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.
Bring back the Pony Express!
Or avoid flying United!
Next up: charging to use the restrooms.
Are they going to put those bus station bins over head where you put in a coin and pull the key out?
FLY SOUTHWEST WHERE EVERYTHING IS FREE FREE FREE
They need to also charge for use of the toilet, and then a fee for consuming the air contained within the plane. Maybe after that, they can begin charging when people drive or even stay home instead of fly too!
So glad I stopped flying in 2012!!!! I loved it back in the 1970s and then after 2001, simply endured it due to work and tried to avoid getting arrested.
Screw this I always get the lowest fare tickets through Expedia or some other portal, and I have never flown anything but Delta.
I will not fly, if I need to go I drive. If I can’t drive, I stay home. Yep I’m Retired and loving it!!!
Spirit Airlines has been doing this for a while. One carry-on that fits under the seat, something like 18”x12”x10”. It can be done if you’re traveling casual.
Made plans this week both trips are on Southwest. Flew United to Paris for thanksgiving, got back to SFO 1 hour early, sat on runway for 1.5 hours after a 12 hour flight.
Cattle haulers don’t have overhead bins, why should airlines?
Can't do that... too many international travelers connecting to domestic flights without the coinage. Now, the lights and air blowers, on the other hand...
-PJ
Do they still let the passengers use the seats and the engines? Seems like there should be a fee for those, too. And what about the oxygen?
Save for a seat assignment. Moo! Moo! Moo....
So an old FAA crash investigator told me one of the major causes of death from a commercial airplane crash, other than the impact, is when the luggage bins fall onto the passengers, snapping their necks.
They should eliminate carry on baggage.
I always travel light. Carry on/duffel bag and almost never luggage. These clowns lose my luggage anyways and they’re all clothes.
Besides, it’s the airlines fault for allowing idiot passengers and their obviously luggage “bags” and try to pass it on as a carry-on which is a major inconvenience for the rest of us who can stash our small bags in the bin.
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