Delta to start charging for FIRST checked bag

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 7:35 pm

And I WAS in a good mood....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27557945/

loria · Post by **loria** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 7:37 pm

pretty soon they will start to charge for carry on......

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 7:51 pm

I am paying almost $600 for my damn seat, this is getting a little crazy.
I will do carry on only and pack my own food for the flight. Maybe I should bring my own flotation device?

waterguy · Post by **waterguy** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 8:19 pm

And fuel prices are coming down

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 9:44 am

They had said over the summer when everyone else did it that they were waiting for the Northwest merger to go through.

I just wish other airlines would follow American's lead and not charge for my duty-free booze box. I can do carry-on only to STJ no problem, I just do not have the ability to carry liquor on the plane, through no fault of my own.

Gromit · Post by **Gromit** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:21 am

My problem is this... it essentially penalizes retroactively. Doesn't matter when you bought your ticket, you're going to be subject to the rule anyway. It's especially unfair to someone checking 2 bags who already bought a ticket and will be flying after Dec 5.

Under the current rule, the first bag is free and the second bag is $50. BUT now they are going to charge $15 for the first bag and $25 for the second bag-- which totals on $40. and on THIS issue they are saying that they wil honor the agreement and you'll be allowed 1 bag free, but in fact you're actually PAYING more IF you check 2 bags. But if you're flying after the 5th all bets are off.

I'm also a little pissed because I purposefully factored in the extra bag charges (knowing what I check) into the cost of my ticket for cost comparison purposes. But now they've essentially violated the contract of carriage.

Now they are eliminating the fuel surcharges etc and getting rid of or lowering fees for soem other services and those cashing in FF miles.

But I think that's a joke because we all know that tehse options are dwindling and I don't think it's goign to get any better now that NorthWORST is in the picture.

So, what can we do about it? ZIP. I'll have to suck it up and pay the extra $15. MotherF$#%@*!

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:28 am

Well, they've eliminated one of the competitors already with the Northwest merger. Unfortunately, as more and more companies gobble up their competition, they'll be less and less incentive to provide fair prices.

I think I would call and say something. Actually, say what you said here. I'm not sure if it'll do you any good, but it can't hurt to try. There are plenty of flying options out of Northern Virginia, so you can take your business elsewhere. Maybe not for this trip, but next time. That's the nice thing about big cities!

AlabamaSusana · Post by **AlabamaSusana** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:53 am

The WORST part is the LONG lines for getting baggage tags and paying for bags. In large airports, this will add at least 45 minutes to an hour to your check-in time. It negates the value of the check-in kiosks.

We traveled from Phoenix recently with carry-on only. After we got our boarding passes at the kiosk, the attendant told us to go to that line over there for our baggage tags. Thankfully, we could say, "carry-on" only and go to the gate. Of course, the TSA lines are longer now too with so much more carry-on luggage.

I have been patient with the "nickle and dime" attitude and will willingly pay what it takes to keep convenient air travel as an option, BUT paying everytime I turn around AND being INCONVENIENCED is really irritating me.

StJohnMike · Post by **StJohnMike** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 10:34 pm

I paid $747 freaking dollars on Delta back in June to fly from Minneapolis back when a second checked bag was only $25 and when it went up to $50 I was grandfathered in because I bought my ticket in June. But now, it's gone up to $50 for everyone apparently, and I'm rethinking bringing a second checked bag at all. I'd like to, to bring home all the stuff I want to buy but the baggage fee will likely cost as much as, if not more than the merchandise.
Whew, it feels good to rant, good thing I'll be on island in 17 days.

Rob7 · Post by **Rob7** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:32 pm

Get use to it folks...the next thing just around the corner is very strict rules for carry-on. Size and weight restrictions are coming because of people trying to carry-on, check baggage size items.

California Girl · Post by **California Girl** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:37 pm

Rob7 - Is this just a guess on your part, or do you have some "inside" information?

Lulu76 · Post by **Lulu76** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:50 pm

I'm pretty sure they're going to make me check my carry-on tomorrow. It's within the size and weight limit, but I just have a feeling... Even without using the front pockets they poof out a bit, making it look fuller than it is.

My co-worker told me that when they flew recently, the lady at check-in measured and weighed her carry-ons.

canucknyc · Post by **canucknyc** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:51 pm

Continental has already reduced the size of allowable carry-on. Boooooo.

Rob7 · Post by **Rob7** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:44 pm

California Girl wrote:Rob7 - Is this just a guess on your part, or do you have some "inside" information?

If I don't know what I am talking about, I should be fired

Pianogrl · Post by **Pianogrl** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 3:13 pm

Flying now-a-days is nothing more than a "bus with wings".....what a pain they are making it on so many levels!

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