When I booked my flight last week to go to Denver, I saw that airlines are now charging $25 for a 2nd checked bag! I must have missed the news the night they had that on, as that's the first I heard of it. Apparently, commercial flights are able to rent out their cargo space to other companies for shipping, etc. This is supposed to help defray the cost of fuel and to help keep ticket prices lower. But that means that you can only check 1 bag for free (unless you meet certain club membership requirements; first class, etc.). They still have the 50 pound weight limit on bags, too.
That was announced some time ago. Not new though. Why, I remember when I was little, some airlines charged by the weight of the bags and they weighed the passengers too! As you can imagine, that wasn't very popular. ;D
Last February United Air Lines announced they were going to start charging $25 for a second bag effective in May.
Since then most, if not all, airlines fell in line to begin charging in May.
Before long one will have to pay an extra door fee to get in the airplane and then a separate fee to get a seat.
And $10.00 for the mandatory seat belt! ;D
... and another $10 if you smoked during college.
From Southwest Airlines:
Baggage Allowance: Beginning January 29, 2008, Southwest will allow two (2) checked pieces of baggage per ticketed Customer. Size and weight limitations apply.
Excess Baggage: Effective January 29, 2008, you may check a third bag for a charge of $25. Your 4th through 9th bag or item will incur a charge of $50 per piece, and any bag or item thereafter will be $110 per piece.
Weight and Size Allowance: Maximum weight is 50 pounds and maximum size is 62 inches (length + width + height) per checked piece of luggage. Effective March 1, 2005, overweight items from 51 to 70 pounds will be accepted for a charge of $25.00 per item. Items weighing from 71 to 100 pounds and oversized items in excess of 62 inches but not more than 80 inches (i.e., surfboards, bicycles, vaulting poles) will be accepted for a charge of $50.00 per item. Any item weighing more than 100 pounds must be shipped as Air Cargo. However, Customers cannot use SWA Cargo unless classified as a Known Shipper as defined by the TSA or TSA approved Indirect Air Carriers (IAC). For full details about shipping cargo, visit swacargo.com.
Quote from: Rudy Taylor on May 12, 2008, 06:15:10 PM
... and another $10 if you smoked during college.
But $5 off if you didn't inhale.. ;D
Ah, good to know about Southwest. Another plus for them.
Also, a little cheaper for AirTran...
Effective May 15, 2008 — The charge for a second checked bag will be $10 when paid using Online Check-In or $20 when paid at the airport kiosks and ticket counter. For each fare-paying customer, AirTran Airways will allow one (1) checked piece free of charge, with size and weight limitations.
Just got here in Kentucky.. via 2 flights and a layover in Chicago.
As far as the flights..It was smooth and went without incident.
But.. without me knowing it..( until I checked into my hotel) they opened my suitcase.. breaking off one of my locking handles on the side of my NEW hard case suitcase.. apparently dumped all my contents out.. ( took out and disposed of my can of Comet that I always take cause I have a phobia of showers and bathtubs that are "not clean" ) and breaking some of my makeup .. smashing my hat ( that I had so gingerly packed with care) and literally wading everything back up and squishing it back in my suitcase.
You have no idea the fury I felt when I opened my suitcase and found what I found. ( with the slip of paper of course informing me of their search.. ) we all know that a new can of Comet is a very dangerous thing to have in the cargo section of a plane. WHATEVER!! >:(
If they wanted the damned can of Comet.. fine.. take it! I don't care about that... And to randomly search suitcases...? Fine.. Do it if that is what they feel they have to do...
But to dump everything back in all waded up ..take my cowboy hat and just crunch it all up and ruin it...and break my suitcase..and to be so rough as to break my powder and blush loose from the compacts is totally inexcusable. >:(
I am so sick of people not caring about anything that belongs to anyone.(http://www.cascity.com/howard/animations/grrr.gif)
Mad mad mad... that is what I am about this.
That is a bummer! I've had them go through my luggage while I was standing there watching them, but not after it was out of my sight. You can "register a complaint," and see if that does any good!
Other than that, enjoy your visit in Kentucky!
I have not ridden on an airplane since I retired six years ago.
I thought, though, that one of the reasons one was supposed to leave their checked bags unlocked was so that these folks could go through your baggage without breaking into it.
In Teresa's case, maybe they thought it was Haley's?
That's true W. I have to leave my big hard side suitcase unlocked and I put a big safety strap around it. My soft side roll on has TSA locks on all the zippers. I keep all my makeup in my roll on. Teresa, can you put some Comet in a small ziplock bag in your purse or carry on? If they open it you can tell them what it is. I'm sorry you had such a hard time.
My bags were not locked by a key. The sides were only snapped and not locked. But the front of the suitcase was locked with a combination in the front of the lock set. I was not ask if I had a key or if anything was locked or I would have turned the dial to my number so that they had access.
They literally BROKE my suitcase to get it open.
I have had them open up our bags while we were there. I have seen them do it lots of times to others also. No big deal. I always ask nicely if they will please look carefully as I have everything packed just so, and I would appreciate the gentle handling of my things.
Generally the ladies that help, understand...and honor that request. But this time it was like they took great pride in just tearing the hell out of my stuff.
And YES.. I am going to register a complaint.. in person.. and by mail and my e-mail and by phone.
Will it do any good? No.. but it will make me feel better. Maybe.............. :-\
At least the shower and tub are clean in this hotel.. I still won't set in the tub.. but I will stand in it to take a shower.
( I know.. I am weird..) but we all have to be weird about something. hahaha ;D
I think any bag with a non-TSA lock WILL be searched; doesn't matter if you give them the key, leave the key in it, or turn the dial so they can get in. I think the only locks that can be on suitcases are TSA-approved. I'm surprised they did so much damage to the suitcase, but maybe they couldn't figure out how to get it open (IQ of these people they get may be low)?
Good luck with the claim. Not saying you'll have bad luck, but I hope you get reimbursed!
Pre 911 you could have filed an insurance claim, to the airline. Not sure how it works now, since the damage happened in the terminal.
I think you can still file a claim... either with the airline or with the TSA. But, unfortunately, since it was a locked bag, they may try and tell you that it was your fault for not having it unlocked or having a TSA-approved lock. BUT... I would still fight tooth and nail about the damage done to the suitcase and the contents. If they could cut the lock off and still open the bag without doing damage, I think you still have a leg to stand on. Go in knowing that you did not use an approved lock, but tell them that they still could have cut off the lock and got the suitcase open without damaging it and the contents.
When I flew out of Wichita 3 weeks ago there was a sign at the beginning of the check in line and several more around the airport saying that non tsa locks would be broken if your luggage was picked to be searched so I removed all the locks from my bags before I checked them, the same sign was posted in Chicago and Heathrow. The TSA website had a long list of things that you are not allowed to take on the plane maybe comet was on the list
I finally got to talk to a "real person" with TSA with common sense who told me he was so sorry that my suitcase was broken. And that I could complain until the ends of the earth and they would do NOTHING about it. He was rather disgusted also when he told me this. He said that they get hundreds of valid complaints and nothing is done. He said it was awful how peoples things are treated in the airports.
I told him about the can of Comet and he smiled and said....with a ~ wait til you hear this..you can't believe this ~ look......"
He said, the reason they probably took the comet was because it is a corrosive... and ...get this...............
****It has the potential to corrode through the bottom of the plane. ****
Can you BELIEVE THAT?? ;D ;D ;D ;D ::) ::) ::) ::)
I just looked at him and said.. You have got to be kidding me! Is ANYONE ANYWHERE stupid enough to swallow that crap?
he laughed and said.. You wouldn't think so would you... but I'm afraid that there are people walking among us that DO think you will believe it.
He apologized again.. and I said I wouldn't waste my time filing a complaint.
***Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... I am so weary and tired of all the dysfunctional ways of the world. :(
FILE, FILE, FILE! Even if nothing comes of it, at least you've spoken your outrage! I'm not normally a complainer, but that incident is DUE CAUSE for raising hell!
American prepares for first-bag fee
Last Modified: 6/6/2008 3:23 AM
DALLAS — American Airlines says its new $15 fee for a first checked bag will affect fewer than one in four customers this summer and won't lengthen lines at boarding gates.
The carrier said Thursday that it's taking steps, from curbside check-in to the aircraft cabins, to avoid disruptions from the new policy.
American last month was the first major airline to announce it would charge customers to check a single piece of luggage. The fee takes effect on tickets bought on or after June 15. American said three-quarters of summer travelers had already bought their tickets and wouldn't pay the fee.
The airline defended the fee, saying it was a bargain compared with the cost of shipping a 45-pound bag overnight on a package-delivery company. It said the cost of sending a bag from Dallas to New York would range from $150 to $230 or more.
Members of the elite levels of American's frequent flyer program won't have to pay the fee, and neither will those who bought first-class, business-class or full-fare coach tickets or are traveling overseas. :-[
Taken from the Tulsa World
Seriously? How in the heck are you supposed to take luggage on a trip now? You can't carry-on any of the liquid necessities, so now you have to pay to check it?
And the rich don't have to pay? >:(
Jeese.. what a dirty rotten rule that is!.!
If American Airlines are going to get away with this the other airlines will soon follow their policy also.
Oh they'll get away with it ..and there won't be anything we can do..but pay........
Kjell just got back tonight from California and he said that people were already talking about it all through the airport..and they were NOT happy campers.
He was only gone for 3 days so he took a carry on..so it didn't matter this time.
All the junk you have to go through to fly is why we are renting a Ford Expedition when we leave this week to go to New Mexico. We have so much gear to take and we are going to be gone for so long that It would have been a quadruple hassle to fly with the ton of stuff we have to take.
I am actually looking forward to the trip. The place we have to be is about 1100 miles one way..and the ride in these big SUV's is comfy..and we have XM Radio and navigation in this vehicle..so we can listen to talk shows and books on this trip..and we also maybe won't get lost.. ( which will be a first ::) )
This time Kjell won't be in the dog house.. I won't be huffing and puffing at him..he won't get mad and tell me to drive if I can do better and then I say ok..I will drive cause I CAN do better... and before you know it ..we are lost again.??? .cause sometimes I don't do better ::)
we always end up laughing about it.. but it sometimes isn't too pleasant for awhile.
I always tell him. "I'm not lost.. I just don't know where we are right now".. :-[
:D
I use my laptop connected to a GPS on long trips, which is very handy when they are two or more in the car. Also I would drive than fly if you have the time to do it. When are driving you don't have too follow someone else schedule and you can see and do more on the trip.
I am with you.
We have been to the east coast, the west coast, and the north "coast" since we retired, all by car. Have yet to hit the south coast.
I would not have flown.
Waldo, I have drove thru almost all the states and now trying to get away to drive up to Alaska. But with the price of fuel and time required I doubt it will be this year.
Look up the Alaska ferry system. You might like what you see.
Yes, the idiocracy continues. I just got an e-mail from United Airlines and they will start charging $15 for the 1st checked bag on August 18th. I could understand the 2nd checked bag thing, but this is just pain WRONG. What's going to happen is that they are going to have more problems with security and people trying to sneak in liquids in their carry-ons because of this policy. They're slitting their own throats. I'm glad I don't have to fly very much anymore. I may even start driving to Denver when I have to go. My parents are on the way and I can visit them over the weekend and drive to Longmont for the week.
Airlines to crack down on oversize carry-ons
BY CHRIS KAHN
Associated Press
PHOENIX - Don't expect that bag to get a free ride for long.
Checked bags are now a moneymaker for US Airways, American Airlines and United Airlines, and officials say they're going to keep a closer watch on how much you take on board as they begin their new baggage fees.
The airlines point out that the carry-on policy came from the Federal Aviation Administration, not the industry, and they have an obligation to keep people from sneaking bulky bags onto planes to avoid fees. Not only is it unfair to the honest, fee-paying traveler, they say, but it would also overload the overhead bins and force gate crews to delay takeoffs while they checked excess bags.
But the added scrutiny means something else as well. Every passenger -- even those not used to checking bags -- is going to have to start following the rules.
If a passenger is stopped from boarding with an oversize carry-on, American will charge that passenger the $15 fee to check it at the gate. United has not decided how it will handle passengers with oversize carry-ons, and US Airways says its passengers can check those bags at the gate for free.
It may seem harsh but the fee was going to make its way to tickets one way or another. This way just gives you some control over how it effects you.
I may just be numb to the airline industry since I have logged around 100,000 frequent flier miles in the past year though :-\
Whew! Are your ears ever normal? ;D I'd be sick all the time if I flew that much. I always seem to catch something. I used to love to fly, not so much now that all the fun has been taken out of it. Even our tickets for San Antonio in Nov. have been changed. They have canceled some flights and now our time to change planes in Dallas has been cut to 45 min. I'll bet we can't make it since we are always late getting out of Philly and we have to go a long, long way to the next gate. Do any of you know if Dallas/Ft. Worth still has motorized carts? Al can't walk that far and wheelchairs are iffy with only 45 min. to work with.
Diane; depending on if you have a terminal change or not, but I think you can make it OK. They do have those motorized carts in Dallas that will meet you at the gate and drive you to the next one. If you have a terminal change, they have the... (looking for the term)... SkyRide; the train that goes from terminal to terminal above the buildings. I think if you let the stewards know, they can help with the wheelchair to get Al out of the plane, and then help you on to the cart.
Dustin; I know the fees would make it's way into the tickets, but I think I'd rather pay for a higher ticket than be griped with the fact of feeling nickle-and-dimed to death. I used to fly that much, but luckily I'm able to work from home more. I'm only about a once a month flier now. If they were smart, the airlines would have done the opposite and made everyone feel good... $25 off your ticket if you only check 1 bag, $40 off if you carry-on! Heck, it works well for Walmart... up the price and then have "Rollback" prices for a couple weeks to make people feel like they're getting a deal!
Thanks Tobina! Al's fine for short distances and on and off planes, but across large terminals is too much. I'll check and see if it's a terminal change. It's American Airlines.
Diane,
When I have had to fly......I never go anywhere that they don't go the wrong way first till they figure out what direction that we are suppose to go.
when I check in (buy ticket) I tell them I am disabled (true) and need help getting to the next gate.
I have been picked up by both a motor cart like a golf cart and at Ohare I had a young man meet my plane with a wheel chair and since the drivers/helper knew where I wanted to go, they just headed there and I had lots of time.
I think that if something were to happen they would hold the plane (that I am not sure of) but it does make a difference.
One time I didn't know I could ask, this might have been before Rhemotoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia raised its mighty head and had to run across the Houston air port and the gates could NOT have been anymore further apart unless one was in the Gulf and the other was Oklahoma.......LOL.
I did make the connection, but it wasn't funny. Also I was fairly healthy.
Tell them you need help and I think the airline I was on was Continental........and I can't remember the other.....but may have been one of the Frontier or Western airliners. I have found out it doesn't hurt to ask.........and it does hurt when you don't.
Happy traveling.
Judy
Judy, don't you hate to have to ask for help? I am still too independent and don't want to have to be helped. I must say though, there isn't any place I go that there isn't someone offering to hold a door for me or push me, or to just help in any way they can. What I like is to approach an automatic door the same time someone else does and offer to open the door for them.
I can identify will all of this! Ted is unable to walk a great distance. When we go to KU Med Center, they have fabulous handicapped Valet parking. You pull up a drive right in front of the door, they ask if you need a chair. They have ones with or w/o oxygen; there are people there to help with patient unload/load and gear load/unload. All are just great folks, and you see the same ones every time you go, so they must be well paid and treated. There is one area of the hospital I have trouble with the chair; it involves a long sharply ascending ramp that aggravates my rotarcuff 'ritis boy something fierce. We have started calling for someone from transportation to aid us. Those folks are outstanding also, now if the narrow doors in the old part of the hospital were as accomodating. And the cost for valet? A whopping $2.00, just went up from $1.00. Wow what a bargain dad!
Thanks for all the suggestions. Al has had to have help for years and has had few problems, but occasionally we've reserved transportation that never showed up between flights, or they had the wheelchair but I had to push it ( not that I mind, but I also had our two carry on's, Al's c-pap and my purse. By the time I piled all that on him, he was buried.) We used to take his scooter with us and have gate to gate arrangements, but once it was dropped from the loading belt and once it was raining and it got soaked while they were bringing up to him. Now we just rent one, as we will for San Antonio. It gets delivered to the bell captain and it's there on our arrival. We have a crane in the Honda so we can take the scooter with us on driving trips. HUP in Philly also has the valet parking, so we use it for his Post Polio visits. They will even on and off load his scooter for him if he's having a bad day. Wonderful people.
This about it the way it will be before long. ::)
Awesome Teresa, and it may not be as far fetched as one might think. We fly alot and I am so tired of cancelled, delayed flights, setting in airports, listening to everyone gripe and all the time knowing you won't make your connecting flight or make your meeting is no fun. I have traveled alot for 40 years and it is worse now than it was 40 years ago. Braniff was the worst I have ever seen and KLM Royal Dutch was the best.
THANKS FOR SHARING THIS
Gee, thanks folks! We've got that trip to San Antonio coming up in November....gulp. I've already got my supply of quarters for the pay toilet on board, and I memorized the safety rules so I won't have to pay for that. I understand you have to put dimes in the overhead slot for a reading light, so I'll have some by then, and I'll take my own book. I'll squeeze a few clothes in my roll on so I won't have to check anything and I'll put everything else in my big purse. ;D ;D ;D Bring it on!!!
We're going to be flying to Tulsa a week from Friday, from San Diego. Hopefully, our plane will leave on time, and we will arrive in Tulsa somewhere around the correct time. We will bring a sandwich with us, but have to buy the water in the airport, as those of you know, who fly a lot.
Quote from: Teresa on May 15, 2008, 04:06:06 PM
Just got here in Kentucky.. via 2 flights and a layover in Chicago.
As far as the flights..It was smooth and went without incident.
But.. without me knowing it..( until I checked into my hotel) they opened my suitcase.. breaking off one of my locking handles on the side of my NEW hard case suitcase.. apparently dumped all my contents out.. ( took out and disposed of my can of Comet that I always take cause I have a phobia of showers and bathtubs that are "not clean" ) and breaking some of my makeup .. smashing my hat ( that I had so gingerly packed with care) and literally wading everything back up and squishing it back in my suitcase.
You have no idea the fury I felt when I opened my suitcase and found what I found. ( with the slip of paper of course informing me of their search.. ) we all know that a new can of Comet is a very dangerous thing to have in the cargo section of a plane. WHATEVER!! >:(
If they wanted the damned can of Comet.. fine.. take it! I don't care about that... And to randomly search suitcases...? Fine.. Do it if that is what they feel they have to do...
But to dump everything back in all waded up ..take my cowboy hat and just crunch it all up and ruin it...and break my suitcase..and to be so rough as to break my powder and blush loose from the compacts is totally inexcusable. >:(
I am so sick of people not caring about anything that belongs to anyone.(http://www.cascity.com/howard/animations/grrr.gif)
Mad mad mad... that is what I am about this.
FIle a damage claim with the airline. Their responsible for damage to your stuff.
I did.. even thought they said it will do no good..
BOttom line... They said that they are NOT liable. (http://www.rightnation.us/forums/style_emoticons/default/erst060.gif)