Spirit Airlines CEO stuffs himself in an overhead bin to justify paid carry-on fees

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4-14-2010 @ 12:27PM

Margery said...

I think the "free gate check" that airlines offer at the last minute to passengers who defer checking bags is the real culprit in all of this, and that the problem would be solved if penalty fees were added to gate checks -- say 50% more fee than if the bag had been checked at check-in.

Anyone who travels by air these days is familiar with the boarding scenario: passengers who want to save money defer checking their humongous bags, and bring them on board where, no surprise to anyone, they will not fit in the overhead bins. But, these bags are then checked free. It is a win for the passenger, who effectively by-passes the luggage fee, but the rest of us lose when boarding takes "forever" due to the last minute checking of bags.

I am not in favor of charging for carry on bags, but the situation as it stands is ridiculous. The airlines need to find a way to "encourage" passengers to check their bags at the appropriate time, and close the "free gate check" loophole. Some people suggest having TSA enforce size and weight limits. When I travel in Europe I am surprised by the ease with which passengers accept reasonable limits on carry on. We would do well to follow their example.

4-13-2010 @ 6:29PM

Nick said...

@ Margery

I too get irritated at people who take unfair advantage of the "free gate check" loophole that you describe. Not only do they block the narrow aisles and cause possible injuries, but it is also not fair to others in the plane who actually PAY for their checked bags.

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.

I do not agree that the TSA should be made responsible for the baggage check-ins. Enforcing baggage restrictions is not within their mandate, and the TSA has already encroached a lot in our lives.

The best solution is for the airlines to screen carry-on at the check in counters for size/number limitations. Let the passengers carry only the allowed carry-on beyond the check-in desks.

4-13-2010 @ 8:26PM

Scott Carmichael said...

@nick - but that means the airlines needs people at the check in desk. Now most of them have replaced most front desk staff with an electronic kiosk, there are not enough staff members to keep an eye on bags.

Also, if the rules allow me one large bag and one personal item, I'll carry the absolute maximum the airline allows me. Gate checking is usually done because the planes are just not designed for the 1+1 rule. Some airlines have enlarged their bins, but most of them are just not large enough. Even when everyone carries bags that fit the airline rules, at least 5 or 6 people end up needing to gate check.

4-13-2010 @ 8:56PM

Slappy said...

I'm going to have to disagree with you Margery.

In my experience, people have been bringing too much stuff on to the planes as "carryons" since long before the airlines started charging for fees.

I believe the root cause is the "I'm special factor" people of all ages, genders, etc. have developed over the last 10-15 years with the I have to be catered to, I have to be first, I can't be made to wait, etc.

It's not just the carry on luggage, it's the cell phones, the "I don't have to follow the rules," the shorts and tank tops, etc.

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