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Everyone is now charging for extra bags. Get used to it.
If you've been following airline industry news over the past few weeks, you've probably heard news about many American carriers creating new fees for multiple checked bags. If your favorite hometown airline hasn't started doing it yet, don't hold your breath, it's probably on the way.These changes are too bad for American passengers, but long overdue, I'm afraid. Airlines have been struggling to cope with staggeringly high oil and operational costs over the last few years, all while maintaining competitive and fair prices. Their competition has cut so deep into the bottom line that carriers are now faced with two options: raise ticket prices or implement extra fees.
What currently drives the majority of the airline ticket market, however, is overwhelming demand for budget tickets -- regardless of the carrier, class of service or amenities. Raising the bar on ticket prices thus runs the risk of losing large swaths of passengers with each increase.
So the airlines are forced to nickel and dime their regular passengers with extra fees along the way. This includes several in-flight amenities such as headphones or television that have already been integrated into many routes to extra baggage fees, which are unrolling this week.
Where to after that? It wouldn't surprise me if airlines soon unilaterally started charging for all beverages, preferred seating, peanuts, wheelchair room or overweight passengers. Anything to keep the bottom line in its current place.
As the prevailing trend over the last few years dictates though, most of these changes won't have any effect on the the frequent and business travelers. In addition to extra baggage fees being waived, most elite members are allowed an additional bag that they can bring along for free. Loyalty pays off, I suppose.
For now, make sure you keep an extra twenty with you when you're on the road -- if you want an extra shred of comfort, food or alcohol on board you're going to have to pay for it. But as you're handing your five dollars over for a dried up tuna sandwich on white bread and six ounces of gin, ask yourself, would you rather pay for your oil with your plane ticket or your in-flight privileges?
I don't know about you, but I would rather save my money upfront, pack light and starve.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
James C. Mar 28th 2008 5:06PM
It bothers me that people think that airline prices are reasonable. I will admit that for many popular routes prices have remained competitive. The problem is for those of us who don't live on popular routes. I live in Grand Forks, ND and Northwest is the only airline that flies to our airport. They do not hesitate to charge whatever they want to their customers who have no other option. I would like Northwest to explain to me why a 2.5 hour flight from orlando to minneapolis is $200 while a 45 min. flight from Minneapolis to Grand Forks is well over $400. That right there shows that they don't care about their customers. Airlines will charge you for anything that they can get away with, including premium seats, etc. And since when did the first 15 rows of a 25 row aircraft become premium? If airlines are going to have the gaul to charge you $5 for a sandwich on a 6 hour flight they should at least be set up to give change. You would never go into a restaurant and have them tell you that you need to use exact change. If you are going to charge at least be set up to do it.
I guess what I am trying to say (even if it did turn into a rant) is: don't just assume that because your ticket prices haven't changed that they aren't making up for it somewhere else. They are making up for it with all the people that don't have a choice of airlines.
krishna Mar 29th 2008 6:38AM
Yeah!! its the same case here in India too.
Loriva Mar 28th 2008 5:32PM
This policy not stopping people from packing too many carry ons. I saw no enforcement over my many trips this week of people carrying on three or four bags into the cabin. It's also going to make the convenience of even trying to pack light and carry on a headache.
Many airports have convenience stores now where you can purchase nuts, fruit and other items. Also, don't forget, as long as it isn't a liquid, you can pack snacks for the trip. these days it is just about being prepared and being knowledgeable about what you are facing.
Ladyexpat (Nancie) Apr 2nd 2008 6:46AM
I hope that someone soon tells passengers flying through Asian airports that there are bag restrictions. I fly out of Seoul, and I swear half of the people in the check-in line have everything but the kitchen sink. That doesn't include what they haul on board.
tlkativ Mar 28th 2008 11:17PM
My husband and I have made a concerted effort over the last few trips to pare down our luggage to one carry-on a piece (and a personal item--backpack or computer case)... we have the benefit of knowing that our bags will land with us and no worries about extra fees (yet). Totally worth it.
Ronaldo Apr 1st 2008 9:20AM
ALL these extra fees are bogus. Especially the new increases announced today by Delta....$100US for a pet or an unaccompanied minor. First and foremost how does these two increase fuel costs? Secondly, why should anyone pay for a pet inside the cabin? The pet's case should count against your carry-on limit. Hell, parents bring on more than they are allowed (diaper bags, kids bags, purses, other luggage) without being charged!
Airlines keep reducing the number of employees and automating the services to "save" money but where are the savings to the consumer?
Ed Apr 1st 2008 6:44PM
I read recently that the largest operating cost for airlines, by far, is labor. Cutting that cost will make a huge difference. The cost of oil isn't going down and it cannot be controlled.