Baggage Fees Going Up

[+ Lucky]

Delta and Continental airlines announced hikes in the fees charged for checked baggage, claiming the highest rates of any airline. Delta will now charge $25 for the first bag, up from $15, and $35 for the second bag, up from $20. This could cause great problems for gays, who often carry several outfits and shoes for different occasions.

 

US Airways had raised its baggage rates in August, so I guess the new hikes are a show of restraint by Delta and Continental- they waited 5 months to join in.

 

If you bought your ticket before January 5th, you get charged the old rates. For Continental, it's January 9th.

 

Recently, I bought two tickets on United. The fare was the lowest I have ever seen for a ticket from Palm Springs to New York- $230. We stop to change planes in Denver. If we had just bought a ticket to Denver, the fare would have been almost $400. How the airlines figure this makes sense, I have no idea. But, I am not complaining. Even with the fees for luggage, I am traveling cheaper than ever.

 

No luggage fees are charged by budget carriers Southwest Airlines and Jet Blue, but they do not fly to PSP.

[Kevin Slater]

After the baggage charges were introduced (what? a year or two back?) we all expected to see havoc in the cabin as people tried to cram overstuffed carry-ons into the overhead bins. In the modest amount of flying I do I never did see that though. One small mercy.

 

Kevin Slater

[+ deej]

After the baggage charges were introduced (what? a year or two back?) we all expected to see havoc in the cabin as people tried to cram overstuffed carry-ons into the overhead bins. In the modest amount of flying I do I never did see that though. One small mercy.

 

I've seen a couple of people board late, after the overheads are full, and have the stewardesses gate-check their large carryons. There's no charge for that. (Yet)

[jackcali]

There are many reasons for passengers to be unhappythese days, but recently I've seen nasty looks and comments about a person using "my space" for excessive carry-on luggage. And I will admit to getting peeved when I see someone bringing onto the plane what looks like the contents of a small apartment.

 

I was in Europe on 9/11 and, when I flew back to JFK a couple of days later, they let us carry on what was in our pockets plus one ziplock bag big enough for a book or a snack. Boarding a plane was never easier, and with nothing under the seats, sitting in the plane was more comfortable. I think the airlines should consider charging MORE for large carry-ons than for checked luggage. They should also increase the seat pitch, but that's another issue entirely.

[Kevin Slater]

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/united_airlines_exploring

 

Kevin Slater

[Guest greatness]

oh

 

They lost my shoes one time. It was so sad.

 

This could cause great problems for gays, who often carry several outfits and shoes for different occasions.

[+ deej]

I think the airlines should consider charging MORE for large carry-ons than for checked luggage.

 

I wouldn't mind that, actually. I started checking bags in the first place because of the stoopid liquids restriction. (Can't carry 'em on but they're OK in the belly of the plane!)

 

I've also taken to using UPS to ship my luggage to my destination ahead of time and only carry a laptop/case for the trip itself. The shipping cost is roughly the same as what the airlines charge to handle it, and you don't have to stand in lines at the airport.

[Guest greatness]

oh my

 

That's a good idea. UPS usually delivers things on time.

 

 

 

I've also taken to using UPS to ship my luggage to my destination ahead of time and only carry a laptop/case for the trip itself.

[MsGuy]

I've also taken to using UPS to ship my luggage to my destination ahead of time

 

What a neat idea! With the bonus of not having to drag bags all over the airport.

[KMEM]

I completely agree that the airlines should charge for carry-on and give some allowance for checked baggage. However, that only makes too much sense and therefore will not likely happen.

 

My friends who work for FEDEX have been sending their baggage ahead for years but then they got the employee discount. Now, with the increased fees for checked baggage, "everyone" gets a discount for using this method.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[Epigonos]

I fly quite often for pleasure. I take only carryon luggage. I have finally learned to pack in such a way that I am able to travel to Mexico or to Europe for an extended period of time with only carryon luggage and the layered clothing I have on my back. What I am now doing that I didn’t do in the past is laundry while traveling. I realize that the cost of doing my laundry while traveling in both time and money might equal or even exceed the cost of checking a bag. The major advantage of traveling with only carryon baggage for me now that I have become a CBP Trusted Traveler is the time savings upon my return to the U.S. I am able to pass through immigrations easily and quickly and with only my carryon I don’t have to wait for baggage to be unloaded from the plane in order to pass through customs. I am usually out of the airport before the first bags begin to appear.

 

What is interesting of late is noticing how passengers are beginning to abuse the airline’s carryon luggage regulations. Most airlines allow one small suitcase and one additions small personal item ie. a purse, a laptop computer. It is amazing to see how some people are expanding the definition of one additional small personal item. I am seeing more and more people boarding airplanes with a small suitcase AND a medium to large sized duffel bag or backpack. The day is likely rapidly approaching when the airlines will begin charging for carryon luggage or they will begin to enforce their current regulations with a vengeance.

[+ deej]

I packed lighty for many years, to the point where I could carry business attire for a week in one roll-on. I have trouble doing that today, but mostly because the size of the garments are approaching tent size.

 

It would be great if they WOULD enforce carryon size requirements. I'm tired of seeing people trying to stuff steamer trunks in the overhead.

 

And you should be required to lift your carryon over your head before boarding. If you can't do that, CHECK IT!

[+ Lucky]

So, deej, what do you say when the little old lady asks you to please put her heavy carry-on in the bin for her? Or get it down?

[+ deej]

I've never had that happen.

[orbital sander]

This could cause great problems for gays, who often carry several outfits and shoes for different occasions

 

It is curious that you seem to think that "gays" often carry several outfits and shoes. Seems a little like stereotyping to me. I carry very little when I travel and have never had a problem, even on 2-3 week trips.

[+ Lucky]

Lighten up, sander! It was a cute reference to the guys who carry the drag outfits, or a whole slew of shoes. They exist, you know!

[+ Lucky]

Not a luggage issue, the use of airline miles is hard, especially on Delta, which effectively eliminated its lower tier awards without telling us. Here's how to work the miles:

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704675104575000961694950250.html

[Guest DuchessIvanaKizznhugg]

It was a cute reference to the guys who carry the drag outfits, or a whole slew of shoes. They exist, you know!

 

Reminds me of the time (OMG, 20+ years ago?!) I returned to Toronto from Palm Springs with a flashy new tiara in tow. It was too delicate and too awkward to pack, and I wasn't sure how I was going to get it home. Necessity being the mother of invention, I purchased an inexpensive cowboy hat, and placed the tiara so it hugged the front of the crown. Just before bording, I put the cowboy hat on my head and boarded the plane. I felt it was screaming "Look at me, big homo coming through", but----not even a second glance from any of the passengers or crew!

 

Arrived home with the tiara intact, and an increased belief in the fact that people you pass in your day to day travels are hardly paying any attention to anyone else.

[Guest greatness]

yes?

 

Yes Lucky I'm here..

 

....a whole slew of shoes. They exist, you know!

[Guest greatness]

oh my

 

I will visit you sometime soon. I want to try one of your tiaras. I want one for my wedding. You can be my maid of honor but you have to make sure that I get all the attention! It would be an awesome wedding.

 

 

Reminds me of the time (OMG, 20+ years ago?!) I returned to Toronto from Palm Springs with a flashy new tiara in tow. It was too delicate and too awkward to pack, and I wasn't sure how I was going to get it home. Necessity being the mother of invention, I purchased an inexpensive cowboy hat, and placed the tiara so it hugged the front of the crown. Just before bording, I put the cowboy hat on my head and boarded the plane. I felt it was screaming "Look at me, big homo coming through", but----not even a second glance from any of the passengers or crew!

 

Arrived home with the tiara intact, and an increased belief in the fact that people you pass in your day to day travels are hardly paying any attention to anyone else.

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[Guest OCBeachbody]

As someone who flies alot I am very upset about fees. Usually in my line of work I either as someone suggested Fedex stuff... like presentation materials or "cough" even clothes. Have things printed at a local Kinko's...etc...

 

I honestly do not feel any safer and these fees seem to go to harass us.... the consumers. There is no reason or need for all these extra fee's and security checks. LOL onetime to save some money I just shipped everything via a carrier and got on the plane with just my wallet and cell ...which I know the TSA people were kinda surprised... but luckily I don't fit any watchdog profiles.