Senators to airlines: Drop bag fees to shorten airport lines

Associated Press ^ | May 10, 2016 6:32 PM EDT | David Koenig

[Olog-hai]

Two U.S. senators say one way to reduce long airport security lines this summer is for airlines to drop their fees on checking luggage. […]

Massachusetts Democrat Edward Markey and Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal said Tuesday they asked executives at 12 airlines to drop checked-bag fees this summer. The senators say suspending the fees won’t eliminate lines but it’s a start.

A spokeswoman for the nation’s largest airlines called the senators’ proposal a misguided attempt to re-regulate airlines and warned it could make airline travel more expensive — fares would rise to offset the loss of income from fees. …

[RetiredTexasVet]

Hiring competent people rather than perverts might speed things up!

[chargers fan]

Obviously my free market logic doesn’t like the idea of the airlines being meddled with here but after so many big business (to include airlines) have decided to enter the culture wars (not on our side) it’s hard to stick up for them.

[ronnietherocket3]

If they drop the fees, there will be more bags, more crowded-edness, more time needed to board and deplane... They need to raise fees, and airfares if they want to shorten wait times.

The fees are for checked bags. As a consequence of charging fees for checking bags, people carry them onto the plane (to avoid the fees). The bags then have to be examined by security causing delays. If they eliminate the fees, people will be able to check bags and then security for the checked bags can be handled in a manner efficient for checked bags.

It is also annoying when people bring their bags into the cabin and take up a huge amount of space in the overhead bins.

[Yaelle]

Here’s an idea: Profile likely bombers. Detain and examine those who fit the profile.

---

Bingo.

[Kickass Conservative]

Couldn’t they just eliminate th3e TSA by requiring People to fly Naked and abolish Carry On Luggage?

The Airlines could even add more Passengers and increase their Profits by having Steerage Class Passengers ride in the empty Overhead Luggage Rack.

[Sgt_Schultze]

They already do that. That’s why so many children and grannies are searched.

[Olog-hai]

They are no longer private enterprise(s) when they do engage in the so-called culture (or class) wars. On the list of communist goals for the USA, goal #37 is this:

Infiltrate and gain control of big business.

They have been working on this for far longer than the half-century ago this was written.

[Olog-hai]

Bad enough they had the “naked” body scanners. That idea would do the same thing (worse actually) for far less money.

[Kickass Conservative]

They could allow the Passengers to carry on a Newspaper.

The only downside is having Ink Butt when you get off the Plane. Better black than brown.

I am trying to remember. Didn’t some Politico guy make a killing selling those Body Scanner Machines to the TSA?

[This_far]

The FEDs won’t allow Montana’s firefighting helicopters to fight fires on Fed land. They are re-worked ex mil copters, but don’t meet Fed standards. (update, just checked, Fed will allow them to be used on SOME Fed land... 5 days ago).

They weren’t allowed last year. Sat on pads, ready to go, were told to ‘stand down’.

Can’t find it, but I believe that some Fed equipment was transferred to other states.

[This_far]

Massachusetts Democrat Edward Markey is best known for forcing the cable companies to stop charging for remote controls in order to lower consumer costs (how are your bills cable company consumers?).

Markey’s business experience is driving an ice cream truck, he lived in his Mother’s house for years (or used it for a place of residence/election).

He was completely put to the test (and failed) during a hearing on climate change by Mark Steyn (and Cruz).

His expanded district of Natick was included in something that Markey thought would bring Kelley’s Roast to the town (it was already doing business there).

The late Ted Kennedy was on a televised appearance where Markey called in... Kennedy didn’t know his name, it was live.

Anyone want this guy to have anything to do with air travel?

(this is all off of a quick recollection and I’ve been out of the state for years)

[Savage Beast]

Profile likely bombers. Detain and examine those who fit the profile.

I used to think I was of about average intelligence. Now I realize I'm a megagenius. I'm sure you've come to the same realization. The world is full of morons.

[sheana]

I never check bags anymore. If I need more than a carry on I ship a box to my destination and it’s waiting for me when I get there. Then I ship it home.
Because I don’t check any bags I can check in online and don’t have to check in at the airport. I also am on and off the plane in a flash.

[Grams A]

Great idea. One of our local mail centers ships golf club anywhere in the U.S. for just $5/set if you happen to use their mail box facilities. We use their address for all our business mail and take advantage of their golf club offer even though we always drive now. Just gives us a little more room to carry other stuff in the car carrier.