Where I get really annoyed is that ski bags and other odd-sized objects are now being charged....not cool.
It would be better to simply raise ticket prices than to tack on these ludicrous fees.
If McDonalds started charging for napkins and ketchup, the media would be all over it.
Word is AA is going to start charging ($60) to gate check oversize bags.
Well as a customer service agent, I don't think it is cool trying to check in a ski bag and or gulf club that are stuffed full with clothes and other objects. With the frickin thing weighs over 50 pounds.
I too thought this and talked directly with our ex-CEO about this very issue. Mr. Kellner said that extensive research had been conducted with interesting results. It seems that when John Q. Public is presented with the option of buying a ticket on Brand X for $100 with $35 bag fees, or Brand Y for $125 with no bag fees, the consumer will choose the lower fare most of the time despite the final price being higher. If defies logic but it is what it is. The bottom line is that airlines need to create revenue to run the operation - the question comes down to how to do this. For those who pack light and don't take 2 or 3 bags, they don't end up subsidizing the fare of those who choose to take 2 or 3 bags. I personally would prefer simpler fare structures, but as long as the flying public continues to employ nonsensical thinking when purchasing their travel, things will unfortunately stay much the same.
If you'll have your people stop throwing my golf bag around on the ramp, I won't have to stuff clothes in the rain cover to keep the clubs from breaking.
They aren't replaceable.
-mini
What's interesting is when the airlines raise their fares, it hits the evening news broadcast and people hem and haw like Taylor Swift made a sex tape with Biz Markie.
However, when McDonalds raises their prices, it doesn't even pique the media's interest.
The bottom line is that the baggage fees are working and customers are paying them. I'm afraid we are stuck with them. The airlines will keep raising the baggage fees as long as people keep paying them.
Unfortunately, I also believe Southwest will also have to start charging for bags just because everyone else is doing. They can't leave money on the table and have a competitive disadvantage.
Score one for the airlines on this one. It's not going away.
Everyone loves to hate the airlines. Its probably the second most common topic in idle conversation now, with "the weather" being number 1. "So....XYZ Airlines lost my bag, we sat on the runway for 8 hours, etc etcetc
Everyone loves to hate the airlines. Its probably the second most common topic in idle conversation now, with "the weather" being number 1. "So....XYZ Airlines lost my bag, we sat on the runway for 8 hours, etc etcetc