American Air to charge for all checked luggage

polktiger

Saw this during lunch...
http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/080521/amr.html


This is a bit much $15 if you need to check luggage to help defray fuel costs. Sorry for anyone flying on a plane with me, I will now be taking my 2 alloted carry-on bags instead of 1 suitcase checked. This is short sighted by AA - planes are designed with the expectation that people will not bring 2 limit size carry-on bags, but that is what will be encouraged with this policy.

I know I will be flamed for my proposal, but the issue here is weight if they cost problem really is the fuel. So, lets just price tickets by the pound. Makes sense to me if the logic really is that checked luggage = more weight in plane = more fuel burned in flight. If they are not trying to cut the weight on the plane down, then just increase the price of the ticket and leave out all the nickel and dime crap. Last week I was on US Air, they are going to start charging $5 for those nasty (and generally half frozen) sandwiches they hand out.

bobman1235

Well that's just dumb.

Airline "survival" should have little to do with fuel costs. What percentage of my ticket price goes to fuel? If fuel goes up 100% as it did this past year, then that percentage of my ticket price goes up 100%. This isn't rocket science. Why do they try to make money in sneaky other ways rather than just raising base ticket prices to reflect their costs?

And why, if these companies are in such dire straights, are their CEOs still taking home tens of millions of dollars a year? These are public companies, where is the outrage when shares go down 15% and yet upper management still takes home huge bonuses?

Norm Apter

Yeah, I saw this too. But AA was not the first to do this. In fact, several other major U.S. airlines had already done this for domestic flights as of early April. Before booking your next ticket you should check the airlines' policy. As for carry-ons I wouldn't be surprised if they start monitoring more closely the rule of one-carry on and one so-called "personal item" There are actually are weight and size limits for the carry-on item if you look on web sites. Its just that no one is enforcing it yet. This new policy will encourage passengers to find other ways, and my guess is that it could lead to stricter enforcement of those policies.

bobman1235

Norm Apter wrote: »

Yeah, I saw this too. But AA was not the first to do this. In fact, several other major U.S. airlines had already done this for domestic flights as of early April.

Most other airlines recently started charging for all bags AFTER THE FIRST. You used to be able to check two free of charge and then they would charge for more; now most allow you to check ONE free of charge instead. American is the first I've heard to not allow you to check ANY bags for free.

I'm flying out to Cali for a week in July. On American. Dammit.

Norm Apter

Thanks for pointing that out. I hadn't read the OP carefully; part out of an unwitting disbelief that airlines would go from a policy of charging for a second checked piece to ANY checked item in such a short time. As others said, for convenient's sake, it would be better just to slightly raise the fees than forcee us go through the hassle of having to make another transaction at the airports which are crowded enough these days. I mean, who makes a trip these days without having at least one checked piece?

Anyway, thanks for the heads-up.

steveinaz

Yet another reason why I don't fly anymore.

PhantomOG

On my recent trip to Maui, ATA Airlines charged in flight for pillows. Seriously.

I guess its no surprise that about a week after I got home with went out of business. Just glad I didn't get stranded in Hawaii... wait, no I'm not!

PolkThug

AA is the worst airline I have ever dealt with, they were already off my list.

sucks2beme

Well, if they **** are hauling around MY tool case, they are working for
their $15.
Just what we need, more overhead carry ons. And just about every damn plane I've been
in lately is one of the small ones. The overheads are always jammed. I check everything
but the laptop.

They all will be like a "pink lady" flight. For you guys not flying out of Dallas, that's a
flight full of Mary Kay cosmetics reps. Old ladies with too much makeup, and a whole
lot of sales rally freebie gift bags full of useless crap. That's a flight from hell. I'd
almost prefer a bunch of screaming babies.

bobman1235

Yeah I never carry on anything that won't fit under the seat in front of me. I hate having to fight with the rude and inconsiderate people trying to stuff gigantic bags in the overheads.

Norm Apter

Its just amazing what a drag flying has become over the past couple of years. I remember, back when I was a kid in the 1980s, flying was such an exciting thing and airports were such exciting places. There's just such an air of tenseness at every stage of flying now. I wish I could totally avoid it, but living in SoCal with family on the other coast, its just inescapable.

devani

and cutting back flights after summer ends....brace for packed flights

George Grand

$15 is cheaper than dirt to haul a loaded suitcase from one end of this country to the other.

PhantomOG

George Grand wrote: »

$15 is cheaper than dirt to haul a loaded suitcase from one end of this country to the other.

I agree, however, I wish they would just raise the fares by an appropriate amount instead. This will cause even more people to bring too much carry-on and will only further delay flights as people fight to find overhead space.

They probably know this though. Now people will be willing to pay extra to board first in order to get to the precious overhead compartments.

reeltrouble1

Norm Apter wrote: »

Its just amazing what a drag flying has become over the past couple of years. I remember, back when I was a kid in the 1980s, flying was such an exciting thing and airports were such exciting places. There's just such an air of tenseness at every stage of flying now. I wish I could totally avoid it, but living in SoCal with family on the other coast, its just inescapable.

yep remember those 747's with the lounges in the coach class, one time this flight I was on, the plane was late taking off and the Captain gave everyone all the booze they could drink to make up for it, well those days are gone, but fun to reminence.

PhantomOG

I don't miss the smoking though

reeltrouble1

yea, I used to smoke back then, I am sure it aggravated alot of folks and made some of them sick, never really thought about it much back then.

I remember the airline would give you decks of cards, chess sets, oh well, that water went under the bridge long ago.

sucks2beme

George Grand wrote: »

$15 is cheaper than dirt to haul a loaded suitcase from one end of this country to the other.

\

The problem isn't that. I'm checking the same bags as always.
It's all the a-h***s that are gonna carry everything on the plane.
We 'll have to wait at security for them as they realize that all
their hair products and crap are too big to go through the checkpoint.
I check everything but the laptop bag, shove my keys ,change
watch and belt in the bag PRIOR to going through the xray.
Those other guys look like a deer in the headlights.
How about a expess security checkpoint for people that aren't idiots?
Last month, security stopped me at the gate while waiting for the plane to search
my stuff again. Part of some random check. Went past some guy in a turban and beard to
search the middle aged white guy with a laptop. You know I certainly fit
the standard profile for a crazed terrorist.

zingo

You want a real world weight=fuel cost solution, tickets by total weight. You stand on a scale with your bags, and they price your ticket using the total weight. Some people would complain that it's a "tax on the big", but I'm 6'3'' and I know that it takes more fuel to move me than my Fiance.

steveinaz

1. Prices went up
2. Seats got smaller
3. Prices went up
4. Sit on runway for 4 hrs with no food or drink
5. Prices went up some more
6. Charge extra for 2nd bag
7. Prices went up
8. You must pay for your meal now
9. Prices still going up
10. Now your primary checked bag cost money
11. Price going up

I don't know about you, but I only need a safe to fall on my head like 3 times before I get the point....I'm done with f***** airlines, unless I have an emergency where I've got to be somewhere quick, it's drive city baby. Screw these a-holes.

polktiger

zingo wrote: »

You want a real world weight=fuel cost solution, tickets by total weight. You stand on a scale with your bags, and they price your ticket using the total weight. Some people would complain that it's a "tax on the big", but I'm 6'3'' and I know that it takes more fuel to move me than my Fiance.

This was kind of my gripe from the original post. In the past, I would check everything. I would have one suitcase weighing about 40 lbs if I am gone for at least a week, and walk on the plane with my phone, my wallet and a book. I weigh about 165 lbs. So my fuel cost relates to 205 lbs, and my ticket costs standard fare plus $15 for the checked bag. Meanwhile, I get to sit next to a guy weighing 275 with a bag over head and a bag under the seat. The guy can fit just in his seat, he needs the arm rest up and actually uses part of my seat. This guys fuel relates to 325lbs and more than one seat, but since he has not checked bag, he flies cheaper than me!

If they need more money due to fuel. Put a scale a check in and charge us by the pound. Otherwise, just raise the price of the ticket and quit trying to nickel and dime things.

steveinaz: I feel the same way. At one time, flying was enjoyable. It is now a nuisance, and I now consider flying to be a last resort way of traveling. I will go Amtrak before I fly now.

audiobliss

steveinaz wrote: »

1. Prices went up
2. Seats got smaller
3. Prices went up
4. Sit on runway for 4 hrs with no food or drink
5. Prices went up some more
6. Charge extra for 2nd bag
7. Prices went up
8. You must pay for your meal now
9. Prices still going up
10. Now your primary checked bag cost money
11. Price going up

I don't know about you, but I only need a safe to fall on my head like 3 times before I get the point....I'm done with f***** airlines, unless I have an emergency where I've got to be somewhere quick, it's drive city baby. Screw these a-holes.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! That's hilarious! Great way to put it, Steve.

steveinaz

Seriously, that business model reads: "How to get rid of your customer base, quickly." Where do they get these moron's? Pink-slipped Sony CEO's?

"Ok men, here's how were gonna turn this airline around:

#1. Provide less service
#2. Make flying more inconvenient
#3. Piss customer's off by making the seats smaller and the food expensive
#4. Increase the prices"

Yeah, that'll work ya ****-sticks.

It's like the Direct TV commercial about cable, hilarious. "Sir, we can improve our service by improving the price, ya know, make it more expensive." LOL

sbpolk

steveinaz wrote: »

Seriously, that business model reads: "How to get rid of your customer base, quickly." Where do they get these moron's? Pink-slipped Sony CEO's?...

I think that is "Pink-Slipped Circuit City CEOs."

No more American, Delta, United, NWA for me. The list continues to get shorter. I enjoy JetBlue and Frontier still. And occasionally Southwest!

shack

If you can't afford the $10 or $15 per piece of luggage to fly...maybe you have no business flying. Drive, take a train, the bus...or just don't go.

sbpolk

shack wrote: »

If you can't afford the $10 or $15 per piece of luggage to fly...maybe you have no business flying. Drive, take a train, the bus...or just don't go.

Really? On this I have to disagree. I can afford $15. I can afford $1500. $15 or $1500, it is a new thing to charge for all baggage. Until the day comes that ALL airlines charge for baggage, I will CHOSE not to pay the $15.

Because I fly mostly for work, the charge is on the G. Regardless, I chose not pay it on principle.

SKsolutions

The shoe thing bothers me, I don't know why. From one ill planned and impotent attempt, a billion feet need to be smelt.

bobman1235

SKsolutions wrote: »

The shoe thing bothers me, I don't know why.

It perfectly highlights the ineptitude and futility of "airline security", that's why. Just like the 3oz of liquid thing. They might as well hold up a huge sign that says "we have no idea what we're doing."

George Grand

I'm hearing a lot of ****. Yes, the answer IS to have a scale for YOU and YOUR baggage. How long do you think the most overweight country in the world is gonna sign on for that? THERE is the problem. Somebody wants to charge me an extra $1 for a pack of smokes? I'm paying that **** right? Because somewhere down the line (the story goes) I'm going to cost my countrymen a couple extra bucks.

If the shoe fits ............

steveinaz

shack wrote: »

If you can't afford the $10 or $15 per piece of luggage to fly...maybe you have no business flying. Drive, take a train, the bus...or just don't go.

So you just sit back and accept it? Nah, not me--I'll drive, far more enjoyable anyway.

It's not a question of wether you can afford it, it's a question of wether you should. I don't like someone pissin down my back, and telling me that it's raining.

shack

Give me a break guys....just because we have had years and years of low cost airfares doesn't mean it is our RIGHT. Anybody notice that MANY these carriers are going bankrupt? Check out the price of a plane, fuel, labor, etc, etc,. They are not going down and in fact are increasing at a rate far greater that the cost of an airline ticket. I fly because it is convienient and have no problem paying for that convienice. Not too long ago I paid more for a cab ride across town than I did for the airline ticket to get there. This particular airline offers no frills, limited destinations, pay for everthing other than the ticket. Their flights are always full and they may survive...even if they have to raise their prices some. The ones that survive will be the ones that can provide the service and make a profit doing so.

I also have no problem in unbundling the services and pay as you go. Set the airfare and charge me for a carry-on (over and above something like a purse, camera bag, laptop bag etc,) and each piece of luggage. Then I can decide exactly what I want to take with me. Why should I have to pay as much as a guy with a 50lb suitcase when all I have is a briefcase?

As stated in other threads...the days of cheap transportation are gone...until we get off of the oil ****. If you want...need...to travel by air there will be costs or the availabilty of the option will disappear altogether for the masses. Better to pay more and have it available than to not have it at all.