it really can't.

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arcman001
May 12, 2009 6:25 PM
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@karmaghost: @karmaghost: Unfortunately, airlines have razor-thin profit margins currently, and one way to increase profit margins are with multi-part tariffs (i.e. charging separately for basically EVERYTHING). Think of it this way: by charging to check bags, airlines are able to charge LESS for the actual ticket price, meaning that those who do not check bags are actually better off in the end. This means that the people who check bags (which cost the airline from $5-$10 per piece) pay for it and those who don't don't.

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redskull
May 12, 2009 6:05 PM
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@karmaghost: Ah, but then they'd lose the psychological benefit of telling you the ticket price is $500, when after the fees are all tacked on it's really more like $650. You snap up a $500 ticket, but might think twice about the $650.

Same principle as pricing something $9.99 instead of $10.

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MostlyHarmless
May 12, 2009 5:28 PM
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@nerdtalker: Actually they were grounded in not making a loss last year when they fuel costs were soaring.

The were grounded then. Right now, they just pull them out of thin air.

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Steve Duane
May 12, 2009 4:42 PM
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Although I think it makes more sense to charge for luggage by the pound and not the piece I don't generally have a problem with charging for checking bags. My only complaint is that after the fees started to be introduced you saw a lot more people trying to skirt the 1 plus carry-on rule or trying to pass off bags the size of mini-fridges as carry-ons. In my recent experience, though, gate agents and flight attendants have started cracking down on that more. (fyi, I fly almost exclusively on NWA/Delta)

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1 replies
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pot_roast
May 12, 2009 6:23 PM
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@Steve Duane: The carry on limits are actually a FAA restriction, not an airline one.

And ladies, you are usually the worst offenders.

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Raekwon
May 12, 2009 4:42 PM
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I factor the fees into my ticket cost and if there are comparable prices I try and stick with the non fee airlines.

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mikesfree
May 12, 2009 4:43 PM
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I used to fly American, now I do fly SW, so they may be right.

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Gargoyle_A2
May 12, 2009 4:44 PM
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All this has really done is make people bring more and bigger bags into the cabin. Next, they're start charging a fee to use the overhead bins. Hate these fees! It's a bag tax, and people change their behavior to get around it.

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1 replies
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Omar Elizondo
May 12, 2009 4:58 PM
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Agree. Now, we have to take even longer to de-board the plane since everyone has so much carry one luggage!@Gargoyle_A2:

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Sean Masters
May 12, 2009 4:44 PM
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I'm going to hold off on being upset over this until I see the financials. It could very well be that this change was required by many airlines in order to maintain and/or improve operations, as opposed to doing it just to screw consumers over.

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4 replies
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Matt Palmer
May 12, 2009 4:58 PM
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If t@Sean Masters: if they are going to charge fees, why not just raise ticket prices? That would make more sense if the revenue is needed to keep their heads above water. Or additionally cut down of flights, for instance does AA need to have 5 flights a day between chicago and fort wayne? I've done this route many times and there is never more than 6 people on the plane.

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econobiker
May 12, 2009 6:49 PM
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@Matt Palmer:
\"If t@Sean Masters: if they are going to charge fees, why not just raise ticket prices?\"


You need to ask the telcom industry- purveyors of the wildly successfull \"regulatory recovery fee\" which , as they all list, isn't a tax but a fee to compensate the companies for complying with certain government laws. Or, even closer to the airlines, ask the rental car agencies about their facility recovery fees...


I put these fees under the big heading \"FEAR THE ASTERISK\"...*


*Fees and taxes may apply, not all offers valid in every state, prices higher in Alaska and Haiwaii...

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Sean Masters
May 12, 2009 6:29 PM
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@Matt Palmer: according to industry analysts (in the news), lowering ticket prices increases customer numbers. Can't blame them for trying to put butts into seats.

What's funny is that people will defend Time Warner for offering tiered services to \"light users\", but the second the majority of the airline industry changed to this policy and said, \"Hey, we're lowering the price on getting you into a seat and everything after that is up to you\", people (not you specifically, Matt) get all up in arms over it.

I fly between 6 and 12 times a year and always chase the lowest fares because I know how to pack for the trips I take. Saving $30-40 on a ticket and then paying $10-20 to check a bag is fine by me if that total price is the lowest one. And because I'm an informed consumer, I know how to check on these prices.

The only cause for consumers to complain about this change should be a lack of access to information. Airline fares and fees should be listed right on the front page of that airline's web site, or maybe behind a \"Pricing & Ticketing Info\" link. Still, in most cases the information is there, it is available, and it is up to you to read it, digest it, and then not pack 3 bags for a 4 day trip like so many jerks seem wont to do ;)

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Coles_Law
May 12, 2009 5:44 PM
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@Matt Palmer: The problem with raising ticket prices is if Airlines A, B and C raise prices and Airline D tacks on a fee, airline D appears less expensive to bargain hunters and gets more business.

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ennTOXX
May 12, 2009 4:52 PM
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i try to fly everywhere jetblue does.
i can understand those people that take tooooo much luggage and make it seem like they are moving all their stuff in a moving van.
first bag should always be free, always.

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1 replies
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ennTOXX
May 12, 2009 4:55 PM
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@ennTOXX:
edit: i \"can't\" understand...

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vastrightwing
May 12, 2009 4:54 PM
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I hate the fact that I can't comparison shop because now there are a million small fees that add up and make your trip double! Would all merchants please stop the nonsense of advertising a price that you can't possibly get!!!!!!?


If you must pay a \"convenience\" fee, add it to the price. Will call fee? Add it to the price. Service fee? Add it to the price. Shipping? Add it to the price. Tax? Add it to the price. Sur charge? Add it to the price. This is all I want. Just make the fees included in the price.

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1 replies
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econobiker
May 12, 2009 6:50 PM
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@vastrightwing: As prices are listed in many European countries.

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chiieddy
May 12, 2009 4:55 PM
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I fly with a single, carry-on duffel bag. Seriously. I just pack Woolite packets and all my clothing in like colors for mix and match. You just need three outfits. One to wear, one dry and one drying after being washed in the hotel room sink.

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4 replies
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parkavery
May 13, 2009 9:52 AM
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@chiieddy: What do you do about, you know, toiletries? It sounds like you're a budget traveller, so not likely to stay somewhere that gives you free shampoo, deodorant, etc.

(No offense meant - I'm honestly curious)

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chiieddy
May 14, 2009 1:00 PM
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@parkavery: They fit in Ziploc baggies. 3 oz bottles for liquids. I also have a dead-bag, which has aspirin and other not often used essentials. I don't carry a big purse while traveling. Instead it's a bag I can hide under my jacket that holds my passport and other money. It's very compact. I don't carry a lot of 'entertainment' for the plane. Just an iPod with some movies and music on it. I've considered a Kindle for reading, but haven't done that yet. I haven't done this because I don't like to plan so much, but you can photocopy your travel books with set plans and put them in a folder, then throw out the papers when done going wherever you're going.

For toiletries, I bring a hairbrush, basic makeup (lipstick, mascara, foundation, coverup, blush) but only one color of each, face wash in 3 oz bottle, solid shampoo from LUSH, 1.5 oz LUSH moisturizer (Imperialis if you're curious), solid travel deoderant, travel toothpaste, toothbrush (in case), etc. It DOES all fit.

Here's a picture of the bag I packed for 5 nights in Italy:

Here's a picture of me IN Italy (the bag had enough room for my black leather jacket/blazer on purpose, I'm wearing a jacket I purchased in Florence):

This was mid-way through the trip. About day 3 or 4. You can see I'm holding my Rick Steve's book for Rome. I also packed a mesh grocery bag that I used to hold books and whatnot while walking around. It mainly just held my City Moleskine and my Rick Steve's. If I purchased something it went in there or my jacket pocket.

Another (not terribly flattering) picture of me a little earlier in the trip is:

You can see that I wore neutral cargo pants (most every day) and basic tops. Put a blazer over that top and a nice necklace and you can go out to a somewhat nicer restaurant. I also have a cotton skirt I pack that can be worn with my birkenstocks with that particular shirt. It has a nice floral embroidery on it. I wore it out with my inlaws and my husband to dinner last Sunday night. It's pretty nice.

My husband also had a packed bag, but the only items we shared between were the travel books, photocopies of travel documents and the dead bag (which I mentioned earlier, bandaides were good to have).

I didn't come up with these ideas on my own (BTW, ziplock bags are lifesavers when packing), I took a course at the BCAE in Boston called 'Packing with Pat'. I was so skeptical until I did it and now this is so how I want to travel.

I haven't perused it too much, but this site might be useful: [www.onebag.com]

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nakedscience
May 12, 2009 5:22 PM
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@chiieddy: I am pretty low-maintanance, and even I need more than three outfits for a week-long stay. What if you're doing some tourism crap, and then going out to a fancy dinner? Or you have several business meetings? Or you're going to the beach? Sometimes you need heels AND sneakers, sometimes you need a pair of jeans and a few comfy shirts, AND a nice suit.

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chiieddy
May 12, 2009 5:41 PM
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@nakedscience: Slacks, blouse and a jacket to put over it work in most casual AND fancier situations. I just had a change of shoes and some jewelry and makeup to add. I just wore slightly nicer than jeans and a t-shirt when at the Colosseum. This works well in Europe where people dress nicely anyway.

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nakedscience
May 12, 2009 5:48 PM
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@chiieddy: But not everyone is you, and not everyone travels the same way as you, and not everyone travels to the same places as you, or does the same things as you. And what if you get a stain on a shirt? Or a hole? Then you're screwed, or you have to suddenly find a Target.


And if you're traveling to Arizona (where I live), I want you to wear a blouse and slacks when you're trying to go casual and it's 110 out. Yay sweat stains.

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CreativeLinks
May 12, 2009 4:56 PM
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Flying to Orlando tommorrow. Here is what sucks. I need to bring Sunscreen.


But I can't BRING sunscreen on my \"carry-on\" because apparently I can hijack a plane with it.


So. Delta just made $15 due to \"security reasons\".


This just doesn't seem right.

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9 replies
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chiieddy
May 14, 2009 1:03 PM
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@CreativeLinks: Do you have a Container Store near you? If not, Bed Bath and Beyond sells little 3 oz plastic, leak-proof bottles for travel that you can fill with your sunscreen.

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Jfielder
May 13, 2009 1:23 PM
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@CreativeLinks: Actually, Delta just made $30 because you needed to bring sunscreen (gotta bring that suitcase back somehow)... Unless you're only checking a large bottle of sunscreen with a luggage tag on it. Which would be hilarious.


Seriously, even airport sunscreen has gotta be cheaper than 30 dollars. Leave the suitcase, bring a carry on, and give extra fees the shaft.

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econobiker
May 12, 2009 6:55 PM
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@CreativeLinks: A 3oz or larger tube or bottle of sunscreen could fit pretty well in a tall sock on your leg- or even better for the ladies inside a stocking against your inner thigh.


Just saying...


Not that I ever got a 3oz+ over-the-counter liquid cough med bottle through security in my pants...

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Tambar
May 12, 2009 5:29 PM
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@CreativeLinks: You may pack as many 3.4 ounce bottles of sunscreen as you like, just put them all in a gallon-sized clear plastic bag when you go through X-ray.

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CreativeLinks
May 12, 2009 6:28 PM
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@Tambar:


Which is exactly my point. If I can bring 30 OZ of any liquid onto a plane by moving them into 30 different bottles, what exactly is the \"security\" measure here?

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Omar Elizondo
May 12, 2009 5:02 PM
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Lately, with all this carry on hassle, I've seen the screeners really care less. I've brought canned food, gels, and even a bottle of Dr. Pepper on my carry on...no problem. I hope you can too.

BTW, we need to stop terrorist from using sunscreen!@CreativeLinks:

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HIV 2 Elway
May 12, 2009 5:01 PM
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@CreativeLinks: Can't you buy sunscreen in Orlando for less than $15?

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Sean Masters
May 12, 2009 6:34 PM
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@HIV 2 Elway: This.

@CreativeLinks: If you honestly don't know the rules for liquids on planes in the USA, nearly 8 years after 9/11 and thus the implementation of those rules, I have absolutely zero sympathy for you.

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nakedscience
May 12, 2009 6:56 PM
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@Sean Masters: Uh. He clearly knows the rules: \"But I can't BRING sunscreen on my \"carry-on\" \" He was just commenting/complaining about how lame it is (and it is).


Also, just so you know -- the No Liquids rule didn't start on 9/11. I believe it was August 10, 2006, if memory serves correctly, because I actually flew that day.


And THAT day, NO LIQUIDS were allowed--it was a few days or weeks later that the size restrictions were randomly made up.


Also, THAT day, I accidently brought on some liquids that the TSA agents missed.

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ironchef
May 13, 2009 12:35 AM
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@nakedscience: Liquid sizes were NOT randomly made up.

An Al Qaeda 8oz liquid bomb hidden in a bottle of contact lens fluid actually blew a 2 foot hole on a 747, killing 1 passenger in 1994.

[en.wikipedia.org]

The bomb experts at the FBI determined 8oz was just barely enough to blow a hole in the fuselage. The plane didn't crash into the pacific because the bomber miscalculated the location of the fuel tanks by 1 foot.

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parkavery
May 13, 2009 9:55 AM
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@ironchef: So what's stopping me from bringing 3 x 3oz of liquid explosives onto the plane? The TSA rules allow it. I don't even have to bring a friend to fit that much in a 1 quart-sized baggie.

If 8oz was enough, surely 9oz is overkill. (ooh, not punny)

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Sean Masters
May 12, 2009 8:51 PM
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@nakedscience: I accidentally the reading comprehension. My fault, there.

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rdm
May 12, 2009 5:29 PM
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@HIV 2 Elway: ...or bring less than 3 oz of sunscreen on your carry-on bag?

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HIV 2 Elway
May 12, 2009 4:59 PM
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Packing light is an art form eveyone should learn. That and the art of carrying your bag. No self respecting male uses a bag with wheels.

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7 replies
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Jfielder
May 13, 2009 1:31 PM
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@HIV 2 Elway: That's why I love my carry on size backpack! Perfect to fit stuff for about a week, fits nicely into the overhead bin, and is also great for traversing tricky subway stations!

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econobiker
May 12, 2009 6:57 PM
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@HIV 2 Elway: Until they have had prior back problems...


Nothing like blowing a workers comp case because you had to be macho and carry yer stuff at the airport.

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nakedscience
May 12, 2009 7:02 PM
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@econobiker: Apparently, if you are using a rolling bag, you are not a real man, bad back or no bad back! Apparently, people like HIV 2 Elway are way too concerned with what other people think of them.

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wheresmymind
May 12, 2009 8:33 PM
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@nakedscience: I think it's obvious that his \"real men\" comment was somewhat tongue-in-cheek. The gist of his post is that by using a modicum of restraint when packing it's easy to get just about everything you could want to bring in an average suitcase. These wheeled bags are part of the problem - if my girlfriend lived 30 years ago she wouldn't dream of traveling with 70 lbs of luggage for her 5'4'' frame to lug around. Now everyone has the capacity to transport loads of crap with them when they travel, only problem is that with increased fuel prices the airlines can no longer afford to. Rather than raise everyones rates, they charge the \"non-light packers\" of the world extra. For those of us that have never checked an extra bag in their lives, the response is likely \"so what?\"

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wheresmymind
May 12, 2009 6:26 PM
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@HIV 2 Elway: I love watching people struggling to \"wheel\" their luggage up steps. \"Allow me to introduce you to an activity called \"lifting.'\"

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parkavery
May 13, 2009 9:58 AM
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@wheresmymind: I love watching \"airport bowling\" when someone tries to wheel their bag onto the escalator.

Bonus points if the escalator is within sight of the elevator.

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nakedscience
May 12, 2009 5:24 PM
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@HIV 2 Elway: Some people are so judgemental and picky about how other people travel, jeez. What if said male has a back problem? Or needs to carry some kind of heavy equipment? Or has business meetings AND beach time planned, so he needs more than just two outfits?

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exploded
May 12, 2009 5:56 PM
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@nakedscience: The scientific name for a wheeled suitcase is a \"Nerd Caboose\"

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nakedscience
May 12, 2009 6:32 PM
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@exploded: It's also a LOT easier than carrying a heavy bag. I'd say the smart people are using wheeled bags that are easier, while the TOUGH GUYS! who are oh-so-concerned with how they look are kind of being stupid by making their lives difficult by hand-carrying a heavy bag when they could get a rolled bag and make their lives easier.


But I don't think someone is awesome just 'cuz they like to make their lives hard.

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HIV 2 Elway
May 12, 2009 6:42 PM
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@nakedscience: Its not heavy because smart people pack light.

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nakedscience
May 12, 2009 6:57 PM
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@HIV 2 Elway: And some people are traveling for more than one or two days, or have to pack for business AND pleasure, or have equipment they also have to bring.


Surprise, not everyone is you!

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HIV 2 Elway
May 12, 2009 8:03 PM
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@nakedscience: If you're traveling with equipment you are most likely traveling for work in which case a fee for a checked bag will be picked up by your employeer.

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theblackdog
May 12, 2009 5:12 PM
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When I fly for business I have no say about what carrier I use, but that's for my employer to deal with. When I fly for pleasure, Southwest Airlines and their lack of fees FTW!

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MoreFunThanToast
May 12, 2009 5:19 PM
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I fly Southwest, no fees ftw

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1 replies
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econobiker
May 12, 2009 6:57 PM
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@MoreFunThanToast: 2nded or maybe just in the B boarding group...

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Preyfar
May 12, 2009 5:22 PM
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I just drive if I can. Between the TSA and fees... air fare isn't convenient anymore.

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1 replies
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freelunch
May 12, 2009 6:49 PM
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@Preyfar: cheaper/faster if you are travelling more than 200 miles

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MostlyHarmless
May 12, 2009 5:33 PM
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But how much does that 278M come out in terms of Percentages. As in, whats their total Revenue - Profit - Operating Cost thingy?

I mean I detest these fees as much as anyone, but 270M does not sound like a lot for an airline.

Ofcourse, Very likely that I am mistaken. Anyone care to provide any numbers?

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wheresmymind
May 12, 2009 5:38 PM
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I have no problem with these extra fees, I welcome them in fact. All my life I've prided myself on packing light. When we'd go on vacation growing up, I'd have my nice little duffel bag and backpack slung over my shoulders, while my sisters would be bogged down with their suitcases, tote bags, random pillows, etc. \"Help your sister, Michael, you have two free hands and she can hardly hold onto her luggage\" my parents would say. And then I would be forced into lugging around my sister's crap, all because I brought a reasonable amount that I knew I could carry comfortably.
Man, it's amazing how worked up I still get over this. Maybe I should tell this to my therapist...

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HIV 2 Elway
May 12, 2009 5:44 PM
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@wheresmymind: People who travel with pillows should be suffocated with them. I saw someone at opening day bringing a pillow into the ballpark, WTF?

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nakedscience
May 12, 2009 6:33 PM
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@HIV 2 Elway: Some people find it difficult to sleep without their favorite pillow, or they like their pillow on long flights. Bringing it to a baseball game is WEIRD, but you're not carrying it so ... why does it matter?

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Pandrogas
May 12, 2009 5:43 PM
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I tend to avoid the fees by traveling light. I've hardly ever needed to check bag and usually get by with two carry-ons (one for clothes, one for other stuff). Fits in the overhead or under the seat.

Then again, if you're traveling with your family or lugging equipment around, those fees would start to pile up pretty fast.

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packcamera
May 12, 2009 5:52 PM
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For those who ticked off \"Yes, I avoid airlines with fees,\" what airlines are you getting on? Air Mongolia?

I don't know of any major international or nationwide carrier who is not charging luggage fees.

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HiPwr
May 12, 2009 5:57 PM
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This doesn't irritate me too much UNLESS they charge me a fee and I arrive at my destination without my checked luggage. I think I'd try and get a refund for the fee at that point, although I'd probably fail.

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italianscallion33
May 12, 2009 6:10 PM
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I usually can't pack light enough for just a carry-on if it's any more than 2 nights. For this reason I LOOOOVE Southwest. Dirt cheeap too. And always friendly. I also like the open seating policy. Rewards people for checking in early online. Punishes lazy stupid people.

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italianscallion33
May 12, 2009 6:10 PM
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@packcamera: For domestic travel: Southwest. For overseas travel: no idea.

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italianscallion33
May 12, 2009 6:11 PM
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Southwest is good for domestic, though they probably aren't as big as others. No bag fees, no curbside check in fees, free food, even on puddle jumpers.

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pot_roast
May 12, 2009 6:25 PM
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Google \"southwest raises ticket prices\" and you'll see why they don't charge for bags. They simply rolled it into the prices of your ticket. Those that fly with no bags are subsidizing those that are traveling with bags. Just sayin' ....

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nakedscience
May 12, 2009 6:59 PM
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@pot_roast: Southwest still has great prices. They didn't go up that much. And most people prefer that, anyway.

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mrgenius
May 12, 2009 7:37 PM
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@nakedscience: Do they still do that open seating situation going on? I really hated that as a single or business traveller because I was always having people to ask if I would move so they can sit next to whomever even though I was settled in.

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nakedscience
May 12, 2009 8:04 PM
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@mrgenius: Sort of. You get assigned A, B, or C. A goes first, B goes second, then C. If you check in 24 hours before the flight, you'll usually get A, sometimes B.

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mrgenius
May 12, 2009 9:03 PM
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@nakedscience: Eh, it's too far to drive to fly them anyway with the crazy parking fees at BWI.

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glitterpig
May 12, 2009 6:28 PM
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I used to fly whoever was cheapest; now I fly Southwest, because I know that the \"cheapest\" is going to be like $100 more per ticket than what comes up in the search, and Southwest is basically going to be what it says.


So I guess they're getting some market share that way. I don't know if most people pay that much attention, though.

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econobiker
May 12, 2009 7:00 PM
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@glitterpig: They advertise the no-hidden fees deal too...


They may be bus like but they are on-time and try to be completely honest- both of which the other airlines fail on either one or both at a time...

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nakedscience
May 12, 2009 8:05 PM
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@econobiker: Exactly. And I kind of like being able to pick my own seat. Why is that a bad thing? Also, the attendants are always really nice and awesome. Even Aug 10, 2006, during that London Bomb scare, they were super awesome.

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nakedscience
May 12, 2009 7:02 PM
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God DAMN, it always amuses me that people are SO CONCERNED! with how other people travel and pack.

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PLATTWORX
May 12, 2009 7:22 PM
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i personally feel ANY fee that was added when fuel prices soared with THAT as the reason should be removed now that fees have dropped.


I don't fly often and while I heard of fees for 2nd bags, I was stunned yesterday when I booked a flight that everyone other than Southwest wanted $15 for a FIRST BAG. I am going away for a week and MUST check one bag. There is no way I can carry on a week's clothing.


I will add that while Southwest had no bag fee, it was $100 more for the flight.


I say you simply add that fee in your head as part of the ticket price. I did and still selected the lowest priced carrier.

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gaywolverine
May 13, 2009 3:47 AM
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@PLATTWORX: Why should I subsidize you flying for one week away from home, when I will be gone for a day or two and do not need to pay that money. It is really much fairer. The one problem I do have is the inability to bring my own soda or water on the plae, and then charging me. If I am in the air for 3 hours I damn well better get some water for free, but some airlines charge for this. I dont mind it if they allowed me to bring my own. Back in the day, I regularly flew with a bottle of vodka in my briefcase for more turbulent flights.

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Anonymous
May 12, 2009 7:23 PM
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The real reason or at least my gov’t conspiracy reason: The more airlines are allowed (encouraged) to charge for luggage fees the larger the security line waits get. With longer security waits, more people are inclined to become “registered traveler.” Now the gov’t can easily track more people.

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mrgenius
May 12, 2009 7:34 PM
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I think Virgin America has a great model, though their service is a bit limited right now. Your first bag is free and everything else is ala carte.


You order everything using the touchscreen console, swipe your credit card, and 2 minutes later, a flight attendant has whatever you ordered. And if you spring for \"main cabin select\" which is basically the bulkhead/exit rows, everything is free plus you get the legroom.


I just think it's nice to have the option to choose a more expensive ticket with all the freebees or to decide to pay everything and get the less expensive ticket. Plus you can get into the Virgin Atlantic Club for $35!

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kwsventures
May 12, 2009 7:40 PM
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All those many years that the airlines failed to collect these baggage fees.

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revmatty
May 12, 2009 8:28 PM
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How hard is it to pack smart? I realize every situation is different, your mileage may vary, etc etc. My wife likes to travel with a lot of accessories and we still managed to comfortably fly across the country with 3 children under 5 with only four suitcases and two carryons.

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gaywolverine
May 13, 2009 3:49 AM
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@revmatty: Please let me know your travel plans, so I can avoid any plane with three children under five. I also suggest condoms on any trip you take.

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revmatty
May 13, 2009 3:11 PM
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@gaywolverine: I understand your concerns. While my kids aren't perfect, we managed two four plus hour fights without disturbing the people around us and in fact several of our fellow passengers commented on how well behaved our kids our. And we work hard to teach them to behave well because we realize that they are *our* kids and shouldn't be annoying other people when we go out.

Thanks for the reminder on condoms, never can have enough of those on hand!

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surfer88
May 12, 2009 8:39 PM
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I travel light and can usually pack a week's worth of clothing into a backpack or small shoulder bag (that's all you need anyway, since laundry doesn't stop just cause you leave home). My problem with the airlines is the horrendous odd-sized baggage fees I pay when traveling with a surfboard. I don't get how the guy in front of me can get his fifty pound bag of golf clubs to Australia for free, but I have to pay $150 bucks to tote my fifteen pound board.

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kathyl
May 12, 2009 9:00 PM
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I avoid the fees on airline travel with a three-pronged approach.

1) If the same trip, driven, would be 15 hours or less, we drive it instead of flying. Yeah, doesn't save us money (especially if we have to break the drive over more than one day) but I choose to buy gas for one of our fuel-efficient cars and take whatever the heck I want to in whatever sized bottle I want without anyone making me hand my bags over to strangers who are known to steal out of them.

2) If the trip would be too arduous by car, we pack light and carry on everything. We try to take up as little room in the cabin as possible with reasonable-sized bags and ones that fit under the seat in front of us so that we don't make nuisances of ourselves following this guideline.

3) If I need to take more than we can carry on in reasonable sized bags, I pack it into a box I'm reusing from Amazon or something and send it ahead to our destination. Usually we are visiting family so this is not a problem, but for an upcoming trip to Disney, the resorts there are well-versed in accepting packages for guests arriving soon afterward. I sent the equivalent of two checked bags worth of stuff ahead of us to our resort and it was $23, UPS Ground. We are flying United (the only non-stop that was available to our destination when I booked, unfortunately) and they would have slapped us with a $30 fee for that stuff. So I saved $7 and I don't have to haul the stuff around at the airport.

I will NOT pay a fee to an airline that I believe is unfair unless there is no reasonable alternative, and if you think outside of the box (or inside the UPS box, har har) they can usually be easily circumvented.

I wonder if the airlines who are hooting about the revenues from their beloved fees know that my family has taken around 10 long car trips since the advent of these fees that would have been airplane trips if only they weren't being so unreasonable. What has one gained if you hit one poor guy for $15 only to lose the proceeds from selling entire airfares to the passengers who avoid you and turn to their cars or trains instead?

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pritzkaudale
May 12, 2009 9:20 PM
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Rather than pay their unfair fees, I just plan ahead and mail my stuff to the hotel with a phone-ahead to the manager to expect and hold them. The USPS doesn't let me down and invariably the manager is so impressed he recommends it to his favorite customers. The USPS doesn't add that stupid fuel surcharge like UPS,and it beats standing around that worthless carousel waiting to see how badly those underpaid/overworked handlers managed to bash up my luggage!

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KerriNiger
May 12, 2009 9:35 PM
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I disagree that we've \"gotten used to\" the baggage fees. That makes it sounds as though we've complacently said \"oh well... guess it's not so bad...\" No, we've bitched and moaned and screamed, and we still hate them, and maybe some of us will still pressure the airlines when we have a chance to get rid of them!

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MissPiss
May 12, 2009 10:56 PM
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I fly Southwest, because they seem to be the only airlines that understand that when I fly to Vegas, I gotta have my big, heavy suitcase to fit all my sl*t heels and outfits!

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Smorgasbord
May 12, 2009 11:30 PM
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The fair way to do it would be to charge by the pounds only, including the passenger. That way there is just one fee, and the bigger people pay a higher fee automatically. I would like to see a rule that measures the width of a person so the bigger ones have to use two seats. I have nothing against their size, but on long flights having one on each side of you could be frustrating.

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swintronix
May 13, 2009 12:33 AM
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Bag Check fees are good for the airline, but bad for the economy.


I recently bought a candle while traveling. I couldn't take it on the plane with me (because it might be made of C4?) so I had to pay a $15 bag fee to check my carry-on bag containing a $3 candle. For less money, I could have had it shipped.


When I go on vacation, I will no longer purchase anything that I can't take with me in my carry-ons. If I do, I will need to factor the $15 into the total price of the item. Suddenly, the item is WAY over-priced.

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Lauren Guitar
May 13, 2009 12:48 AM
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Air Canada lets to check in two bags for free before you're charged extra, although they have slews of problems with other things.

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personnext
May 13, 2009 6:11 AM
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I have status on American Airlines and am able to avoid all luggage fees.

Too bad everybody still thinks they can cram everything into a carry-on. If you can't afford to check in a bag, maybe you should be putting your vacation.

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Andrew Greenman
May 13, 2009 10:40 PM
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I think the additional baggage fees are annoying. With tight security these days, some people are practically forced to check a bag. Yeah, some of you may not travel with things that need to be checked, but still... not everyone is the same.

I really hate it when people just accept those fees. We have a right to fight against them! I'll be willing to accept a compromise - 2nd one having a charge, but the 1st one being free. That's a pretty reasonable compromise, IMHO.

With gas prices being at a record high last year, those fees, while annoying, were somewhat palpable. Now, with gas prices being at half of what it was last year, United and US Airways STILL has the gall to increase their fees from $15/$25 to $20/$30... it's obvious this is all about pure profit.

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tworld
May 24, 2009 2:33 PM
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Just imagine all the money airlines will be making when they start their latest idea of charging passengers to take a piss.

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