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American Airlines to charge for FIRST checked bag
Ouch. AMR corp just announced that they're going to start charging for the first checked bag on all of their American Airlines and American Eagle flights, effective for tickets purchased on or after June 15.And so ends the era of free checked baggage on airlines. I wonder how long it will be before the other major airlines follow suit?
I can already see the ruckus of carry-on baggage now. Right after the liquids ban, I remember getting on aircraft and seeing nearly empty overhead compartments -- everyone wanted to check their luggage so that they could bring their 10 oz toothpaste with them. Things gradually returned to normal loads as people have adapted to the 100ml rule.
Now, since nobody wants to pay an extra 15$, everyone is going to want to bring their luggage aboard, overhead compartments are going to jam up, people with giant luggage are going to clog up space and passengers are going to get testy.
Of course the new rule doesn't apply to elites, but as several people on the underground pointed out, it really affects everyone on the aircraft. If the overhead compartments are full and the flight spends an extra 15 minutes on the ground sorting out luggage issues and appeasing passengers, the entire plane is late, right?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nick May 21st 2008 11:14AM
I think we all saw this coming.
Also, I believe that in the United States, the $ precedes the value. $15. Not 15$.
Nick Hawkins May 21st 2008 11:14AM
This can't end well.
Candida May 21st 2008 11:36AM
Though I'm not completely surprised, I am incensed. I can't wait for airlines to start losing more and more money as people choose trains and cars for smaller trips. I sure won't be flying AA.
Eva May 21st 2008 12:27PM
Urgh.
If they must do it, I would rather it was included in the cost of the ticket - I hate knowing that I'm paying extra fees, and the no-liquids thing has basically made it impossible (for me, anyway) not to have checked baggage. 100mls of shampoo/conditioner just doesn't get you very far when your hair is long...
Overhead compartments are already a nightmare. They're going to have to crack down on those huge, hard-shelled wheelie bags everyone insists on cramming in there.
Gargamello May 21st 2008 1:12PM
Egads, this is just nasty. A single checked bag should be included in the price of a ticket. It's just going to drive more travelers to consider other forms of transportation, as one other commenter mentioned, whether that be cars, trains or just not taking the trip. Airports are already a painful experience as it is.
Emma Leigh May 21st 2008 3:05PM
I can see that progressing from charging $15 per bag to charging $15 per bag up to 25 pounds then $x per pound over that. All the check in counters have scales there already, don't they?
Kathleen May 21st 2008 7:40PM
Grant,
This story was cited by Christopher Elliott in an article he wrote for msnbc.com.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24761262/
Len May 21st 2008 8:26PM
this sort of reminds me of the old bait and switch,we will fly you to your destination for only 79.00 but if you want to take your luggage and have a sandwich it will be an additional 79.0,so now your one-way ticket is 158.00
Susie May 22nd 2008 3:58PM
This is not a huge surprise from AA. Their planes and customer service have been crap for quite a while now. The last time I flew with them, the AA employees acted like they were doing me a HUGE favor by just being there. Their attitude was terrible. We will fly another airline and get a different credit card (our expenditures on our present card apply toward frequent flyer miles on AA).
Flying is unpleasant enough but now to have everyone trying to lift & stuff overpacked suitcases into the overhead compartment will just delay the departure and fray tempers. Then when there isn't enough room for all of this new carryon, where will it go? Will they check it for free then or still charge the fee?
marc May 24th 2008 10:36PM
i stopped flying american airlines years ago.
thank god for that.
rcsheltonjr Jun 3rd 2008 11:27AM
Next will come pay toilets and seat belt rentals
Joni Jun 4th 2008 4:20PM
I hope I do not have to fly AA ever again. I'ts sad that the airline industry has come to this. My husband and I flew 6 hours just the other night and all they offered passengers was one complimentary drink. I remember when we used to get meals on the plane and now, not even a bag of peanuts or pretzels. Shameful!! If you don't want to get dehydrated, you can buy a bottle of water at the airport and bring it on the plane, you just can't get it through security. Everyone is starting to bring their own food on the plane, but that will probably end too. Someone will do something stupid and ruin it for the rest of us. Oh, and you would think the $2 they charge you for headphones to watch the movie would be included in the cost of the ticket. AA also ripped and tore my suitcase and my hair appliance was hanging half way out with the cord dragging behind it on the carousel. The bag was ruined and we had to file a claim. They would not settle it at that end, we had to wait until we got back. I was hoping and praying my bag would survive the abuse on the way back.