American Airlines plans to start charging passengers $15.00 to check their first bag and $25.00 for the second bag.
Do you think airlines should charge passengers for just one checked bag?
15 Comments
Robbin Engel said:
no
Jala said:
Charging for a single checked bag is ridiculous. When passengers pay for a ticket to fly someplace its with the assumption that you can take with you basic needs for your travel, clothing, change of shoes, rain jacket, hair products, maybe a gift bottle of wine for a friend etc. With heightened security restrictions, you can only pass through security with up to 3oz of liquids or jells requiring you to check these items or buy them on the other end, and since the beginning, the overhead compartments as we know only allow for reasonable sized carryon bags.
I am an Elite member of one of the major carriers flying programs, so even with the one bag restriction; I am able to pass with two checked bags at no charge. So though this doesn’t directly impact me, I speak for those that it does.
One bag limitation was a shock at first, however I have since noticed that people can do fine. Lets face it, before people were just packing half the closet without thinking. If you want to buy gifts for when you return, try this. Pack two suitcases, placing one inside the other, then you will have two on the other end so you can pay the $25 surcharge once, not twice.
My prediction from this you will see other airlines talk about this idea. But what you will probably see is American Airlines flight costs remain competitive with other airlines while their passenger volume decrease, forcing them to cut more flights and end up in some sort of bankruptcy filing by 4Q08.
Not a good move!
Angie said:
I was very surprised to discover when I booked my flight on United Airlines, for a trip the summer, that a new fee of $20 for the first bag and $25 for the second. First no meals, then a fee and now I have read that they plan to decrease the amount of passengers per flight. That will mean more angry consumers having to fly stand by through no fault of their own. Now I have to use just a carry on. The ticket price is way too high and charging a fee for checked baggage is just adding injury to insult. The airlines are so concerned about going bankrupt then maybe they should focus on keeping the customer happy. No customers means no business. I am tired of footing the bill let the CEO take a big pay cut.
Angie said:
I was very surprised to see a new fee for checked baggage. First no more meals, then a new fee and now I am hearing that the airlines will be cutting back on passenegers on flights, so, this summer will mean lots of angry people stuck flying stand by. If the airlines wish to stay in business, which is sounds as though they don't, they should work to make things better not worse. I am tired of footing the bill, let the CEO's take it on the chin and take a big pay cut.
Barb said:
I agree with the other comments! We, as customers and the life line of the airline industry, are taking it in the shorts. The CEO's are getting a great big fat salary & we as customers are paying for that. What are the airlines giving us in exchange for that "high priced" ticket we're forced to pay???? Just a ride! That's all we are getting - nothing more; no customer service, no meals - just a ride. Before long they will impose a fee to use the toilets!
We are reducing our air travel as a result of the constant increases for this & that. Totally unnecessary!
Diane said:
All this is going to do is make the overheads way more crowded, longer security lines with people haveing to toss the "over weight" (4 oz) stuff and things that we that will not pass security. It will be a nightmare!! We used to fly several times per year but have chosen to drive more often. I truly believe the advertised price of a ticket should include all fees, taxes, and fuel charges. An advertised $200 flight becomes $259 or so before you even get to the airport! By the time you pay the extra fees with the high cost of a ticket - the gas prices and motels are more economical. Above poster is soooo right - let some of the execs take a pay cut. No customers = no business!! Why don't American businesses figure this out? Poor service = poor business practices!
Oyaji said:
I just seen where a Military Sgt returning home from I think , his 7th tour in Irag, was told that he had one two many carry on,and asked to place one as luggage, it contained over $3,000 of his personal camera equipment. The case was lost, but recovered in Portland, and you quess it, all was missing. Of course in small pront on the ticket, the airline will not replace the camera and equipment. What a way to treat a returning Military Person. Hes giving his life to protect us , but who is protecting him. Wonder if they charged him for the extra luggage, HANG YOUR HEAD IN SHAME AMERICA.
Skip said:
I just seen where a Military Sgt returning home from I think , his 7th tour in Irag, was told that he had one two many carry on,and asked to place one as luggage, it contained over $3,000 of his personal camera equipment. The case was lost, but recovered in Portland, and you quess it, all was missing. Of course in small pront on the ticket, the airline will not replace the camera and equipment. What a way to treat a returning Military Person. Hes giving his life to protect us , but who is protecting him. Wonder if they charged him for the extra luggage, HANG YOUR HEAD IN SHAME AMERICA.
Marsha said:
This is yet another example of why I try to boycot as much of Corporate America that I possibly can.
Marsha said:
This is another example why I try to boycott as much of "Corporate America" as I possibly can. And when I have to fly somewhere, I'd definately pick another airline.
Marsha said:
This is another perfect example why I try to boycot "Corporate America" as much as possible. When I have to fly, I'd definately pick another airline.
sd said:
Are they going to PAY me if they lose my luggage??
What a rip-off!
Harold Olsen said:
Charging passengers to check their baggage is totally stupid. If they are going to do this then the FAA needs to come up with some regulations for them. Airlines are always losing passengers' luggage therefore airlines, when they lose luggage, should be required to refund double the amount of the baggage check fee and the passenger keeps the refund if and when the luggage is found. Also, the airlines, when they find the lost luggage, must be required to notify the passenger immediately and return it without charge within 24 hours or face stiff fines.
Jean said:
My family and I tend to travel light. However, with the price of gas and airfare we attempt to make our trips worth it. If we're traveling across the country, we try to make the trips at least five days long. With three people traveling for five days, of course we're going to have luggage. Now, paying for one bag is simply stupid. The airlines are just going to lose more customers. I'd rather spend that $15-20 washing my clothes at a laudrymat on the other end than giving it to the airlines. Costs in general need to be curbed...and soon.
pjbalaska said:
I've reached the tipping point as far as air travel is concerned, and I am at the point where I can elect other modes of travel. The luggage issue is one among many; the tiny seats in coach, the increased air fares, the ridiculous security procedures. Go Greyhound!
no
Charging for a single checked bag is ridiculous. When passengers pay for a ticket to fly someplace its with the assumption that you can take with you basic needs for your travel, clothing, change of shoes, rain jacket, hair products, maybe a gift bottle of wine for a friend etc. With heightened security restrictions, you can only pass through security with up to 3oz of liquids or jells requiring you to check these items or buy them on the other end, and since the beginning, the overhead compartments as we know only allow for reasonable sized carryon bags.
I am an Elite member of one of the major carriers flying programs, so even with the one bag restriction; I am able to pass with two checked bags at no charge. So though this doesn’t directly impact me, I speak for those that it does.
One bag limitation was a shock at first, however I have since noticed that people can do fine. Lets face it, before people were just packing half the closet without thinking. If you want to buy gifts for when you return, try this. Pack two suitcases, placing one inside the other, then you will have two on the other end so you can pay the $25 surcharge once, not twice.
My prediction from this you will see other airlines talk about this idea. But what you will probably see is American Airlines flight costs remain competitive with other airlines while their passenger volume decrease, forcing them to cut more flights and end up in some sort of bankruptcy filing by 4Q08.
Not a good move!
I was very surprised to discover when I booked my flight on United Airlines, for a trip the summer, that a new fee of $20 for the first bag and $25 for the second. First no meals, then a fee and now I have read that they plan to decrease the amount of passengers per flight. That will mean more angry consumers having to fly stand by through no fault of their own. Now I have to use just a carry on. The ticket price is way too high and charging a fee for checked baggage is just adding injury to insult. The airlines are so concerned about going bankrupt then maybe they should focus on keeping the customer happy. No customers means no business. I am tired of footing the bill let the CEO take a big pay cut.
I was very surprised to see a new fee for checked baggage. First no more meals, then a new fee and now I am hearing that the airlines will be cutting back on passenegers on flights, so, this summer will mean lots of angry people stuck flying stand by. If the airlines wish to stay in business, which is sounds as though they don't, they should work to make things better not worse. I am tired of footing the bill, let the CEO's take it on the chin and take a big pay cut.
I agree with the other comments! We, as customers and the life line of the airline industry, are taking it in the shorts. The CEO's are getting a great big fat salary & we as customers are paying for that. What are the airlines giving us in exchange for that "high priced" ticket we're forced to pay???? Just a ride! That's all we are getting - nothing more; no customer service, no meals - just a ride. Before long they will impose a fee to use the toilets!
We are reducing our air travel as a result of the constant increases for this & that. Totally unnecessary!
All this is going to do is make the overheads way more crowded, longer security lines with people haveing to toss the "over weight" (4 oz) stuff and things that we that will not pass security. It will be a nightmare!! We used to fly several times per year but have chosen to drive more often. I truly believe the advertised price of a ticket should include all fees, taxes, and fuel charges. An advertised $200 flight becomes $259 or so before you even get to the airport! By the time you pay the extra fees with the high cost of a ticket - the gas prices and motels are more economical. Above poster is soooo right - let some of the execs take a pay cut. No customers = no business!! Why don't American businesses figure this out? Poor service = poor business practices!
I just seen where a Military Sgt returning home from I think , his 7th tour in Irag, was told that he had one two many carry on,and asked to place one as luggage, it contained over $3,000 of his personal camera equipment. The case was lost, but recovered in Portland, and you quess it, all was missing. Of course in small pront on the ticket, the airline will not replace the camera and equipment. What a way to treat a returning Military Person. Hes giving his life to protect us , but who is protecting him. Wonder if they charged him for the extra luggage, HANG YOUR HEAD IN SHAME AMERICA.
I just seen where a Military Sgt returning home from I think , his 7th tour in Irag, was told that he had one two many carry on,and asked to place one as luggage, it contained over $3,000 of his personal camera equipment. The case was lost, but recovered in Portland, and you quess it, all was missing. Of course in small pront on the ticket, the airline will not replace the camera and equipment. What a way to treat a returning Military Person. Hes giving his life to protect us , but who is protecting him. Wonder if they charged him for the extra luggage, HANG YOUR HEAD IN SHAME AMERICA.
This is yet another example of why I try to boycot as much of Corporate America that I possibly can.
This is another example why I try to boycott as much of "Corporate America" as I possibly can. And when I have to fly somewhere, I'd definately pick another airline.
This is another perfect example why I try to boycot "Corporate America" as much as possible. When I have to fly, I'd definately pick another airline.
Are they going to PAY me if they lose my luggage??
What a rip-off!
Charging passengers to check their baggage is totally stupid. If they are going to do this then the FAA needs to come up with some regulations for them. Airlines are always losing passengers' luggage therefore airlines, when they lose luggage, should be required to refund double the amount of the baggage check fee and the passenger keeps the refund if and when the luggage is found. Also, the airlines, when they find the lost luggage, must be required to notify the passenger immediately and return it without charge within 24 hours or face stiff fines.
My family and I tend to travel light. However, with the price of gas and airfare we attempt to make our trips worth it. If we're traveling across the country, we try to make the trips at least five days long. With three people traveling for five days, of course we're going to have luggage. Now, paying for one bag is simply stupid. The airlines are just going to lose more customers. I'd rather spend that $15-20 washing my clothes at a laudrymat on the other end than giving it to the airlines. Costs in general need to be curbed...and soon.
I've reached the tipping point as far as air travel is concerned, and I am at the point where I can elect other modes of travel. The luggage issue is one among many; the tiny seats in coach, the increased air fares, the ridiculous security procedures. Go Greyhound!