Posted on 12/06/2016 1:14:37 PM PST by T-Bird45
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) - The coveted carry-on bag. Not checking your bag has its perks--avoid waiting around at baggage claim at the end of your flight, or worrying about losing it, and it's cheaper.
Or, at least, it used to be.
United Airlines just announced a new ticket option called "Basic Economy," banning the use of overhead bins for luggage.
So now you're stuck with either paying for a checked bag, or paying for a more expensive ticket to bring it on the flight with you.
According to a release from U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer's office, United expects the plan to raise $1 billion for the company by 2020. Other airlines are waiting to see if this policy sticks before implementing it themselves.
Schumer (D-New York) says this proposed fare increase is one of the most restrictive policies airline passengers have seen in a long time.
"The overhead bin is one of the last sacred conveniences of air travel and the fact that United Airlines - and potentially others - plan to take that convenience away unless you pay up is really troubling," said Schumer. "Already, airlines charge extra for checked luggage, pillows, peanuts and headphones and now you'll have nowhere to store them. United Airlines should reverse this plan and allow the free use of heh overhead bin for all."
The new "Basic Economy" ticket would only allow travelers to bring one small item on board - 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches - and could only store them below the seat in front of them and pay for checked bags.
While other airlines have a restrictive "Basic Economy" ticket option, none restrict the use of the overhead bins. Some do, however, restrict your ability to choose your seat.
United's "Basic Economy" tickets will also automatically assign seats at check-in and not guarantee that travelers on the same reservation will be seated together, similar to Delta's "Basic Economy" fare. Delta's ticket limits seat assignments, giving seat assignments after check-in. Both options could separate family members until the FAA creates a policy to allow children to sit with a family member at no extra cost.
Schumer says the loss of the overhead bin use is a lose-lose for fliers and could change the policy of free use of the overhead bins for all airlines.
They stopped serving food and drinks, and now you can’t even get a cup of water, you have to buy a bottled water from them.
Oh, come on now, quit complaining. After all, United is now featuring some amazing entertainment - you just never know when the landing gear will go out. Next, maybe an engine will catch fire, or a wing fall off...but the entertainment isn’t for free, folks. Suck it up. :>)
I have always thought that the airlines waste more time trying to get passengers to put away their carry on bags. I would think that if they refunded passengers $25 if they did not have any carry on bags when they boarded, it would help.
Last flew commercial in 1999.
I don’t mind airlines charging for overhead bins if they’d make it free to check one small suitcase. The overhead bins are what jams everything up boarding and deplaning.
There’s an innovation opportunity here. Design an “overcoat” with big inside pockets for shirts, socks, underwear, toiletries. Might look a little odd in the summertime, but what a money saver if you fly United.
It’s more things to police, however — and a slower boarding. Even if they verify that you just bring in the briefcase, they have to police that you did not chuck it in the bin. All so that they can brag about a base rate that maybe almost nobody will use.
Things may become looser again under Donald Trump.
“Or avoid flying United!”
That isn’t really possible for me but I will if I can if this policy is in place.
The real issue with it is that they don’t make the restriction clear. People will show up with a bag. Several European airlines do this.
Maybe they should try and sell service?
they raise the baggage fees to charge for the second back
so people carried less and the second bag became a carry on.
This was inevitable.
so now they are trying to fix the problem they created.
How about the public regulate the size of seating space until they fix this issue .
Illegal in some states.............
“We are now in Tennessee Airspace. Restrooms are now open for free. But you have only 10 minutes until we are in Georgia airspace. Cost restrictions will apply. Thank You for flying United!”................
FUCS! None o’ your damned business.
Who? United?
Tell me when United stopped serving food and drinks.
The only thing left, really, is speed. When you absolutely need to get there sooner than you can get there any other way.
The last flight I had that I actually enjoyed was on Pan Am.
Ryanair in Europe tried to do that, they were the leaders in charging for everything. United is trying to be like Ryanair.
I fly on the airlines only when i have no other viable option, this from a guy who flew for the airlines.
That would be nice. I only need one carry-on + a computer bag I store under the seat. If I could simply check-in my carry-on which is never over 20 lbs. for free that would work. And yes, the plane would load/unload much quicker if people aren't struggling to find space for their carry on.
Landing gear collapse, San Antonio airport, 12/4
Exactly. I may not like what United is doing, but it’s none of the government’s damned business.
I’ve got nearly 2M air miles under my large Polish-American a$$. I retired 6 years ago. I could not do that travel today between the airlines, traffic to the airport and the general lack of civility on flights.
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