 MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211727
05/21/08 08:06 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 522
Luke
OP
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In addition to the recent $25 fee for your "second" checked bag, American Airlines announced more changes this morning:
"Today, American Airlines introduced a $15 fee for the first checked bag , given the increasing costs of transporting checked baggage. This fee, which is effective for tickets purchased on or after June 15, does not apply to: American's AAdvantage program members who have achieved AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Executive Platinum level; those who have purchased full-fare tickets in the Economy, Business and First Class cabins; and those with international itineraries (except to and from Canada and U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).
American also said today that it has increased its fees for certain other services, ranging from reservation service fees to pet and oversized bag fees. The increases mostly range from $5 to $50 per service. The company estimates that new and increased fees announced this month will generate several hundred million dollars in incremental annual revenue."
Another website summarized the new/revised fees
Change Fees
Domestic Change Fee*
$150.00 – Check Fare Rules Display
International Change Fee*
$150 - $300 – Varies by market and fare
Ticketing Fees
Res Service Fee
$20.00
External Res Handling Fee – Itinerary Change
$20.00
Airport Service Fee
$30.00
Travel Center Fee
$30.00 – per PNR
AAdvantage Fees
AAdvantage Change Fee
$150.00
Res AAdvantage Service Fee
$20.00
AAdvantage Reinstatement Fee
$150.00
Baggage/Pet Fees
Oversize Bag Fee
$150.00
Checked Pet Fee
$150.00
Pet in Cabin Fee
$100.00
Other Value Added Service Fees
Unaccompanied Minor
$100.00
* Effective for tickets issued on/after May 21, 2008
Luke
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211728
05/21/08 08:46 AM
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Joined: Jan 1970
Posts: 15,171
KarenS
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How annoying to be charged for one bag! Even more annoying, I have to fill that bag with heavy liquids that should go in my carry on, leaving little room for clothes.
Karen
Live long and prosper
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211729
05/21/08 09:09 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 934
RPM
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Let us hope that only American planes will do this and not the International airlines.Talk about money grabbers!!! But you can bet the others will do it as well.
Wouldn't you know it I just reserved a 4 day get away to New York City for November.Better book our Air Canada seats now.Better yet only pack and check 1 bag....ya right!!! lol.
Pat and Ray
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211730
05/21/08 09:37 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084
petlover
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Daughter, S-I-L and grandson Nicky often fly AA from San Jose down to OC. The ONLY good news for them is at least they won't charge for car seat or stroller! Maybe it's time to switch to Southwest but maybe they'll start this too!
Marcie 
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211731
05/21/08 09:53 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658
cruisinfanatic
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Charging for one bag? Guess they think we don't need to have any clothes or such. Just going to increast what people try to carry on. And all this so we can have horrible service, nothing to eat, barely a soft drink or water, and seats so small and cramped you can hardly move when your flight is over!! Hooray!
JoAnn 
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211732
05/21/08 11:15 AM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 331
TallShip
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Starting last friday, Air Canada added on a $120 fuel surcharge per domestic ticket for flights longer than 1,600 km.
Sigh....
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211733
05/21/08 11:57 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 934
RPM
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Wow!!! Just read about the charges....Nothing we can do about it I guess and Oil hit over $133.00 a barrel today. Maybe its time the ordinary people rise up and ask our leaders what they as well as we can do.
No trips...no cruises...yuck....no life.
OK just kidding,but it is out of control. Can there really be a fuel shortage? Or is it a production/refinery shortage.
Pat and Ray
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211734
05/21/08 12:06 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352
Marc
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Originally posted by RPM:
Can there really be a fuel shortage? Or is it a production/refinery shortage. The price of unrefined crude is what hit $133; not a production or refinery shortage. Sure would be nice to up the supply of crude. ;)
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211735
05/21/08 12:24 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 524
Canadagal
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You talk about gouging! But also now with the added 1 checked bag fee...you just watch and see how hard it will be to get any space in the overhead bins for carry-ons in economy.
Pat
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211736
05/21/08 01:25 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,215
adrenn
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European airlines have been charging much higher taxes than US airlines .. at the end of the day, it's all about the total cost, not the individual components.
If TV is to be believed, it's due in part to real, increased demand for oil. China, India, et al are huge and growing by leaps and bounds for several years. They need energy, too. American use of oil has dropped .. but there are 300 Million of us and 1.4 Billion and 1.1 Billion respectively of them. We can't make that much of a dent if groups that large are increasing consumption.
So .. around the globe, we all pay more for energy. How much is speculation in the markets? Anyone's guess, but if the underlying demand is rising, prices will stay higher than we like.
Anne
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211737
05/21/08 02:21 PM
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Betty
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The one I'm worried about is the speculation that some airlines are going to start charging more for window or aisle seats sometime this summer. I'm doomed. :eek:
Betty
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211738
05/21/08 02:44 PM
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jhp
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Oh, Betty, USAIR has already done that for the first few rows of the planes! I see it everytime I go to their site to book seats! Those seats are up "for sale" for a premium!
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211739
05/21/08 03:06 PM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 538
wishIwerecruisin
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I was on Northwest a few weeks ago, and it had attached a surcharge of $15-$25 to move from my nasty middle seat to a window or aisle. And they were tricky--the diagram showed a $25 fee aisle seat that showed the middle seat next to it empty. As it was a cross-country flight, I bit the bullet and paid the $25 for that aisle seat. When I boarded, you guessed it--someone was in the middle seat. And, she'd been booked in that middle seat for weeks.
The bothersome thing about the latest AA move is not so much the $15. It's that it means that even more people will bring big old rolling suitcases on board, which increases the competition for overhead space, which means more rushing to board first, slower boarding, more discomfort and angrier passengers and crew. I'd rather they just raise the fare.
Fundamentally, I'm through with AA.
On oil prices, I've been reading that the real problem has nothing to do with production or even demand. It has to do with how speculators playing the futures market have driven up the cost artificially. As bad as the prices are, and apparently are going to become, economists fear that there's a massive and sudden burst in the prices somewhere in the future--one that would send the economy into the kind of tailspin that the real estate market problems have created. I'm no economist, and have no idea if this is true or not, but I've seen it in a couple of different sources now.
Crystal
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211740
05/21/08 03:19 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 240
Island Cruiser
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This is the wave of the future! Airline personnel fly too. They know how miserable coach middle seats can be. United has been selling their first rows with extra leg room for a premium. Isle seats will be next. Then it will be the more foward you sit the more you pay. It may take some legislation--and I hate suggesting this--to require the airlines to make accommodations at an extra price to accommodate very large passengers so that they don't occupy the seat room of their fellow passengers. Enough is enough. I should have at least the right to sit alone in the cramped coach seat I purchased. (I know. I just changed the subject a bit.) Remember when flying was part of the treat of a vacation? Pat
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211741
05/21/08 03:55 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,658
cruisinfanatic
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I'm with you Pat - I remember as a "stewardess" when that was a prestigious job and flying was a pleasure for both the passengers as well as the crew!! Oh boy are those days long gone!
JoAnn
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211742
05/21/08 04:04 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 672
FDV72
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They had the CEO of British Airways on CNBC this morning and he stated that there fuel bill for last year was 4 billion, and for this coming year it will exceed 6 billion. Between dealing with TSA and all the airlines little fee's, all the benefits that have been taking away from the air traveler is getting to the point of Steerage class on the Titantic. I watched some of the hearings this morning also which the oil companies testified before Senate and they stated they do not have a supply problem, so Speculation is playing a huge part of this problem.
In the past on longer flights when no upgrades were available, I would sometimes buy an extra seat if was reasonable just to avoid getting stuck in the middle.
I just wish more cruises left out of Boston:
FV
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211743
05/21/08 05:08 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,210
Pam
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On our way home on Monday, we went to the President's Club in the A terminal at Newark; it's in the "hallway" created by the security stuff. As we came out of the PC, a woman was getting a secondary search of her carryon bag; the TSA agent pulled out a BIG bottle of cologne/perfume as we passed. I have no idea what else the lady had to forfeit, but she was within my line of vision as we waited to board and she was NOT happy.
That terminal, with all its Continental Express flights, was a zoo. Add in occasional flyers who get to the airport and are suddenly faced with more fees and decide to carry on instead of checking. They have big tubes of toothpaste, aerosol cans of deodorant, bottles of shampoo/conditioner/hair spray, you get the picture.
Plan to get to your original point of departure even more in advance; the security lines are going to be nightmarish.
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211744
05/22/08 10:45 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,512
azgkrudi
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All this talk reminds me of how I roll my eyes everytime a flight begins and the crew says (after the emergency exit rundown), "Just sit back and enjoy the flight." Unless in biz or first, it's pretty tough to "sit back and enjoy" a flight.
And then there's the "We do realize that you have a choice in airlines...so thank you for choosing ____ Airlines." Most of us don't have a choice these days because we are either bound to one airline because of FF status, or we have to fly a certain airline because of their schedule/home airport/etc.
Just my little rant...
Kristin
Paul Gauguin's Tere Moana-12/14
Voyager-10/08, 11/10
Navigator-05/07, 5/09, 10/11
Paul Gauguin-6/06, 12/07
Silver Shadow-12/06
Silver Whisper-11/05, 12/04
Silver Wind-4/04
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211745
05/23/08 03:49 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 524
Canadagal
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Island Cruiser, that got me to thinking about when stews were called "air hostesses" and how they were dressed in a suit with a Jackie Kennedy pillbox hat, 4 inch heels, pearls and white gloves. People were treated with respect by the airlines and were served real food on real china, linen and given copius amounts of good champagne. All male pax boarded with a suit and tie, woman with armani type suits and children looked like they were dressed for church. I don't think we need to go back to that extreme but I sure miss the luxury of how travel used to be just before the early 70's. That's before the cattle car mentality emerged.
Yes, I know I'm showing my age but there was something special about the luxury era of travel.
Pat
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211746
05/24/08 05:52 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,415
Wandra
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Yes, I remember in high school aspiring to be a "stew" was considered one of those modern, with-it careers (until you married one of the pilots, of course!)
Fuel costs are up--I believe the airlines should be reflecting those costs in their fare. Period.
Wendy
------
Booked: Uniworld Egypt, 2015
Tauck Amsterdam to Budapest, 2016
Paul Gauguin, Societies & Tuamotus 2016
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211747
05/24/08 06:29 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,275
Jim B
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This defeats the "self check in" if you have a check ed bag because you will need to go to the ticket counter and "pay" your $15 for the bag.
Another slow down now at the ticket counters! :mad:
Jim 
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211748
05/24/08 07:01 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 934
RPM
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Wow didn't think of that Jim....you're right...more slowdown.
Pat and Ray
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211749
05/24/08 08:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2006
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larry1365
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No...you will be able to use the kiosk. They will just use the charge the credit card you use to log onto the self-check-in kiosk.
Alternatively, if you use curbside check-in, the porter will take your credit card. But one article I read said you'll still have to pay the $2 bag charge (if there is one) and the gratuity in cash.
Larry
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211750
05/24/08 08:46 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,275
Jim B
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Oh that is right Larry.
I forgot that you have to put a credit card in the machine. Yea when it asks how many checked bags.the meter will start ringing!!
Jim
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211751
05/24/08 01:07 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,646
ChatKat...
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Maybe they'll wise up and ask you when you buy your ticket and you can prepay.
VOYAGER:
MC to FLL 11/07
MC/Dover 6/06
MARINER:
BCN / Ven 10/11
Alaska 2001|2006
Panama Canal 2003
NAV
Caribbean 11/06
Bermuda|New Eng/Canada 6/04
PG 5/05
OCEANIA
Nautica |Ist/Athens 6/07
Regatta|Baltics 6/08
Riviera 2013 Crossing -Istanbul to Miami
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211752
05/24/08 01:20 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,210
Pam
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When we did the online checkin for Continental last week, they asked for number of checked bags for each passenger. I never saw any result from it, but they have the mechanics in place, anyway.
When I buy my ticket, I have no idea how many bags I might be taking.
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211753
05/25/08 04:49 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,275
Jim B
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Oh I just thought of a positive.
Since nobody else will be checking their bags
but you check yours just think.
Your bags will be all alone so won't get damaged,
and they will be at baggage claim very quickly.
:D
Jim
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211754
05/25/08 06:13 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,395
southernlady
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Although I hate the idea of paying for checking bags, from now on, it's going to be a travel fact of life and will probably spread to the rest of the airline world. I have a theory that they take turns introducing unpleasant changes so that no one airline takes the brunt.
As far as I'm concerned, this is a rate increase and I'm going to think of it as such, pay it and check my bag. But, I will be learning how to pack lightly from here on out!
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211755
05/25/08 11:03 AM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 934
RPM
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Hand Jim some lemons and he makes lemonade...
Pat and Ray
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211756
05/25/08 01:29 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 475
Colleen
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I totally agree with Crystal
"The bothersome thing about the latest AA move is not so much the $15. It's that it means that even more people will bring big old rolling suitcases on board, which increases the competition for overhead space, which means more rushing to board first, slower boarding, more discomfort and angrier passengers and crew. I'd rather they just raise the fare."
And it's not like I have a lot of choices in air carriers out here in the boonies.
Colleen
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211757
05/25/08 01:39 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,303
Kathy Z
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This sounds like a fuel surcharge by another name. As was pointed out by a local news report of American Airlines' new policy we (Americans) are getting larger and the combined weight of ourselves and our luggage contribute to poorer fuel economy. With the cost of fuel continuing to climb this is another way for the airlines to try to cover the extra expense. If the true driver to this change has more to do with paying baggage handlers etc. than ignore the rest of my little rant that follows.
What doesn't seem fair is that a tiny person (our dear Karen S., for example) will have to pay for each checked bag (those heavy liquids being banned from her carry-on) while she may be squeezed next to some large person on the plane that crammed their carry-on in the available space overhead. Now, I know that there are not many of us that would like to be weighed in public, and that this might violate our civil rights, but it's an idea. One of my sisters weighs about 90#. She would have to pay $15 to check her first (up to 50#) bag. That is only 140# total. If this checked bag fee is a fuel surcharge it is not fair across the board.
Kathy
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211758
05/26/08 04:16 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,415
Wandra
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Kathy, we got weighed once when we were flying to the Bahamas. Not a pleasant experience.
But they *could* at least start weighing all of our luggage (everything!), and applying the surcharge based on that--then perhaps the checked versus carry-on distinction would be less of a hassle. I would not mind that at all.
Or maybe we should all go on diets? :cool:
Wendy
------
Booked: Uniworld Egypt, 2015
Tauck Amsterdam to Budapest, 2016
Paul Gauguin, Societies & Tuamotus 2016
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211759
05/26/08 05:06 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,303
Kathy Z
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Now that I think of it, we've been asked our weight several times before flights on smaller aircraft such as helicopter flightseeing in both Hawaii and Alaska. Apparently, as long as you looked like you were telling them something close to real that was good enough for them.
Kathy
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Re: MORE airline fees for checked baggage, etc.
#211760
05/26/08 07:36 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,646
ChatKat...
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I am not a petite person and yes size 14 clothes use more fabric than a size two. Someone who is too big for the standard seats should buy two tickets and not impose on the person next to them. Of course, the airlines are also at fault because they are squeezing even petite people in like sardines. We got stuck from Athens to Atlanta with one middle seat and one aisle seat. The people in front of us reclined the entire flight and we could barely use the tray table in the middle seat on Delta. We were ticketed late and couldn't get side seats due to winning the cruise with airfare. Usually we ticket when the flights open for booking.
Part of the weight issue with small planes is they put fuel in based on a combinations the weight of the plane - people and cargo and it's distance being flown. Helicopters and small planes are more sensitive.
Kathy, your idea of it being a fuel charge is not really correct - it's just a way for the airlines to raise prices on already ticketed passengers. There is a fuel charge on the ticket. It would also be discrimination because most males weigh more than females. They could use the measuring stick for height based passengers too.
VOYAGER:
MC to FLL 11/07
MC/Dover 6/06
MARINER:
BCN / Ven 10/11
Alaska 2001|2006
Panama Canal 2003
NAV
Caribbean 11/06
Bermuda|New Eng/Canada 6/04
PG 5/05
OCEANIA
Nautica |Ist/Athens 6/07
Regatta|Baltics 6/08
Riviera 2013 Crossing -Istanbul to Miami
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