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.
I just did that in July. Packed for flying and would have flown. It was like driving without the convenience of leaving when I wanted and stopping when I wished. At least I didn’t have to stay awake the whole time.
Did anybody even read the article? It’s for their cheapest base fare! If you don’t want their cheapest, no frills base fare, buy a regular coach seat ticket. This is a great option for people who don’t have a need to use the oversize bin. It also keeps people from taking forever at the end of boarding to find bin space.
No one is forcing you to be cheap, buy the upgrade or don’t complain. If people would take a minute to read the Contract of Carriage or basic fare rules, there wouldn’t be so much crying. You all sound like a bunch of wimpy millennial snowflakes—GROW UP!!
It’s one of the nice things about Europe, I would rather take a train than fly, it’s so much more convenient. Even though now they are starting to make their security checks more like the airlines, especially if you take the Eurostar.
“Or avoid flying United!”
No kidding! When I traveled on business, I used United exclusively, but over the intervening years they have turned to $hit as a company. It all went downhill after Ferris left as CEO.
I have flown UA several times in recent years since they took over Continental and Houston was a Continental hub. I never use the overhead bin and prefer to check my bag. I always pay for my tickets with a Chase UA Mileage Explorer card and have never even had to pay for the checked bag. If I paid any other way I’d be charged.
Unless airlines make basic coach as uncomfortable and inconvenient as they can they how can they justify charging higher fairs for marginally better service?
“Next up: charging to use the restrooms.”
And let’s not leave out “flying nude!” They need to conserve fuel or use the additional “capacity” to carry more freight. If there ever was a service business that honed “$hitting on their customers” to a fine edge, it’s the airlines. The combination of $hit airlines and the TSA drove us away from air travel probably 15 years ago.
I am glad they are doing this. Too many folks want to skip the baggage fee yet the shit they carry on....they can’t carry. Then it takes forever to find room. Other folks, they just take their bags to the gate knowing damn well they won’t fit on the plane. Pay the baggage fee
That’s a hoot!
I once saw a comedian do a bit about airline crashes. With respect to the cabin attendant telling the passengers to “remove all objects from their pockets” prior to a crash landing he said “what’s the death certificate going to say, that you died from the #2 pencil in your breast pocket?”
People who want the overhead space will pay for it, the rest will just check their bags and save themselves a lot of aggravation.
It's much more civilized to fly without lugging baggage on the plane.
I used to call them “baggage snipers!” They are they guys who are flying coach and board early so they can stow their stuff in the OH bins in First Class on their way through the cabin. Usually, the attendants are busy and don’t see them do it.
And Untied Airlines continues to make a mockery of itself.
And that “cheapest base fare” is the one that draws into considering UA until you determine you need/want more than a seat to sit in and air to breathe. The UA cash register begins to ring as you select your a la carte options. You are, of course, correct in your comment but just how many would actually read a Contract of Carriage?
It’s only a matter of time until cattle prods are issued to flight attendants.
I agree. I fly Southwest when I can, and check my bag. No worries about whether there will be enough space, or dislocating my shoulder or hitting myself or someone else in the head getting it out of the overhead.
Baggage claim is usually near the transportation area, where I am going after my flight anyway, and it never takes more than a few minutes for the bags to come out.
Another reason to fly SW if you can and avoid this bs.
I’ve been to a few airports that do that.
Been coming for a while. Almost everyone getting on a flight today brings a max-sized (if not over) carry-on bag with them. There’s not enough space in the overhead bins for everyone to do that. Planes have a cargo hold for a reason. I’m sick of waiting forever to get seated on a plane while somebody searches for an overhead bin that isn’t already full. Meanwhile there isn’t even enough room left in the overhead bin above MY seat to put a jacket.
Yeah, including the in-flight brawls in the aisles!
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