Airline to charge for carry-on bags

[LadyBlue]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/04/06/spirit.carryon.fees/index.html?hpt=T2

(CNN) -- With many airlines now charging a fee for checked luggage, the next step had to come sometime: A carrier asking passengers to pay for the privilege of bringing carry-on bags on board.

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

I''ve seen people bring massive amounts of carry on items with them so in some instances I think this is a good call. For most of us though? I think I''d rather they just bump my ticket price up by $20-$50 instead of trying to lure me in with a hugely discounted fare only to slap me with an at-gate charge like this.

Spirit''s business class is actually not much more expensive than their economy class, just FYI.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Date: 4/6/2010 2:41:44 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
I''ve seen people bring massive amounts of carry on items with them so in some instances I think this is a good call. For most of us though? I think I''d rather they just bump my ticket price up by $20-$50 instead of trying to lure me in with a hugely discounted fare only to slap me with an at-gate charge like this.


Spirit''s business class is actually not much more expensive than their economy class, just FYI.

Big ditto. Other than my recent trip where I had a backpacking bag as a carry-on, I usually only have my laptop bag and purse. I''d be pretty pissed if I had to pay a carry-on charge for those.

I really wish someone would get a teleportation machine set up so we can stop with this flying nonsense

 

[zoebartlett]

I knew it was only a matter of time before this happened.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Date: 4/6/2010 2:41:44 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
I've seen people bring massive amounts of carry on items with them so in some instances I think this is a good call. For most of us though? I think I'd rather they just bump my ticket price up by $20-$50 instead of trying to lure me in with a hugely discounted fare only to slap me with an at-gate charge like this.

THIS!

I was once fiercely loyal to 1-2 airlines and always tried to book a rock-bottom fare. Now, it's about what works with my schedule and avoiding ridiculous fees

 

[kenny]

What''s next, charging us extra for wearing clothes?

 

[susimoo]

Date: 4/6/2010 4:26:06 PM
Author: kenny
What''s next, charging us extra for wearing clothes?

No, what is next is US being asked to step on the scales. We will pay according to our weight and that of our luggage!

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 4/6/2010 5:06:17 PM
Author: susimoo

Date: 4/6/2010 4:26:06 PM
Author: kenny
What''s next, charging us extra for wearing clothes?

No, what is next is US being asked to step on the scales. We will pay according to our weight and that of our luggage!

Seriously. They are going to cut holes on the bottom of the plane and make all the passengers race the plane down the runway, Fred Flintstone style.

 

[karpouzi]

I don't mind the a la carte model as long as base fares stay low. If base fares are truly low and the baggage fees are optional extras, that opens travel to more people, which is a good thing IMO. Those who are on a budget can just pack light.

I think where this is heading though is that all these a la carte fees will become more common AND base fares will go up, and it'll just be a mess.

 

[PumpkinPie]

It was bound to happen

 

[IdLikeToBuyAVal]

I''m thinking FI and I need to get pilot''s licenses and win the lottery so we can buy a plane lol!

Flying is such a ridiculous hassle.

 

[miraclesrule]

I was recently on a business trip and flew AA where you have to pay $25 for your checked luggage. I carry a purse and a somewhat largish bag that fits a laptop, makeup, food, mags, camera etc...

Because AA charges to check luggage, it was ridiculous how many people tried to get anything and everything on the plane to avoid that $25 charge. It was so bad, they had a "Carry on Cop" that made everyone put their luggage in that metal stand. The good news is that if you skip the $25 cost at check-in, they will confiscate your carry on and check it for free.

Really??? I stood there thinking how stupid I was for wasting $25 for my company ( man, I still need to do my expense report) when I could just play stupid and lug my oversized carry on to the gate.

I''m glad they are imposing these fees. I have a deep seated fear of a plane just dropping from the sky because there is just too much weight on the plane for it to function properly. I''m all for people traveling lighter.

 

[redfaerythinker]

I don''t mind the extra fees to much... what really pisses me off is when no one tells me of the fees. I was overseas in Rome and on the flight over on Delta I could have a carry on plus my purse. However on the way back they changed the rules on me and said I could only carry on one thing. I had a really rough time trying to cram my purse into my bookbag. But of course the couple after me with their three huge bags of duty free items were A-ok. Next time I''ll just buy some gum and ask for a big duty free bag to put it in.

 

[swingirl]

Date: 4/6/2010 4:26:06 PM
Author: kenny
What''s next, charging us extra for wearing clothes?

Nudies free!!! It could become a new policy!

 

[sparklyheart]

Date: 4/6/2010 4:26:06 PM
Author: kenny
What''s next, charging us extra for wearing clothes?

The security checkpoint would go SOO much faster if people weren''t wearing clothes because of the high prices...

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Date: 4/7/2010 8:27:15 AM
Author: sparklyheart

Date: 4/6/2010 4:26:06 PM

Author: kenny

What''s next, charging us extra for wearing clothes?

The security checkpoint would go SOO much faster if people weren''t wearing clothes because of the high prices...

It''s bad enough getting stuck next to a person who overflows into my seat space. I CERTAINLY do not need to be stuck next to the same person without clothes on....**gag** and what about those smellier travelers? Again, **gag**

 

[LadyBlue]

Date: 4/6/2010 2:41:44 PM
Author: Hudson_Hawk
I''ve seen people bring massive amounts of carry on items with them so in some instances I think this is a good call. For most of us though? I think I''d rather they just bump my ticket price up by $20-$50 instead of trying to lure me in with a hugely discounted fare only to slap me with an at-gate charge like this.

Spirit''s business class is actually not much more expensive than their economy class, just FYI.

I think they should charge the necessary amount to be able to travel with out paying 20-40 here and there.

 

[LadyBlue]

Date: 4/6/2010 4:26:06 PM
Author: kenny
What''s next, charging us extra for wearing clothes?

For now People is going to start wearing 3 shirts, 4 underwear, 2 pants, just to avoid the carry on charge

, Then the charge for wearing clothes is going to come out

 

[mrscushion]

I believe people will get really tired of the nickel-and-diming via add-on fees. I think in the not too distant future the tide will turn and airlines will start targeting customers with "hassle-free," "no-nickel-and-diming" strategies -- i.e. reasonably low fares, but no extra fees.

 

[portia]

Date: 4/6/2010 9:13:30 PM
Author: IdLikeToBuyAVal
I''m thinking FI and I need to get pilot''s licenses and win the lottery so we can buy a plane lol!

Flying is such a ridiculous hassle.

I tell ya... that is the way to go. My dad has had his pilot''s license for as long as I can remember and many times we flew with him on family vacations. My DH and I still fly with him for family trips. It may be small and w/o drink service, but it sure beats being xrayed, frisked and nickle & dimed to death with all these extra charges. I hate flying commercially!

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 4/7/2010 10:46:28 AM
Author: mscushion
I believe people will get really tired of the nickel-and-diming via add-on fees. I think in the not too distant future the tide will turn and airlines will start targeting customers with 'hassle-free,' 'no-nickel-and-diming' strategies -- i.e. reasonably low fares, but no extra fees.

Southwest's big draw (besides their already low fares) is "no extra baggage fees!" I'm assuming they will probably increase that to "No extra baggage fees AT ALL! Including carry on bags!" or something like that.

 

[mrscushion]

Date: 4/7/2010 11:35:58 AM
Author: FrekeChild
Southwest''s big draw (besides their already low fares) is ''no extra baggage fees!'' I''m assuming they will probably increase that to ''No extra baggage fees AT ALL! Including carry on bags!'' or something like that.

Ah, OK. Good to know some airlines don''t buy into this crappy, crappy strategy to increase their topline.

 

[onvacation]

I was on AA recently, with a book bag and a very small purse. When I showed my ticket to the the lady at the gate, she pulled me out of the line, telling me that I had to put my purse into my book bag, otherwise she''d charge me for the extra "piece of luggage." SERIOUSLY?? My back pack isn''t like one of those huge hiking bags, either. Is it really necessary to make me stuff my purse into my bag when the guy right behind me has a huge wool coat, an obviously loaded suitcase and overflowing briefcase, and IS huge to begin with?

 

[zoebartlett]

It does bug me when people bring really big carry-ons that are so filled they're almost misshapen. I know it's a pain to retrieve luggage that's been checked, but it's not THAT big a deal, is it?

I also wish the fares would just increase from the start rather than having fees tacked on at the end. I get so disappointed when I see what seems like a good fare and then it's really not by the time you take into account the fees they charge.

 

[rierie26]

My first reaction was "Whaaat?," but then I thought about it and it *kinda* makes sense, but only if they charge people who have carryons bigger than a certain size or weight. It''s really annoying when I can''t find space for my half-empty duffle bag because the compartments are full of overstuffed roller bags.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I just flew Spirit to South America and they are very cheap. You get what you pay for. There is zero leg room. I am SHORT and my knees were almost touching. They pack those seats in and heard they are taking out extra bathrooms to put more seats in! The plane my parents were on actually flew with no running water. The charge you for any and all drinks (water included) but I will say this...they can board and de-board a plane like no one else. I think the carry-on fee is to help with the speed. People carry WAY too large bags and it sucks to be stuck behind all these people struggling to get oversize bags down (or up). Their upgrade to business class I think is only $50 (on the flight I was on) but there were only a few rows.