Comments on: American Airlines Charging Fee For Checked Baggage

By: deepali

deepali — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:24:51 +0000

I think it makes sense to charge for the extra weight, even if it sucks. And casual travelers are more likely to get cheap flights, so it evens out for the businessman paying full price but with no luggage.
As a single adult, I have to admit, I’m not super sympathetic. I have to deal with colleagues and other people with kids getting special concessions all the time (and nothing similar for people without kids). So, eventually it all evens out anyway.

Flying used to be expensive. It used to be an experience. We’ve just forgotten about this because everything is so cheap now. But the price has to be paid by someone somewhere….

By: James

James — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:15:09 +0000

Pretty smart thinking there. I hope more people read and absorb this.

By: Marelisa

Marelisa — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:46:20 +0000

I think it all comes down to fuel prices. Until they come up with a good alternative souce (like sugar ethanol in Brazil) life is just going to get more and more expensive.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:02:44 +0000

Another large group of people affected by this will be seamen. I used to work on ships and I would be onboard anywhere from six to twelve months at a time. When you’re signing on for so long, you need to cart around a lot of stuff. I used to carry uniforms, both for day and evening, as well as street clothes. Obviously, by the time you get shoes, underwear, swimsuits, jackets, etc together you have a lot of stuff. Then you have to pack up your hairdryer, curling iron, makeup, toiletries (always have the large containers and backups for when you aren’t any place to buy replacements in a hurry). Then there are the things that make life tolerable - your Bible, CD player and CD’s, hobby type things, a couple decorative items to make your little metal box more homey. At one point I traveled with my sewing machine and supplies. You get the picture. Lots of baggage and when you were returning from workbreak or vacation, the money wasn’t often in abundance. When I went back home on break, I usually had even more luggage, since I had the opportunity to buy some unique items for gifts (and self) at good prices. My, this turned out to be very wordy, but you get the picture. There’s a lot of people out there from all over the world other than those on vacation who have to use air transportation in conjunction with their livelihood.

By: Emily R

Emily R — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:37:53 +0000

Ooh, I completely agree! We’ve decided to pretty much quit travelling altogether. Very Special Events only.

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:50:15 +0000

Classic case…It’s always the consumers or the little guys that already don’t have the money who will get hit hard with all these nickle and diming stuff.

By: Momma @ Tales From the Road Less Traveled

Momma @ Tales From the Road Less Traveled — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:32:19 +0000

I think you make some very good points. Since we have so many children, we have yet to travel all together by plane, but that day is coming I’m sure. With the costs associated with travel of all types these days, I think many people will start opting to stay home.

Thanks for the insightful post.

By: Marie

Marie — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:16:12 +0000

This fee is making me very irritated too! Most people who are flying are traveling….which means, yes, they are going to have LUGGAGE. It’s not usually a day trip where luggage isn’t needed, you know? I can see charging for a second bag- maybe. But the first one?? Come on. Thankfully, I am closer to “home” these days and I don’t see any air travel in my near future…

By: Melanie

Melanie — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:04:19 +0000

This is Extremely irritating! We are flying British Airways most of the way but will have one commuter flight using American Eagle…curious if this will effect that flight. Our tix were almost $4K…I will be so angry if I have to pay that mess. Thanks for posting…will be researching on my family’s behalf. I agree with you also by the way…across the board not isolated.