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Comment: American Airlines first to charge for all checked bags
American Airlines, the world’s largest airline, plans to charge $15 for a passenger’s first checked bag, starting in mid-June.
The airline is trying to claw back more of its extra fuel costs but the move is unprecedented for a major American carrier. (More on American’s cost-cutting measures here). Will this lead to even more of a struggle boarding the plane as passengers force their bags into overhead bins? What impact will American’s move have on air travel in the U.S.?
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This is a very bad idea. All this means is we will pay extra for all our bags to be checked all the time, not just in a fuel crunch. They are trying to create another stream of income with a traditionally free service=. I wish they would just incorporate the fuel charges into the tickets as they have before.Loading the Cabin will be chaos. Will they charge us if there is no room for our carry on and it has to be checked in. Flying is already stressful you have to fight to get on the plane first to stow you bags. Watch out for more confrontations and delays loading the planes.I hope this fails and they just go back to the old way.
Not fair – if we can’t put certain things in carryons due to security regulations, AA knows they can get away with this. I’ll probably cut out some leisure travel (and certainly not look to AA for that first – they’ve been one of the most expensive options for the last few years, anyway). But maybe use them for some biz travel.I can’t see where this would help AA very much, unless they are counting on a certain number of biz/premier customers who aren’t price-sensitive. But then I don’t think these frequent travelers would have to pay the new fees anyway. So I don’t really get it.
This will lead to a hand luggage overcrowding nightmare. I’m booked on American in late June – will change my plans to avoid this.
We’re all hurting – my husband’s been laid off, and we have to pay high ground fuel prices too. This is American’s worst “stick it to the passenger” yet. In Dallas/Ft. Worth, you do NOT have a choice of carriers for many routes and American knows it and acts like it. This will be a nightmare for check-in and will cause many people not to fly. Had I not booked 3 tickets (prior to June start of fees) for Thanksgiving travel, I would be flying ANYONE other than American, even if it mean one or more stops en route. Time to cut the top people’s salaries and bonuses and find a way to let us all help each other through this crunch rather than putting the burden on their lesser-paid employees and ordinary passengers.
This is absolutely outrageous!!! They started with the airbuses and sitting pretty much the double of people they used to carry, then they were charging the food, they also took away the snacks and had the nerve to start charging headphones and even water (in some carriers), and now you have to pay to bring luggage?They should be finding ways to be more cost-effective w/o touching their own clients, don’t you think?
I guess I bought my tickets just in time – before the second bag charge – and now the first bag charge – came along. We bought tickets in late March for a flight on May 27th. This is nuts! Given the choice I certainly would use another airline before I would allow this one to nickel-and-dime me to death. All the extra charges companies face cannot always be passed on to the consumer. Bite the bullet and lower your profits, for Pete’s sake.
I have a problem with any flat cost-per-bag scheme. I usually travel light, and to have someone with a sixty lb. suitcase pay the same rate as my ten lb. bag is quite maddening. The airlines already weigh checked luggage, so why not give a certain amount free and then charge based on the overage? Of course then it’s also fair to ask why taller/fatter people don’t pay more for their seats in the first place.
Am completely shocked. Do I understand a charge for a second bag? Yes. Overweight bags? Yes. But the whole point of travel is to visit somewhere and you need to bring a bag! I will not be flying American at all anymore. What next? OH! How about we charge by the pound? Oxygen? You need to purchase our special oxygen surcharge. This is greed and gouging at it’s very lowest. I would rather see flying become to expensive then continue to be treated like cattle. And what happens when they lose the baggage I’ve been charged for? Are they going to replace the full cost? From now on I am photographing everything! STUPID IDEA. There should be a passenger strike called. Let’s all boycott American Airlines.
If I thought I was going to get better handling of my bag, along with a better guarantee of getting it back at the end of the flight, I would pay to have it checked. I think a better idea would be to charge for additional bags beyond the first, and to charge $100 for those carry-on bags that are bigger than my car — the ones that take two people to lift up, and three to force the bin open far enough to take it.If they are basing this charge on the idea that some people bring more weight, then we all better step on the scale before boarding, too. That way I’ll get a partial refund from that chubby American next to me that takes up half of my seat anyway.
I am a AA Platinum mamber & this news is sure to make me take my business elsewhere. As such their Customer Service is annoying now this makes is worse. Bye Bye AA, your time is over.
Paying to check luggage does not come as much of a surprise. Last year I traveled about 75,000 miles and have to say I only checked a bag probably three or four times, and that was only because I was carrying things that could not be brought on board in hand luggage. There is nothing worse than getting off the plane and then waiting, at hubs possibly for an hour, to get luggage. One would hope that people would consider bringing less items when they travel knowing that it will cost to check it in; however, I suspect this will simply embolden people to bring even larger bags on board and attempt to stuff them into the overheads. Lose/lose situation
Prediction…a major US carrier will offer special curb weight pricing sometime between Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays, show up at the counter, step onto the scale, with your bag(s) in hand and your ‘curb weight’ will have a bearing on your ticket price.www.hubdub.com
I have been a frequent flier with AA almost exclusively since the late 80s. If this baggage charge is implemented I will take my business elsewhere. This plan is an outrage and whoever dreamed it up should have their head examined. Now everyone is going to try to carry on EVERYTHING. There will be boarding delays and very angry customers when all of the luggage won’t fit. Any additional fuel and overhead cost should be reflected in the ticket price, NOT in charges for traditionally free services like checking a bag. I am aghast.
Air Canada offers a price reduction if you DON’T check bags or decide NOT to earn aeroplan miles.It’s a different way of making those who check bags pay, but I find it very interesting.
I think using high fuel prices as the excuse is not acceptable. The reality with the airline industry is that they need to look inward and restructure their business plan, negotiate with unions (and unions back with carriers), learn how to adapt to changes in the market, figure out a way to become more effective business, (this by the way is something that all the business in this country are doing, figuring out ways of becoming more efficient and continue to keep good standards of customer service). When did it become okay to treat customers with such disregard, are we okay with lowering service standards to such a low?. When does the trend of creating new fees stop? Enough is enough. Are Airlines and their baggage handlers going to guarantee better service, no more lost luggage and fast delivery of checked luggage? If the answer yes, then maybe a fee would be justified, but to impose a fee without providing basic good service is not good business practice.
I’m already sick of the airlines nickle and diming everyone. It started with charging people for headphones. Then for food. You don’t even get a sandwich on a coast to coast flight. Then they wanted to charge for the inconvenience of having our 4th amendment protections violated with an uncomfortable time consuming search. Now they want to charge you for the gas and for the privilege of bringing your clothing with you. This is like buying a car, and being told you have to pay extra for the tires. My guess is next they’ll charge a cover and a two drink minimum for the pre-flight safety show.I will make it a point not to fly American airlines. I expect service to be included for my hard-earned money and I shouldn’t have to pay extra for it.
How much more do they wantThe flight that I take all the time at $209.00 is now $289.00 – And they want to charge me for my first bagbooooooooooooooooo —– SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE!!!!TKTK53
They should charge extra for fat people and give discounts for smaller and slimmer people. Charging for luggage bags checked seems to be perfectly practical if there’s an upside for those who travel light. They should charge for carry on too.
Basic rule of thumb: people respond to incentives. With this new charge, you will see an exponential increase in the size and amount of carry-ons which will now fill up cabin space. People will pack more conservatively and try to get everything they can into the carry-on, creating a lot more problems in flying satisfaction with more cramped spaces. AA needs to pore over their business model, fuel efficiencies, and perhaps increase investment in some R&D or consulting to decrease their costs. I understand fuel is more expensive, but this sort of trend will not bode well for their current customers.
Bad dog,AA, Bad dog! Airlines are replacing lawyers as the most hated industry in the world. Absolutely useless and the least customer friendly industry on the planet.
What’s next, pay toilets?
Frankly, I don’t care if I ever fly again. It’s nothing but a glorified bus ride anymore, with terrible service, late arrivals, crammed seating, being treated like a criminal at the offset and having to bring ones own food and drink onboard and paying more for the “privilage” is not my idea of customer service in a customer service oriented business.From now on I’ll take a bus. It may take longer but at least I get a smile from the driver and I know what to expect for the money.
Whaaa,whaa,whaa. Americans are spoiled. Ride a real airline.
Just two days ago I flew AA from all the way from JFK to LAX. Cost of ticket (Economy) was $949.00AA did not allow me with the option to pick the seats I wanted as for $949.00 you can only book a “restricted” ticket and in order to pick an “isle” seat which is now considered as a “premium” seat you are required to buy a “full fare” ticket.AA do not offer a $0.10 snack on this 6 hours flight. AA makes you purchase food (if you can afford buying it). AA charges $10.00 for a sandwich, $3.00 for a Cookie or tin of Crisps. AA no longer offer water bottles to Economy passengers but only to Business or First passengers.There is no leg room on AA flights. AA don’t care. They become greedier and greedier as days go by. The equipment (the planes) is old and under maintained.AA’ Business/Business First classes are not much better. That applies to both Domestic and International flights I flew American with.Today’s “ruling” was the straw that broke the camel’s back. At least for me. There are plenty of options out there. AA lost my vote and my money. I am moving on and would only hope that very many other business travelers will follow suit. Enough is enough.
Aren’t I already paying for the small service of baggage check when I purchase the ticket? Are they next going to charge me for the overhead bin and unbuckling of my seatbelt? The price squeezing is getting out of control!
Now let’s review how we got here. Prior to 1978 we had airline regulation and a relatively stable airline industry. So called leading economists of that era argued that regulation by the Civil Aeronautics Board had led to inefficiencies and higher costs, and so President Jimmy Carter signed into law the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. I don’t need to remind you that has been all downhill for passengers ever since – unsafe planes, sardine like seating, jammed aircraft, fewer flights, higher fares, charges for baggage, airline bankruptcies, prospective mergers (Delta and Northwest) and a fiddle-dee-dee attitude from the administration. Regulation isn’t such a bad word after all, is it?
My predication is that by then end of the year when gasoline will be over 6.00$ a gallon and all airlines will be charging for every bag (even hand carried)this small charge will not even be remembered.
E-mail your complaints to Customer Relations at American. Maybe if enough of us do it, management might get the hint that passengers will look for alternatives to American. This sounds like a half-cocked idea by the CFO who doesn’t understand anything about customer retention.
American Airlines could be shooting themselves in the foot. People will just use other airlines to get to their destinations and avoid a bag check in charge. American used to be one of my favorite airlines…now I’m not so sure.
Aviation fuel (basically kerosene) makes up 20-30% of an airlines’ operating budget. With peak oil here and prices just starting to climb, this is the beginning of then end for quite a few airlines. Flying is hugely inefficient and a significant contributor to global warming. The era of cheap air travel for the masses will soon be over. In any case, nationalized airlines consistently provide better service, better maintenance, and quite a few put most US airlines to shame. Of course, Americans don’t enjoy a ultra modern and convenient rail transit system like Europeans or Japanese, but if we ever get our act together and get some sensible policymakers in office, revitalizing our national rail system could provide both a huge number of jobs and a viable alternative to air travel for short and medium distances in the continental US.
I just got off of a flight where the attendant told me American was going to disallow carry on bags (just permit one personal item) starting June 12th, but decided to postpone the date. She said charging for all checked baggage was the first step and that eventually passengers would be forced to check bags…I’m waiting for a response from AA.com’s speedy email department.John, you should read the article in the Economist about allowing for foreign airlines to fly in the US. If you believe domestic airlines are “deregulated” you are sorely mistaken.
Hello Delta! American Airlines – so long – it wasn’t that great of a relationship anyway. The last 6 flights I’ve taken with you – major delays – each and every time. Your own pilots picketed in downtown Chicago to show their disgust at how poorly you run your ship.To the 100′s of VPs at A… gouging those of us who travel by air is not a solution – short or long term.I have a truly insightful plan instead:Simply eliminate 2 to 3 high-level corporate positions each year. The MILLIONS saved on their salaries, benefits, company cars, travel & entertainment expenses, greens fees, corporate jet use, etc. will no doubt cover your added costs to operate when fuel prices increase.
Why doesn’t AA’s Ceo just give contibute 3 Million out of his salary of 6 Million and give back his 20% increase in pay since 2007. And maybe also cut 6 of his 12 Vice Presidents. Plus maybe give back the 160 Million top executives took in pay one week after 1000′s of cancellation and stranded passenngers for a job well done. This will save thousands of jobs plus keep their passengers happy.
I have lfown almost every airlinenout there and American is by far the best and has the best service. I was stuck flying USAir for 10 years and I never had a smooth trip even with status. Once you deal with an airline like that you will be lining up to give American another 15$ just to use the bathroom. The fees don’t come into play for me as I am Platinum, but I can understand evryone’s concern. I still think flying is cheap compared. take your average trip and figure out how many miles to gallon your car gets and do the math. I think you wil be shocked. Thing about the CEO is just silly.
I agree with everyone, the extra cost should be passed onto the ticket, not as extra fees. I understand that this means everyone pays the same, but I don’t want to show up to the airport and learn I have to pay even more to get on board. Most of the time these “little” extra expenses are listed in the “fine” print. Not where you can clearly see it and definently not brought to your attention before you purchase your ticket.What’s worse is the reason they are charging extra fees instead of putting it in the ticket is it will improve where an airlines ticket comes up in one of the sites that compares airline tickets.Also, someone mentioned it was cheaper to fly than drive. Only if you are driving alone. If you have 2 or more people in a vehicle that gets 20 mpg or more, the cost is less. And you have your vehicle to get around locally. You only save on time.