Posted on 04/18/2010 1:37:00 PM PDT by EveningStar
SPIRIT AIRLINES put a few noses out of joint when it announced this month that it will begin charging passengers between $20 and $45 for carry-on luggage too big to fit under their seats. One of those dislocated schnozzes belongs to US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who pronounced Spirit’s new carry-on fee “outrageous,’’ and growled: “We’re gonna hold the airline’s feet to the fire on this. Because we have an obligation to do it and we have the ability to do it.’’ Asked to characterize the airline’s change of policy, LaHood asserted: “I don’t think they care about their customers.’’
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
It’d be curious if you showed up with a extra large purse and see what they’d say about that.
It should be expected that a person will have a carry on suitcase. Very few people travel so light that they only have a purse or briefcase. It should already be IN the price.
Besides, $20 to $45 is steep for a bag the airline doesn't have to handle and they know it.
There is all the difference in the world between free market competition and misleading pricing. When I buy an airline ticket between DC and LAX, I have every reason to believe that the price includes the seat, fuel to get me there, a pilot, taxes and fees, security surcharges and reasonable luggage, but not excessive. I should not have to read the fine print in an air passenger carrying contract (ever read one of those things) to find out what I am actually getting for my fare.
I blame all the idiots who carry on giant bags and take up all the space for the rational people. A carry on isn’t supposed to be a full on suitcase in the first place.
Not the governments business - as long as they are not actively deceiving people with false ads. If this is so egregious, it willl cost Spirit enough money that they will change the policy. If you don’t like it, fly something else.
It’s not a security or safety concern. Keep government out of it.
It might be to your advantage to keep the bag in your possession. They don’t want you to lock your luggage now, so if you have anything of value that you don’t want to lose, the fee might be worth it.
“Because we have an obligation to do it and we have the ability to do it.’’”
No you don’t have an obligation to do it you fed thug ba$tard.
There is all the difference in the world between free market competition and misleading pricing. When I buy an airline ticket between DC and LAX, I have every reason to believe that the price includes the seat, fuel to get me there, a pilot, taxes and fees, security surcharges and reasonable luggage, but not excessive. I should not have to read the fine print in an air passenger carrying contract (ever read one of those things) to find out what I am actually getting for my fare.
This is a good point. Few people really know what they are talking about whenever they squak “Free Market” anyway. You should always get what you paid for..and this is the crux of the matter
The real losers in this carry-on ba charge are those people who have few options other than Spirit Airlines
I used to check my carryons when it was free. Especially when coming home, less hassle and if the airline loses my luggage, they’ll just deliver it to my house.
Now, because of the luggage charge, I don’t do that anymore.
The luggage charge was to shift the cost from business travelers to vacation travelers. Business travelers are frequent customers, although vacationers can decide to avoid the airlines altogether. I really wonder how the luggage charge effects them.
There is actually a reason for DoT to get into this, but not for the reasons LaHood is. The more carryons there are, the more burden there is on screeners. If people would check their carryons, screening would be faster.
Airlines would do better to have one free checked bag and charge for additional carryons. Too many people board the plane loaded up like they are about to tackle Everest.
It's in the public's response. If they understand that the carry-on fee is an add-on to the ticket fare, Spirit loses.
If the public is too stupid (remember: the average IQ is only 100), Spirit wins.
Spirit has now given me a means to reject them as a carrier when they show up as the lowest fare in my corporate booking system.
So far, yours is the only discernible post of reason rather than emotion to this thread.
The charge is for a bag too big to fit under your seat. I’ve traveled where I only needed a small bag that fit under my seat.
If the airline wants to make it worth my while to travel light, why should the government stop them? If nobody likes the new fee structure, they will lose business.
I am sick and tired of the government trying to “protect me” from companies.
I'm certain that when you buy the tickets, they will expressly tell you what is covered by the tickets.
If you don't want to read the contracts, that's not my fault.
What if the tickets cost $15 less, now they they collect $20 for an overhead carry-on? Will you still pay more for a ticket on another airline, just to spite them for giving you the option of paying less?
If they charge the same for the under-seat option as others do for the overhead option, they will lose out, but I doubt that is their plan, and if it is, they will lose and it’s still none of Shumer’s or LaHood’s business.
Fly Southwest Air.
No charge for standard baggage.
You've just proven that with your post.
You should always get what you paid for..and this is the crux of the matter
And the individual consumer is too ignorant to make that determination on their own? You must be so pleased the federal government is inserting itself into the equation to save you from yourself. Let government take care of it so I don't have to think. Big government conservatives are a trip.
I didn't say anything about the government getting involved. I'm strictly speaking about the policy at hand.
I usually have to travel for 3 nights. I have a brief case that fits under the seat, and have a bag for the overhead compartment.
My only beef is the extra charge is high since they don't have to handle the bag.
It doesn't matter beyond that since I don't fly on that airline.
Sounds like once they started charging for checked luggage folks began schlepping steamer trunks on board. To the extent it disrupts cabin loading more power to Spirit if they want to disincentivize people from carrying on the big stuff.
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