From your friends at US Airways...

2nd checked bag? That will cost you

JEFFERSON GEORGE, Charlotte Observer.

US Airways announced today that it will charge customers $25 to check a second bag for flights, starting May 5.
The new fee, similar to one adopted by United Airlines three weeks ago, is intended to offset increased fuel prices, which have raised the airline's operating costs, US Airways said.
Passengers still will be able to check one bag free of charge. After the $25 fee for a second bag, checking a third or other additional bag will cost $100 per bag, the airline said.
The new fees don't apply to Dividend Miles Preferred members, first class and Envoy passengers, Star Alliance Silver and Gold members, active military personnel, unaccompanied minors and people checking assistive devices.
US Airways said about 8 percent of passengers checked a second bag.


Result?

More people bringing even more stuff into already overfilled luggage bins.

Stijloor.

From your friends at US Airways...

2nd checked bag? That will cost you

JEFFERSON GEORGE, Charlotte Observer.

US Airways announced today that it will charge customers $25 to check a second bag for flights, starting May 5.
The new fee, similar to one adopted by United Airlines three weeks ago, is intended to offset increased fuel prices, which have raised the airline's operating costs, US Airways said.
Passengers still will be able to check one bag free of charge. After the $25 fee for a second bag, checking a third or other additional bag will cost $100 per bag, the airline said.
The new fees don't apply to Dividend Miles Preferred members, first class and Envoy passengers, Star Alliance Silver and Gold members, active military personnel, unaccompanied minors and people checking assistive devices.
US Airways said about 8 percent of passengers checked a second bag.


Result?

More people bringing even more stuff into already overfilled luggage bins.

Stijloor.

How much to UPS or Fed-Ex a bag to your destination?
There's startup out there now arranging this service for travelers.

How much to UPS or Fed-Ex a bag to your destination?
There's startup out there now arranging this service for travelers.

Scott,

Here (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23033080/) is an article that describes this shipping service.

Stijloor.

Well, this is the natural evolution of an industry that is struggling to turn profits, it's not quite like the old days....

redJWzhQOdE

Hmm... What about a guarantee that your bag will arrive

1) at your destination
2) at the same time
3) without damage

I booked flights on Allegiant Air for my family trip in July...

1) reserve a seat --- extra
2) carry on luggage --- extra
3) permission to change your itinerary --- extra
4) food/drink during the flight ---- extra
5) headset to listen to music --- extra

and we accept it.......

Well, this is the natural evolution of an industry that is struggling to turn profits, it's not quite like the old days....


Ooooh, do I miss the the old days...:yes:

I looked forward to flying and being treated like a human being.

Maybe I need to lower my expections to a level that anything better than nothing will surprise me.:D

Stijloor.

I think so Stijloor. The airlines are becoming like an airborne bus service. But the bus has them beat in that the bags less often end up in some other state.

Or do they?

Hmm... What about a guarantee that your bag will arrive

1) at your destination
2) at the same time
3) without damage

I booked flights on Allegiant Air for my family trip in July...

1) reserve a seat --- extra
2) carry on luggage --- extra
3) permission to change your itinerary --- extra
4) food/drink during the flight ---- extra
5) headset to listen to music --- extra

and we accept it.......

Kees,

You are referring to a discount (no frills) airline.
That what you described, I believe, is to be expected.

However, I was referring to US Airways, where most customers have to pay "full-fare."

And even with US Airways...we have to accept it.

But that's the way it's going...not a darn thing we can do about it.

Stijloor.

Johannes,

You are right. Allegiant Air is a low cost carrier. After all the fees and gotcha's they turned out to be just a little cheaper than Northwest.

I greatfully remember the days (especially on european airlines) with dinner/wine/real silverware/coffee from real cups on short flights (about 1 hour duration).

With the state of the Industry it's common sense that flying will become an economy driven experience. Extremely high overhead costs mean these companies need to drastically reduce costs and essentially simplify every single process they can. The current systems are overly complex and enburdened.

Speaking for myself, I don't want to be pampered, I just want to get from point A to B with as little hassle as possible for a decent fare. Companies like Skybus (http://ask.skybus.com/about/skybus-story.shtml) are able to provide exactly that while operating at 1/3 the overhead costs of competitors, and therefore are able to offer more affordable ticket prices.

It's interesting really, I think the airline industry could use a few good quality folks to push lean/six sigma or similar processes into play in order to revamp a fat wasteful system into a lean profitable one. Problem is you're not going to find many good managers who want to join an industry where they'll likely be subject to salary cuts, high stress, and the risk of burnout....

Johannes,

You are right. Allegiant Air is a low cost carrier. After all the fees and gotcha's they turned out to be just a little cheaper than Northwest.

I greatfully remember the days (especially on european airlines) with dinner/wine/real silverware/coffee from real cups on short flights (about 1 hour duration).

Yeah, I knew about this perk, but I just flew "tourist" class.
We did get the silverware though, not the plastic utensils.
And the wine was substituted for FREE BEER.:drunk:

Stijloor.

Let's see, I'm in row 4 on a 777 going from Chicago to Dublin on American next month....coach fare ticket, I'm in row 3 coming home...You know, the seats that fully recline, with hot and cold running flight attendants, a nine course meal or two and the shopping center:lol:

I'm messing with you guys here (not about my seats though). Low cost airlines are just that, low cost and no frills. I can remember way back at the time everyone got an inflight meal, children got a pair of pilots wings, and the flight attendants wore those cute little hats. Those days are gone. With the advent of the various "Cattle Car" airlines expectations are lower and they are being realized. The average traveler going to see Mickey or meemaw once or twice a year just isn't going to see "Fly the friendly skies..." on many airlines.

I'm pretty fortunate because of my travels as are some others here, but cost cutting has impacted the business traveller as well. Fewer flights mean planes are more crowded and travel options have been reduced. Flying standby is iffy at times (I do very, very little of this) and getting upgrades out of some airports just ain't gonna happen (try Dulles and see).

We're probably going to see more "changes" in passenger accomodation as time goes on (standing room only) especially with fuel going through the roof.

I'm really expecting a meltdown this summer (no pun intended).

I flew Air Canada in December. We got free beer because the screens didn't work for 80% of the people on the flight (Air Canada has personal screens so you can pick what you watch). As I was flying back from vacation, I thought this was a good way to finish my vacation...err....until it took 45 minutes to get my baggage (it arrived just took forever to get it on the turnstile)

For you non-Canadians, Air Canada is the full-fare airline - they run a discount airline called Jazz. We aren't hit as hard as the US as we have a limited # of airlines (there is Air Canada and WestJet that are national).

Isn't flying fun? ;)

I flew Air Canada in December. We got free beer because the screens didn't work for 80% of the people on the flight (Air Canada has personal screens so you can pick what you watch). As I was flying back from vacation, I thought this was a good way to finish my vacation...err....until it took 45 minutes to get my baggage (it arrived just took forever to get it on the turnstile)

For you non-Canadians, Air Canada is the full-fare airline - they run a discount airline called Jazz. We aren't hit as hard as the US as we have a limited # of airlines (there is Air Canada and WestJet that are national).

Isn't flying fun? ;)

I have my Air Canada card............

I'm certainly not old enough to reminisce about the "good ol' days," but I can definitely see the difference between US and non US carriers.

I took a trip to Australia with my girlfriend recently and we did a lot of city-hopping. We flew one hour from Melbourne to Adelaide on Qantas and got a hot breakfast - eggs, potatoes, the whole nine yards. Around here, I'm lucky if I get peanuts flying cross-country.

I'm certainly not old enough to reminisce about the "good ol' days," but I can definitely see the difference between US and non US carriers.

I took a trip to Australia with my girlfriend recently and we did a lot of city-hopping. We flew one hour from Melbourne to Adelaide on Qantas and got a hot breakfast - eggs, potatoes, the whole nine yards. Around here, I'm lucky if I get peanuts flying cross-country.

Hi Domingue,

Just for contrast...:D

We flew (5 hours) from Salt Lake City to Anchorage yesterday evening on Delta.

Here is a listing of what was in the (complimentary) "snack pack."

4 Crackers (small)
1 Cheese spread (small)
1 packet raisins (small)
2 Oreo Cookies (small)
1 paper towelette (small)
1 plastic knife (small)Luckily, we already had some dinner at the SLC airport....:yes:

Stijloor.

With the hassles of getting though airport security, plane delays, fewer direct flights & more transfers, the joys of fully packed planes with seats reduced in size and spacing between rows reduced as well (I'm 6' 3" and 240 lbs) taking a plane is no longer enjoyable - even when paying full price for fares.

Fifteen years ago, my personal coin toss as to drive or fly was 5 hours. Less than that I'd drive nearly 100% of the time. More than that I'd fly nearly 100% of the time. Now that time has increased to 8 or 9 hours, even for business purposes. For personal choices, I almost always drive on vacations - even when the drive time to get there is about 25 hours. Of course, as a lot of my vacations involve historical reenactments of the Seven Years War ( French & Indian War) time frame or hunting and require equipage as well as being in locations not convenient to airports I end up driving.

IMO "Low Cost Carrier" is a marketing myth. I've never priced a Southwest flight that would be cheaper than what I would get on Northwest. I've also seen charters sell much higher than an advanced ticket price on legacy airlines. Spirit is the same way out of DTW, and they hit your for the add on charges too. I'm sure at times they are cheaper, but they are not ALWAYS cheaper as so many people think.

The other issue I have with them is route network and interline agreements. I've read several complaints on travel forums about Skybus stranding people for hours/days. I'm in no way surprised since I think they have a total of nine planes. It is tough to recover from a delay when you don't have alternatives, and they won't interline with anyone. Legacies can reroute you through dozens of cities and will even be willing to put you on other carriers.

As a frequent flier I will also not give up the perks and will pay more for it. I flew to Seattle last week. It was a free ticket thanks to Citibank points. A two minute call to the elite line got me a voucher for $60 when the price dropped from what Expedia originally booked it at. Upgrades cleared seven days out. Fast secuity line.

The new baggage charges will never affect me. I only check a bag as a last resort, and have never checked two.

We are required to use a travel service for all out flight bookings and American just seems to have the best all around fares and schedules for me. I'll make anywhere between 100 to 150 total flights per year and only one or two will be on any other airline....My trip to the UK is requiring me to fly Aer Lingus from Dublin to Birmingham back to Dublin and the rest of the trip is American to and from Fort Smith.

IMO "Low Cost Carrier" is a marketing myth. I've never priced a Southwest flight that would be cheaper than what I would get on Northwest.

Perhaps marketing themselves as cheaper than the other guy is a Myth, most advertising is smoke and mirrors...however there is a big difference between the airlines you've cited. Northwest is in chapter 11 and doesn't expect to turn profit until the end of the year, meanwhile Southwest is pulling in profit. While both offer similar ticket pricing it is Northwest that is struggling to restructure their business model to something more similar to a "low cost carrier" type of business and the majority of airlines are following as well.

The unfortunate side of it is that these businesses are shedding comfort, convenience, and cutting worker wages in order to meet their financial objectives and stay competetive within the industry. So the stark truth of the matter is that travelling in the US will be the equivalent of traveling on an economy bus company, unless you're willing to pay a much higher premium.

I think of the "low cost carrier" as the Walmart of the skies.....once it moves into your neighborhood it's difficult to find anywhere else to buy what they sell.