Airline Greed
Airlines are charging for the wrong bags
FAIRFAX, VA. - Flying with luggage this summer? It's going to cost you. Last week, United Airlines and US Airways joined American Airlines in charging for even one checked bag. Additional bags cost more.
"With record-breaking fuel prices, we must pursue new revenue opportunities while continuing to offer competitive fares, by tailoring our products and services around what our customers value most and are willing to pay for," a United official explained.
On the surface, that seems like a reasonable rationale and business strategy. But anyone who flies regularly knows what a disaster this will be.
Many passengers will simply avoid the fees by stuffing more and more of their belongings into the cabin. With overhead compartment and seat space already scarce, this policy could turn many flight boardings into a running of the bulls.
The new fees are also bad PR at a time of economic uncertainty. In most cases, they won't even apply to laptop-toting business travelers and first-class patrons. Instead, they'll end up being a heavy tax on families and other economy-class travelers.
It doesn't have to be this way. Instead of charging for checked bags, airlines could probably raise more revenue and improve the quality of the flight experience by doing just the opposite: charging for carry-on luggage.
Under this arrangement, flyers determined to keep their bags within arm's reach can pay a premium to do so. And those who want to save money can do so by checking bags free of charge.
Such price incentives would shorten security lines, bring order to boarding, and help bring out the humanity in all of us at airports. Imagine: Even late boarders (who are willing to pay) could find space in an overhead compartment – perhaps even the one above their own seat.
As things stand now, though, airline policies are about to exacerbate space problems in the cabin.
Passengers are limited to one carry-on bag and one "personal item," but these items seem to be getting bigger all the time. And passengers either can't or won't fit their bulging bags beneath the seat – which means the overhead bins become a major battle-ground.
In this war for space, waiting for your seating area to be called is a sure way to lose.
I should know. I wait my turn to board – only to find the overhead bins already stuffed. That means a flight attendant has to find a place for my bag somewhere else in the cabin, or check it for delivery just as I exit the aircraft, which can often take an amazingly long time.
Airlines know that people prefer to bring their bags on board because they want to avoid the time and hassle needed to collect them at baggage claim and the risk that they'll be lost.
Charging to check bags, then, is foolish because it is an attempt to get passengers to pay for something that they don't want to do anyway – and will seek to avoid by trying to bring more of their baggage on board.
That's why charging for bringing luggage on board makes good sense. Those who are adept at barging their way first onto the plane will complain loudly if the airlines initiate this proposal.
The rest of us, though, will take great comfort in knowing that they have to pay extra when they stuff the overhead compartments with their oversize luggage.
Mark N. Katz is a professor of government and politics at George Mason University and an all-too-frequent flyer.
Comments
When decency was common and commonsense was the norm, when you booked a ticket to fly any airline, it was reasonably expected that you would have some luggage with you for your personal needs, some of it to be checked and some to be carried on board, and also that you would need food and refreshment during your confinement in the air. Now, however, all norms of commonsense seem to be flying out of the window. If we're going to pay for checked bags, that's a cargo issue, so why not let people just send only their bags for $15 or whatever?
What an idiot, many if not most frequent travelers MUST carry-on electronics not insured if checked. This isn’t optional and should not invite cost. Carry-on sizes are well restricted and manageable. If everyone carried the restricted carry-on there would be no stress on the system as it is. It’s the idiot who does cram excess into a carry-on that doesn’t fit that slows us down.
I find this idea absurd. Unless I am going somewhere for an extended period of time, I only pack enough to fit in my carry-on, which is sized for international carry-on limits which is smaller than US domestic limits. Why should I be charged for packing light, while people that I see checking 50 lb suitcases for weekend trips get off free? All that extra weight means more fuel usage for the plane which means more expensive operating costs which get passed on to us the consumer. You won't see me waiting on long lines for check-in since I can use the self-service kiosks. You won't see me sitting around waiting for bags to arrive at the claim, I'll be gone already. It's the checked baggage that runs up the cost top the airline- more fuel, check-in counters equipment and employees, baggage handlers, equipment used for loading/unloading, bag claim tracks, etc. It costs the airlines considerably less to fly me than it does those of you that need to check bags because you can't pack sensibly. And the people that bring over-sized bags on the plane or more items than specified should be penalized too.
I find this idea absurd. Unless I am going somewhere for an extended period of time, I only pack enough to fit in my carry-on, which is sized for international carry-on limits which is smaller than US domestic limits. Why should I be charged for packing light, while people that I see checking 50 lb suitcases for weekend trips get off free? All that extra weight means more fuel usage for the plane which means more expensive operating costs which get passed on to us the consumer. You won't see me waiting on long lines for check-in since I can use the self-service kiosks. You won't see me sitting around waiting for bags to arrive at the claim, I'll be gone already. It's the checked baggage that runs up the cost top the airline- more fuel, check-in counters equipment and employees, baggage handlers, equipment used for loading/unloading, bag claim tracks, etc. It costs the airlines considerably less to fly me than it does those of you that need to check bags because you can't pack sensibly. And the people that bring over-sized bags on the plane or more items than specified should be penalized too.
E X A C T L Y!!!
PLEASE MAKE SUGGESTION TO
ALL THE OFFENDING AIRLINES
THANKS
I am a travel consultant and I do a lot of traveling.
I too had this same thought the moment the first airline announced
they were going to charge for the first checked bag.
If they were to charge for carry on it would save EVERYONE so much
grief in every respect....
And maybe, just maybe, more planes would take off on time, what a novel concept!
This idea is wonderful! It works for me. I never take carry-on as there is never any space! And if you are in the back of the plane, by the time everyone takes off their overhead bags. you have an additional 10-15 minutes before you can exit! But there is one thing you failed to mention. How often do we see passengers expect the flight attendants to put their bags up above! Why should they be expected to lift extra heavy bags now? They ought to charge for having attendants do that! I never put up someone's bag because I don't want to throw my back out trying to lift a 30-40 pound bag over my shoulder and then try to jam it in!
It will be a boon not only to passengers but also for ground crews and security personnel if Airlines charged for any hand luggage exceeding the size of a Pilots Official Bag. Charges could be tapered to get higher and higher as the weight or cubic meaurement goes up.
Clearance of passengers boarding flights would be speeded up and most beneficial of all - the disembarking which can be torturous, whilst waiting for passengers to remove their luggage from the luggage cabin or below the seat, would be hastened bringing all round efficiency in the disemarking process.
This however does not exempt the Airlines from informing the passenger of the total cumulative fare to a destination instead of splitting the charges into a huge confusing mathematical drama.
A great idea! Wonder if the airline executives will take notice?
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