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Spirit Airlines CEO stuffs himself in an overhead bin to justify paid carry-on fees
Spirit Airlines president and CEO, Ben Baldanza took some time out of his busy schedule to try and calm the masses about their upcoming paid carry-on baggage fees.
In his video clip, he claims passengers are annoyed by full overhead bins, and long lines to board the plane. He tells people that Spirit has lowered ticket prices, and lowered checked bag fees. In his logic, by introducing these new carry-on bag fees, the entire experience of flying Spirit Airlines will improve.
Now, lets take a look at his logic - too many people bring too much stuff on the plane. They crowd the overhead bins, and they create long lines for boarding. Why do people bring stuff on the plane? Because Spirit Airlines is one of a long list of airlines that charges for checked luggage ($25 for the first two bags when paid at the airport).
So, instead of removing that fee, and making the experience nicer for everyone, the airline earned itself the ridicule of the airline world by introducing the carry-on bag fee.
And seriously, even though the CEO thought he could be cool by trying to spin this with a funny video, the fact remains that the move to paid carry-on bags will probably cause the airline more than they'll ever make off their new scheme.
Assuming Mr. Baldanza reads Gadling, I'll explain why his scheme sucks from the perspective of a traveler:
- People carry bags on board because they don't want to pay the checked bag fee - they also want to prevent the airline from losing their bag, setting it on fire or having someone steal the contents.
- Telling people that their carry-on bag fee is offset by really low price of their ticket doesn't make the situation any better - people have a built in distrust of anything an airline tells them. A family of three may be forced to pay for three carry-on bags (each way). I suspect Spirit Airlines won't be able to show that these tickets will be $270 cheaper when the carry-on fee is introduced.
- People will vote with their wallets - there are still airlines out there that don't charge for checked bags, and as of right now, Spirit is the only one with a carry-on bag fee.
We did an entirely non scientific test to check that. On aSprit has reduced fares "by at least as much, or even more than the amount of the carry-on fee", says Baldanza. "Southwest makes you pay for checked bags even if you don't check bags, since they have to cover those costs but give you no break if you don't use the infrastructure. At Spirit, you spend only for what you use and don't pay for what you don't use."
Spirit Airlines: $195.40 total
Southwest Airlines: $220.80
Both flights are priced after the new carry-on fee goes into effect. As you can see - Spirit really is cheaper (by just over $25). This means that a passenger on Southwest Airlines will pay more than on Spirit Airlines.
Assuming of course that the passenger on Spirit is able to pack a weeks worth of luggage into a bag that will fit under their seat.
In reality, nobody is able to do that (unless they ship their bags), so a family of three will end up saving $76.20 on the ticket, but will have to pay a minimum of $90 for three carry-on bags (if they pre-pay online, $135 if paid at the airport).
Goodbye savings.
To me, the fact that the CEO of the airline had to resort to filming a stupid video means the PR backlash from this idea has hit them a little harder than they expected. At least Ben Baldanza is no stranger to bad PR (though he is no Michael O'Leary).
In the end, I'm sure the new measure will take place no matter how much we complain, though I doubt it'll create the "soaring sales" claimed by Mr. Baldanza, as I really can't think of a single kind of traveler that saw the new fee and thought "hey, that is really smart - let me start flying this low cost carrier with all the fees".
What is your opinion? Do you think the idea is smart? Or more importantly - why do you think it is smart (or not)?
| Smart - it forces people to pack lightly (and I don't mind paying for it) | |
|---|---|
| Smart - I never carry luggage when I travel, so I will save money | |
| Stupid - I need to carry at least some baggage, so this will make me fly someone else | |
| Stupid - I hate all fees |
UPDATE: See the results of the poll here. A surprising number of folks actually like the new fee.
Filed under: Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 4)
Bob Apr 14th 2010 4:32PM
Okay, here it is, I will pay $30.00 and ride in the overhead bin.
Jack Apr 14th 2010 4:30PM
I have had my first flight in over 10 year a few month ago. I was surprise how it has change. To start in the days when I was traveling a lot, we had none or maybe a brief case. Everything was check, came through ok. Had two time when something did not arrive with me, they delivered it to my motel before day was over.
I watched as they came aboard with tons of baggage, called carry on. Now the luggage people make bag they call carry ons.
They cramed us together so I could hardly move. The one filght was 7 hour late leaving. No pillows, no blankets. They had peanuts and soda.
The meals we use to get on the airline were great. But I guess I was luck and retired before all the air lines stopped worrying about the passengers, but tried to make buck by cutting back service.
They make money by merge and then cut flights. Lay of flight crews. and so on.
Something is wrong here, from the time to you get into the air port until you leave at the you next spot it is all oaver loaded.
Looks like what the Grey hound bus stations use to look like in my early days. The bus people treated you better then what the airlines do now.
Cheryl Apr 14th 2010 4:50PM
I wont be flying Spirit airlines. Not that I have actually heard of them. I fly SWA. No frills, but no extra fees. I hope Spirit airlines fails and this CEO is fired!!!
Gordon Apr 14th 2010 5:07PM
Screw Spirt and Fly Jet Blue - they don't charge for checked bags or Carry on's.
John Apr 14th 2010 5:14PM
Well, what do you know? Another GREEDY CORPORATE CEO trying to justify his reasons for SREWING OVER the consumer. Nothing New. The BEST place for ben baldanza ti fit into would be the TOILET BOWL. Greedy piece of S..T. The airlines will continue to "push the envelope" as far as they can. Hopefully, the amount of flyers on Spirit Airlines will decline.
charlie Apr 14th 2010 5:19PM
How many times have you seen were airlines start with boarding to rear of the plane. Then those dirtbags load up the overhead bins right where coach begins. So now you board and want to put your bags in the bins over your seating area but can't., because those dirt bags really took your space. If everyone was forced to check in their luggage boarding and exiting would be much faster.
JC Apr 14th 2010 5:23PM
God bless Southwest Airlines!
Jim Apr 14th 2010 5:44PM
ALL airlines (except Southwest) SUCK !!!!!! Isn't is strange that the one airline (Southwest) that treats their CUSTOMERS right and have little or no fees is the only airline making money............hmmmmmmmm, customer service - making money.......could there be a correlation?????
Andrea DeSormeau Apr 14th 2010 5:52PM
So, they want to charge me for taking on medication that can save my life? They want to charge me to take on a snack so my husband who is diabetic does not have a medical emergency when his blood sugar gets too low because they've left us sitting on the tarmac with no services for hours on end? OOOOO -- can I just sue you now and get it over with?
ruth Apr 14th 2010 8:44PM
why cant you just put his meds and a snack in a small bag that fits under your seat? The first words out of someones mouth are to sue...take some responsibility. If you cant afford to fly, then dont
rob Apr 14th 2010 5:48PM
Traveling by car is once again starting to look good on certain occasions. I know, a few over-zealous ticket-writing state troopers to deal with and a guy with his jacked-up pick-up truck up the ass-end of your car on I-75 or I-95 when you're already doing 80 but hey, what the heck...no TSA searching your bags, "puffing" your skirt 4 inches up in the air or peering innocuously at your package. Airlines should be glad people want to use their services and not take advantage of the flying public and their wallets.
flybynite Apr 14th 2010 5:52PM
I hate to tell you guys this because you aren't going to like it ...but...since companys started to charge for checked baggage people have been overloading their carry on bags and they weigh a ton! They bring them into the airport and can barely lift them up over the curb, they then hand them over to the valet's or they just stand there and expect TSA agents to lift them onto the x-ray machines for them. I have watched the airport employees hurt themselves with these massive bags ( and being an employee at the airport i've hurt myself as well) They get pissed off if you don't "man up" as one petite little ,snotty ass , passenger said to me, when you don't automatically grab these monstrosities and swing them around like Heman the barbarian. and then tip you crap when you're done....American flyers are not the worst ,most spoiled, whinny, cry baby, flyers in the world ...but they are close.
Darren Apr 14th 2010 5:55PM
You can argue anyway that you like, but the nutshell is that airlines will continue to add on fees until the travelling public revolts. It has gotten to the point where you need a calculator and a spread sheet just to figure out the real price of your ticket. Until we really start kicking us a fuss expect more and more charges.
Spirit started this, but unless we all speak up now it will become SOP for every airline.
PLACEDORDERS Apr 14th 2010 6:02PM
Let's get real for a bit. The airline flies on fuel that is expensive. The more you and your luggage weighs the more it costs them. I propose that #1 the airlines get better at handling bags. I for one am afraid to give them mine. I don't want mine lost or destroyed. I would not think of handing over my laptop or camera. (There are 2 bag fees) With the number of things stolen from bags you can't give them anything you need or care about. #2 I propose that you step on a scale with your bags and start paying over a certain weight. Oversize people and over stuffed bags cost the airline money. Now you paid for the bags and yourself. No one got around anything. Carry it on or check it. There is no cost difference. I also feel there should be a few rows of seats that are oversize for those who paid for their size at the scale. You pay for a 350 lb seat you get it. No more complaints about fat people. No more complaints about how much luggage someone brought. No fees for bringing your laptop. No getting around fees saying, it's not a suitcase, it's my purse. End of problems. End of fees. Done!!!
Jim Apr 14th 2010 6:17PM
Why do people carry stuff on airplanes?
Because they want that stuff to arrive at the same time they do instead of 3 days later, or never!
Joey Apr 14th 2010 7:23PM
We love the idea. Wife & I fly frequently from AC to Ft. Myers & the things people bring on are unbelievable, causing delays boarding & departing. If you are at the end of the line you have to check your carry-on because there is no room, its happened many times to us & we are disgusted. We would rather see no carry-on luggage. Just a bag under the seat.
Sherry Apr 15th 2010 6:59AM
I applaud Spirt Airlines for having the chutzpa to charge for carry on items that do not fit under the seat in front of you. I hope other airlines quickly follow. I am a business traveler - hence I travel often. And despite what other frequent travelers may say, I am thrilled at the prospect that travelers may start to bring less on board. The fact is some people bring everything but the kitchen sink, they take way more overhead space than their share, they delay boarding, they delay deplaning, they potentially put all passangers at risk in case of emergency. They are rude and disrespecful of proper airplane "manners." I barely noted any increase in the number of bags carried on after airlines started charging for checked bags. Want to know why? They were already brining on way too much (and way too big) before that policy even started. I am always thrilled when the gate agent refuses to allow a passenger to board with more than one carry on and one personal item. Checked bag fees are the cost of flying in a struggling economy where the airlines, along with many other industries, barely stay afloat. Apparently no one remembers how much airline tickets cost before deregulation? If you don't want to pay for travel by air once you know the total cost of the ticket including all regulatory and airline imposed fees - then don't. Less ofyou to annoy me whacking me with your carry on and you blithly ramble down the aisle - only to stop and take 5 minutes to stuff your bags in the overhead while the rest of the passangers standing behing you wait.
Liz Elam Apr 14th 2010 6:59PM
Nick
Apr 13th 2010 6:29PM
@ Margery
...
However, don't you think the airlines would've eliminated this loophole already if they had found it practicable and/or economically beneficial? Here's why I think the airlines don't do it: checking in over-sized carry-ons at the gate would cost the airlines a lot in terms of additional staff for the purpose (processing payment etc.) and subsequent delay in take-off. Airlines operate their planes at very tight turn-arounds (usually 30-40 minutes), and it would actually cost the carriers more to have to formally check the bags than to just toss the few odd bags into the baggage hold and get the plane going on time....
Hi. Nick. 1. You said checking in over-sized carry-ons at the gate would cost the airlines a lot in terms of additional staff. If they surcharged those who try to bring oversized items, it would about even out the cost. Besides, they have the staff milling around to do whatever you see them do. Put them to profitable use.
2. Since these major overhauls in travel procedures since 911, the airlines have been requiring passengers to arrive at least two hours before departure time to allow for check-in and other unforseen delays. If the airlines were to start leaving some of the passengers for arriving late or because of over sized bags at the gate, the people will quickly get the message. They should make the passenger take the over-sized baggage back to the entrance and pay the fees. If you miss your flight, guess what?
Larry W. Bruce Apr 14th 2010 7:01PM
Personally, I don't care if they can fit a "Lexus" in the overhead bin, I refuse to pay for a carry on bag !!! It is becoming so inconvient to fly we will all be looking for other modes of transportation to reach our destinations. I can remember when it was enjoyable and exciting to fly. You got a beverage and an inflight meal in coach. Although airplane food has always been the butt of a lot of jokes it was the convienience and thought that counted and you felt like the Airlines appreciated your business. Now days, its almost as if the Airlines could care less whether they get your business or not. By the time you have to pay for one checked bag, and a carry-on bag your flight has just gone up in price another $140 round trip.
Lora Apr 14th 2010 7:08PM
What an idiot! I would never fly with any company that charged for carry-ons. I LOVE Virgin Airlines. They are by far the best airlines I have ever flown.