US Airways to Charge $25 for Checked Baggage

[usc90grad]

1st bag free, 2nd bag $25..... :-x

Checking 2nd bag?
That will cost you $25

US Airways fee starts in May; other airlines may follow suit

February 27, 2008

Checking more than one bag for a US Airways flight? Be sure to check your wallet for $25. That's what the airline will charge for checking a second bag starting May 5.

And forget dodging the fee by packing one big suitcase. Bags weighing more than 50 pounds cost $50 each to check, while more than 70 pounds will set you back $100.

The fees are another sign of major airlines' growing movement to "a la carte" pricing, in which customers pay separate charges for certain services such as priority seating and food. Low-cost carriers already routinely charge such fees.

Not surprisingly, some travelers don't embrace the change.

Don Monteith of Charlotte, a regional manager for a staffing firm, called the fee "a real slap in the face." "It's another reason to drive and not fly on any trip you can do so," Monteith said via e-mail. "... Stop looking at ways to squeeze more money out of average people."

"Some critics may call this another example of airline customers being `nickel-and-dimed' for services that used to be provided as part of the flying experience -- food, entertainment and now bags," Kirby wrote to employees.

http://www.charlotte.com/business/story/511694.html

[The Dude]

or we can just expect the airlines to NOT compensate for the skyrocketing price of jet fuel, and then said-airlines will go under, and we will have less (to possibly no) choices as to which carrier we fly.

[usc90grad]

or we can just expect the airlines to NOT compensate for the skyrocketing price of jet fuel, and then said-airlines will go under, and we will have less (to possibly no) choices as to which carrier we fly.

Why not just raise your rates? Oh wait, they're doing that too.

Next up....can I get you a Coke? Yes? Okay that will be $1.50 please.

[Spur's Addiction]

Airline travel is such a pain in the ass now a days.

[The Dude]

Why not just raise your rates? Oh wait, they're doing that too.

Next up....can I get you a Coke? Yes? Okay that will be $1.50 please.

heres the alternative...

They can "nickle and dime" us, or they can just adjust ONE aspect (i.e. rates), yet at a much, MUCH, higher rate

In other words...would you rather be nickle and dimed, so that you could do without that Coke and not have to incur that cost, or they could just raise your rate by 80%, which you WONT have a choice on...

I understand the frustration, I'm just saying its better to nickle and dime us, so that people not wanting to be hit by the increased charge can just choose NOT to partake (in the case of this article, that would include packing lighter, less) rather than everyone being hit by a charge increase that they wont be able to choose to just "do without"

[ShutTheSuccop]

why shouldn't they raise rates? Their costs are escalating...every airline is on the verge of bankruptcy...I have no problems at all with what they are doing. I understand your contempt, but what do you expect them to do? They are a business and if you don't like their policies, fly another airline!

[Slacker USC]

So 90, what you're saying is that they should require everyone to subsidize those who demand and use more resources?

I think it makes all kinds of sense (especially for a non-luxury carrier) to charge extra for things not everyone wants. If you're packing light, and don't care for a drink; why should you have to pay for those who pack everything but the kitchen sink and expect drink service?

[The Dude]

I feel like we're having the same discussion as the one about our athletic dept.

people are just going to have to face it- inflation is out of control, and if things are to be paid for (i.e., businesses) prices and costs must increase.

Am I happy about it? No. But what other choice do we have? Whine and cry about it? Yeah, that will do a LOT of good.

[Slacker USC]

All that said, from a strictly business point of view, I think they're going about this the wrong way.

I think they would have less outcry by going to a "reward" model instead of a "penalty" model. If they'd quietly raised fares by $25, hardly anyone would notice or care. Then they could offer a "pack light" promotion where if you checked one bag or less, you received a $25 cash refund.

It'd be almost the same principle as owing money with your tax return vs. getting a refund. Ultimately you pay the same, but it FEELS better to get money back...

[Spur's Addiction]

Lesson here - get bigger luggage!

[Slacker USC]

Lesson here - get bigger luggage!

"And forget dodging the fee by packing one big suitcase. Bags weighing more than 50 pounds cost $50 each to check, while more than 70 pounds will set you back $100."

:oops:

[usc90grad]

why shouldn't they raise rates? Their costs are escalating...every airline is on the verge of bankruptcy

Actually USAIR's profit was up 41% in 2007 for a net income of $427 million. So they are hardly on the verge of bankruptcy.

http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=11508

[usc90grad]

All that said, from a strictly business point of view, I think they're going about this the wrong way.

I think they would have less outcry by going to a "reward" model instead of a "penalty" model. If they'd quietly raised fares by $25, hardly anyone would notice or care. Then they could offer a "pack light" promotion where if you checked one bag or less, you received a $25 cash refund.

It'd be almost the same principle as owing money with your tax return vs. getting a refund. Ultimately you pay the same, but it FEELS better to get money back...

Bingo....excellent idea. Thanks for understanding where I was going.

Now can you become CEO of USAir?

[IHateOrange]

I never check more than one bag anyway.

[Spur's Addiction]

Are they going to ensure that my bag does not get lost for 25 bucks?

[usc90grad]

Are they going to ensure that my bag does not get lost for 25 bucks?

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: <<< That's the reaction you will get from USAir.

[Spur]

I hate flying anyway

[Slacker USC]

Bingo....excellent idea. Thanks for understanding where I was going.

Now can you become CEO of USAir?

Heh, I think I'm overqualified.

[CoolCockyChick]

I rarely check a bag. Unless my trip will be for more than 3 nights, it's all carry-on for me. But I'm a Delta girl ...... USelessAir sucks

[Spur's Addiction]

Business trips less then 5 days I ussually do carry-on. But when I go on vacation often check one or 2 bags depending on lenght of stay and type of vacation.

Now with this rule, more people are going to take carry-ons, making the bins even more crowded. And my legs are long so I can't p[ut anything under the seat in front.

[The Dude]

I always do carry-on...even for 5 day business trips!

Most of my flights are connections anyway, so I get to take my laptop bag with me onto the plane, and my suitcase goes underneath the plane.
But I dont check...I like to know that my suitcase is with me up until the point when I get on the plane, and that I have it as soon as I get off of each plane.

I'll never trust the carriers to ensure that my luggage ends up the same place I do...too many occasions of getting assigned to a new plane, delayed, etc...and then wondering whether my bag will be there when i get there...

[Drunkeneskimofo]

I thought they were already doing this. I try to pack it all into 1 carry on anyways.

[ShutTheSuccop]

Actually USAIR's profit was up 41% in 2007 for a net income of $427 million. So they are hardly on the verge of bankruptcy.

http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=11508

Up 41% means nothing...if I make 1 dollar this year and 1.41 next year, my proftis are up 41%. Their net income of$427 million sems pretty dang small for an airline of that size...just my opinion. Besides, they have three planes go out of commission, that entire net income dissappears

[SwampFox]

I'd settle for the airlines not sodomizing us on airfares into or out of Columbia. I see no good reason why I should have to pay over 400.00 to fly from Tampa to Columbia while the airfares are less than half that to fly into Charlotte or Charleston.

[usc90grad]

I'd settle for the airlines not sodomizing us on airfares into or out of Columbia. I see no good reason why I should have to pay over 400.00 to fly from Tampa to Columbia while the airfares are less than half that to fly into Charlotte or Charleston.

I live in Charlotte and you can save a ton of money if you're willing to drive to Greensboro or Raleigh and fly out of there.

Case in point...USAir wanted $850.00 for a last minute flight direct from Charlotte to Syracuse. My wife had to attend a funeral and they no longer offer berevment fares.

I booked her on a flight from Raleigh to Syracuse for $250.00. And here's the kicker....the flight stopped in Charlotte going and coming back!!! So I drove her to Raleigh for the trip there....and then told her to get off the plane in Charlotte on the return flight and I would pick her up there.

That's why I HATE USAir.....they won't hesitate to screw you over big time if you live in places where they have a monopoly like Charlotte and Columbia.

[SwampFox]

That's why I HATE USAir.....they won't hesitate to screw you over big time if you live in places where they have a monopoly like Charlotte and Columbia.

The problem is that no airline has a monopoly in Columbia. But for some reason, they are all conspiring to overcharge for flights into or out of the place.

Is it in retalition for that fiasco called Air South? Is it because all Army basic training takes place at Ft Jackson? Has anyone here got an inside track as to why Columbia Metro sucks bigtime when it comes to airfares to or from certain areas?

[acejrock]

CAE has always been extremely expensive to fly in and out of.. anytime i fly i drive to charolette or atlanta to save hundreds (even after gas)

[SwampFox]

CAE has always been extremely expensive to fly in and out of.
Not like it is now. It used to be in line with other cities in the region, and not 200 - 300 bucks more expensive to get to like it currrently is. Even when there were only two carriers serving the airport (Delta and Eastern) prices were not all that bad.

I wish Independence had not folded. When they started flying into Columbia, the other carriers stopped overcharging and offered fares that were pretty reasonable.

I know they were trying to get Southwest to fly into Columbia. Whatever became of that?

[Spur's Addiction]

Greenville is just as bad. If I drive to Charlotte or Atlanta I can typically save about $200-300 bucks. When it's me an my wife thats about $500 saved on a trip.