American to charge for 1st checked bag

[jmq]

I wonder if this will stick or spread. Who knows as we head towards $150/barrel oil.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080521/ap_ ... reductions

Also note capacity reductions. May not bode well for travel to VIs as they are top carrier to Caribbean.

[SusanNJ]

Wow, if this does go through then you know the other airlines will follow suit. What a shame.

[Teresa_Rae]

Now we can look forward to people fighting over overhead space even more!

[RickG]

I love the idea of having everything a la carte. Charge by weight and volume!

Cheers, RickG

[liamsaunt]

It would be nice, since they are instituting this fee, if in an effort to maximixe their revenue they could work out a way to make people actually conform to the current carry on restrictions. It's not fair that some people bring huge bags on board and then there's not enough room for everyone's things.

I'd also be interested in knowing what they plan to do if the paid for checked bag is lost or delayed. Will there be a refund of this charge?

[California Girl]

Its proposed fee for a first checked bag would exempt people who belong to elite levels of its frequent flyer programs, those who bought full-fare tickets and those traveling overseas.

So who does that leave? What's the difference between a full-fare ticket and any other ticket? I'm not being bitchy...I really don't know!

The changes were being made to adapt to "the current reality of slow economic growth and high oil prices," Arpey said.

...and what do you want to bet if oil prices come down (not likely!) and economic growth speeds up, the airlines won't revert to their old ways, but continue to rake in the revenue from these extra charges.

I'm with Teresa on this one....there goes the overhead space!

[California Girl]

I'd also be interested in knowing what they plan to do if the paid for checked bag is lost or delayed. Will there be a refund of this charge?

Ha! Good one Becky!

[CariBert]

Well, maybe they'll start offering pillows again to ease our pain............NOT!

Dam




-Bert

[Pia]

And just think how much more time check in will take with you having to pay for your bags, I assume payment will be made via credit card - I know you can already pre pay on some airlines that are currently charging but not everyone knows for sure how many bags they will be taking until last minute and of course there will always be the passengers that fly once every 10 years and aren't "up to date" on the rules - you know the ones that still don't know you can't carry a bottle of rum or a knife on board

Heaven help us when the computers go down at the STT airport and they have to start taking those payments by writing them out - better start planning a 5 hour window

Pia

[jimg20]

Its proposed fee for a first checked bag would exempt people who belong to elite levels of its frequent flyer programs, those who bought full-fare tickets and those traveling overseas.

So who does that leave? What's the difference between a full-fare ticket and any other ticket? I'm not being bitchy...I really don't know!

A full fare in coach is one with the fare codes starting with "Y". It may also include "B" fares. The most common discounted fares include "Q" and "K" fares.

JIM

[California Girl]

Thanks for clearing that up for me Jim!

[RickG]

There is an easy solution:

- Your bag does not conform to our carryon restrictions - go the the BACK OF THE LINE and pay to have your bags checked! We'd be happy to sell you this tape measure for a special price of $$$.

- Your bag does not fit in the overhead bin, wheels first. You need to exit the plane, go to the BACK OF THE LINE and purchase a ticket for the next available flight and pay for a checked bag.

- You are larger than the seat you purchased, you need to go to the BACK OF THE LINE and buy 2 adjoining seats.

This is a tragedy of the commons scenario: everyone is encouraged to consume as much of the shared resource as possible with no repercussions. I say, put those repercussion in place! A contract for carriage has two sides, enforce them both.

Cheers, RickG

[promoguy]

There is an easy solution:

- Your bag does not conform to our carryon restrictions - go the the BACK OF THE LINE and pay to have your bags checked! We'd be happy to sell you this tape measure for a special price of $$$.

- Your bag does not fit in the overhead bin, wheels first. You need to exit the plane, go to the BACK OF THE LINE and purchase a ticket for the next available flight and pay for a checked bag.

- You are larger than the seat you purchased, you need to go to the BACK OF THE LINE and buy 2 adjoining seats.

This is a tragedy of the commons scenario: everyone is encouraged to consume as much of the shared resource as possible with no repercussions. I say, put those repercussion in place! A contract for carriage has two sides, enforce them both.

Cheers, RickG

RickG, you sound like a business guy. Yep, good idea.

[nascarfan59]

Since the added weight of extra luggage uses more fuel, why don't they charge for the total amount of wieght you are bringing on the plane. That is, yourself, luggage, carry on, etc.

How is it called "carry on" if it is being wheeled down the aisle?

Just my 2 cents.

[islandgirl]

grrrrrrr with all this b.s. with the airlines and tsa we are thinking of doing a private charter flight. only kidding wonder if the airfares get so high that no one can afford it anymore..that what scares me. doing without stj..no way. now is the time to book for next year before the price gets so crazy.