Posted on 08/26/2009 4:52:57 PM PDT by rabscuttle385
Fees for Airline Carry-Ons Could Lead to Universal Bag Sizes, Less Waiting.
BY RICK SEANEY
You know you want to, airlines. You're dying to do it. So which one of you will go first?
I'm talking about charging passengers a fee for toting a carry-on bag.
I know, it sounds crazy -- and I have no specific insider info -- but it's all the buzz with air travelers and you have to admit it's a logical progression: First the airlines charged a fee for a second checked bag, then for a first and, well, what's left?
At the very least, there will be some sort of overhaul of the "carry-on bag system" because, changes are overdue -- and, why wouldn't the airlines like to make some money off of it?
So, it could happen and, surprise -- some of you might actually like it, if or when it does. At the very least, you'll probably get used to it.
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
Southwest Airlines doesn’t even charge for checked bags, so if other airlines start charging for carry-on bags, it will just mean more biz for S-West Air.
I was just wondering the same thing the other day.
After that, we’ll need to buy vouchers to use the lavatory.
-PJ
The airlines won’t be charging me for anything. When I found out they had reduced my legroom by one inch and were asking $15 for a checked bag, I quit flying. Screw them and the TSA. I’m never flying again. Join me in my boycott.
I fly occasionally and only with carry-on bags that actually fit in the overhead compartment.
Most of the time, if I had my preference, I would be driving.
Why in tarnation don’t they simply raise ticket prices and be done with all this tomfoolery and Mickey Mouseing?
If the airlines want to be profitable, a faster means to the end would be to gut their labor force and start over (non-unionized).
Southwest is not price-competitive in the NE market. Paying for baggage on Delta or Jetblue is still much cheaper - total cost is all I care about.
Why not a boarding fee just to get on the plane? Or a prepaid toilet fee? A landing fee? An off loading fee for your baggage? Oh, so many possibilities.
Kind of limits cross country travel
“If the airlines want to be profitable, a faster means to the end would be to gut their labor force and start over (non-unionized).”
HELPFUL HINT ITEM
Are you aware that Southwest is a union carrier? Some people think they are non-union, which is the reason I mention it. Oh yes, they are also rather profitable.
It’s the only logical next step. They NEED to keep finding more ways to gouge us for cash. I can hardly wait.
In the West and Southwest US, S-West Air owns the market, price-wise.
>> Are you aware that Southwest is a union carrier?
Yes.
But Southwest’s unions don’t have the company’s balls in a vise the way American, United, et al do.
Most men don't.
If airlines start charging for carry-ons, then they will have to start charging women who carry purses.
Men who don't carry anything on will not be charged.
Can you hear the screams of "discrimination"?
If, on the other hand, women can carry their purses on for free, then I predict a market for "man bags" at stores within airports.
Airlines in the USA are the WORST.
I no longer put anything past them.
What’s that product that smashes down your clothes for
storage in your closet? I have very large pocketbooks and
I think with the help of that product I could get a
weeks worth of clothes in there....LOL
Why not just weight each passenger and his or her luggage, carry on and checked, then divide the total of all passengers and baggage into what it costs to make the flight, plus a reasonable ROI for the airline’s stockholders, add the taxes and make that the cost. It makes no difference to the airplane what kind of weight it is, all it knows it has to get it airborne and keep it there to the destination.
It would be a complicated equation, but with some work you could make it well worth a passenger’s effort to keep the weight to a minimum.
I know it’s not practical, but it would make for a fun exercise in math!
Nam Vet
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