USVI-On-Line

Just heard on the news this morning that Northwest plans to charge $15 for the first bag (they already charge $25 for a second bag, I think). I'm not sure when it will be. It looks like August 28 according to one article that I've read.

They're also going to charge $25 to book frequent-flyer tickets.

I know that this doesn't really affect us traveling to STT because they don't go there, but many of us take code-shares to get there, so some of us may travel on NWA at some point. They are also merging with Delta, so I'm guessing they'll be next to implement this policy.

I just don't get why the airlines are nickel-and-diming us so much. I really need to book my flight before they start charging for bathroom breaks or something!

Lulu76 wrote:I know that this doesn't really affect us traveling to STT because they don't go there, but many of us take code-shares to get there, so some of us may travel on NWA at some point.

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Actually NWA will fly DTW-STT non-stop again Saturdays from January 10 - April 25 next year. The return flight to DTW stops in SJU, but is direct.

I think NWA has had seasonal service to STT on Saturdays for the past couple of years.

I knew that. I was going to fly with them when I still lived in Detroit. I forgot, because NO ONE flies anywhere direct from Nashville. Or at least anywhere good. I can go home on Southwest from here.

So, yes, Northworst is next to start charging for bags. And apparently they are starting their DTW to STT flight back up next year.

"I just don't get why the airlines are nickel-and-diming us so much"

Not to be argumentative, but you must know that they are wallowing in debt and their cost of fuel isn't helping. I am quite confident it will get worse before it gets better. Remember when we had federal regulation, and higher prices? Maybe this was not such a bad thing. And by the way I usually detest any federal regulation into private enterprise.

I know the airlines all seem to always operate at a loss. But as someone else pointed out here, maybe they should've made the most of that big government bailout that they got a few years ago. (Allegedly that was for the TSA's increased security, yet ironically every ticket I buy has a fee to the TSA on it.)

I don't know the ins and outs of government regulation or the airline industry. I just know that it seems like they are always crying about how poor they are and finding new ways to squeeze the passengers. I don't know if that's so the federal government will write them another big check or if it's legitimate.

A lot of industries in this country seem to be whining about how little money they are making these days, but their top executives are still taking home more money in a year than I will make in my lifetime. I don't know if that's for sure what's happening here, but that's a lot different than me trying to scrape together money for my outrageous plane ticket when my work has cut my hours...