American Airlines now charging for FIRST checked bag!

[sumbride]

Ok, this is absolutely ridiculous! I can cope with the 2nd bag charge, even though I don't like it, but charging for a first bag, especially with the liquids issue? UGH.

I'm at the point where I just don't want to fly anymore, and I've always loved traveling. I realize that the airlines are having trouble with their finances, but this just feels like gouging.

Story

 

[Delster]

Oh Sum, I feel you, just don't ever try living over here! Ryanair are on a crusade to make sure only 50% of passengers bring carry-on. Bags are €10 ($15) each. They also charge you to check in at the airport (they want you to do it online from home) - that costs €5 ($7.80) each way. Aer Lingus (our government subsidised airline) charge for baggage as well - to the tune of €12 ($19) per bag. Travel is getting expensive again all over.

 

[Haven]

That''s insane, and I agree that it''s gouging. I mean, are they trying to deter people from flying with them?

 

[sumbride]

I imagine it''s just a matter of time before the other airlines follow them. It''s not as if they are a discount airline either! Prices just keep going up up up. For the first time I''m wondering if we''ll be able to afford to go home at Christmas. I''m starting to think it may not be worth it. And my friend''s destination wedding in January? well, maybe we''ll just send a check? sigh...

 

[Independent Gal]

That depends. I have a friend who is a VP at one of the big American airlines and they considered doing this. The idea, though, was that everyones'' fares went down, and those who wanted to check bags could pay for their own, instead of all those who DON''T check bags having to subsidize the people who do. When you think about it, it''s only fair. Why should I help pay to fly your bags?

This came up in the context of fares having to get more competitive: how can they possibly lower prices any further? Well, lower the base price, and those who want to carry lots of extra weight on in their baggage, and cost the airline more for loading and unloading the baggage can pay their own way.

Of course, if the base fares didn''t go down at all, then I''d be pissed. But it''s hard to tell if they do or not given the fluctuations of air tickets in the first place.

One thing is for sure: in general it is way WAY cheaper to fly now than it was even 10 years ago.

 

[sumbride]

If the fares go down, I''m ok with it, but they haven''t. Ten years ago I could fly between DFW and DCA for $150. Now it''s $380 most of the time, and DFW is AA''s hub.

 

[LegacyGirl]

I stopped flying. I take the train if I need to go to Tampa or Miami now and FI and I will be taking our honeymoon in the Keys so we can drive there.

 

[Delster]

Date: 5/21/2008 12:15:57 PM
Author: Independent Gal
That depends. I have a friend who is a VP at one of the big American airlines and they considered doing this. The idea, though, was that everyones'' fares went down, and those who wanted to check bags could pay for their own, instead of all those who DON''T check bags having to subsidize the people who do. When you think about it, it''s only fair. Why should I help pay to fly your bags?

This came up in the context of fares having to get more competitive: how can they possibly lower prices any further? Well, lower the base price, and those who want to carry lots of extra weight on in their baggage, and cost the airline more for loading and unloading the baggage can pay their own way.

Of course, if the base fares didn''t go down at all, then I''d be pissed. But it''s hard to tell if they do or not given the fluctuations of air tickets in the first place.

One thing is for sure: in general it is way WAY cheaper to fly now than it was even 10 years ago.

This was Ryanair''s logic. And to be fair, they have driven prices down over here, and it is still significantly cheaper to fly out of Ireland now that it was ten years ago.

 

[LegacyGirl]

Date: 5/21/2008 12:15:57 PM
Author: Independent Gal

One thing is for sure: in general it is way WAY cheaper to fly now than it was even 10 years ago.

It''s way more expensive now. My tickets have more than trippled for the same flights since the 2000s. Wages haven''t increased at all either.

 

[Dreamgirl]

WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!? Thats what I just said out loud. This is ridiculous. For the FIRST bag? What a joke.

 

[rockzilla]

Hmmm...I was gunning for elite status on AA...but with this policy, I''ve just booked my next cross country flight on jetblue!

 

[Independent Gal]

Date: 5/21/2008 12:52:48 PM
Author: LegacyGirl

Date: 5/21/2008 12:15:57 PM

It''s way more expensive now. My tickets have more than trippled for the same flights since the 2000s. Wages haven''t increased at all either.

I guess it depends on the route! My tickets are much, much cheaper than they used to be.

 

[Independent Gal]

Correction! I just looked it up and, on average, fares have gone up dramatically since last summer (though you can still snag a bargain... I got a cross-country ticket for $185 this morning on UA), but reached a low 3 years ago.

 

[sumbride]

Date: 5/21/2008 1:36:43 PM
Author: Independent Gal

Date: 5/21/2008 12:52:48 PM

Author: LegacyGirl

Date: 5/21/2008 12:15:57 PM

It''s way more expensive now. My tickets have more than trippled for the same flights since the 2000s. Wages haven''t increased at all either.

I guess it depends on the route! My tickets are much, much cheaper than they used to be.

I think maybe international fares are cheaper, or were, anyway. I still remember $250 flights to London! ah, those were the days... My BIL lives in Paris and his kids live in Maryland. He flies back and forth a lot to spend time with them, but now at over $1k a ticket, it''s not quite as easy. Of course he gets paid in Euros so we told him to quit complaining!

Rockzilla... of course none of these polices apply to the Elite status members, but if you haven''t reached it yet, it does.

 

[sumbride]

Date: 5/21/2008 1:40:21 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Correction! I just looked it up and, on average, fares have gone up dramatically since last summer (though you can still snag a bargain... I got a cross-country ticket for $185 this morning on UA), but reached a low 3 years ago.

Yeah, that''s been my experience. I am really glad my wedding and honeymoon were last year! I don''t think it would be as easy this year!

 

[FireGoddess]

Soon to follow....charging for tp in the airplane bathroom.

This is just ridiculous.

 

[sumbride]

Date: 5/21/2008 1:57:56 PM
Author: FireGoddess
Soon to follow....charging for tp in the airplane bathroom.


This is just ridiculous.

Or admission! You must enter a token to unlock the door!

 

[robbie3982]

Date: 5/21/2008 1:42:09 PM
Author: sumbride

Date: 5/21/2008 1:36:43 PM
Author: Independent Gal

Date: 5/21/2008 12:52:48 PM

Author: LegacyGirl

Date: 5/21/2008 12:15:57 PM

It''s way more expensive now. My tickets have more than trippled for the same flights since the 2000s. Wages haven''t increased at all either.

I guess it depends on the route! My tickets are much, much cheaper than they used to be.

I think maybe international fares are cheaper, or were, anyway. I still remember $250 flights to London! ah, those were the days... My BIL lives in Paris and his kids live in Maryland. He flies back and forth a lot to spend time with them, but now at over $1k a ticket, it''s not quite as easy. Of course he gets paid in Euros so we told him to quit complaining!

Rockzilla... of course none of these polices apply to the Elite status members, but if you haven''t reached it yet, it does.

Definitely not cheaper anymore

. Last year around this time when my cousin got engaged tickets to israel were about $1k. Now they''re $2k and we cant'' go. Sigh.

 

[Steel]

Date: 5/21/2008 2:05:51 PM
Author: sumbride

Date: 5/21/2008 1:57:56 PM
Author: FireGoddess
Soon to follow....charging for tp in the airplane bathroom.


This is just ridiculous.

Or admission! You must enter a token to unlock the door!

How about this:

Please reserve your toilet tokens when you buy your tickets. If you do not reserve your toilet token then Crappy Airways cannot facilite your use of the facilities.

Alternatively when you check in at home, Crappy Airways recommends you also use the toilet facilities in your home to avoid extra charges.

 

[LegacyGirl]

Date: 5/21/2008 1:42:09 PM
Author: sumbride

Date: 5/21/2008 12:15:57 PM

I think maybe international fares are cheaper, or were, anyway. I still remember $250 flights to London! ah, those were the days... My BIL lives in Paris and his kids live in Maryland. He flies back and forth a lot to spend time with them, but now at over $1k a ticket, it''s not quite as easy. Of course he gets paid in Euros so we told him to quit complaining!

Rockzilla... of course none of these polices apply to the Elite status members, but if you haven''t reached it yet, it does.

I''m going to tell my boss to start paying me in Euros

wonder what he''ll say!!

 

[TravelingGal]

People will still fly American if the fares are cheap enough with the $15 factored in.

I never check bags and have status with American, but this is such a dumb PR move that I''m thinking of switching. I flew United for years and even though they suck too, their FF program and perks are better than American''s.

 

[~*Alexis*~]

I say we all boycott the airlines restrictions in luggage and we all fly naked.

Then we would never have to worry about it....then they would be begging people to check bags!!!

 

[Independent Gal]

Like T''Gal, I never ever check bags either, which I guess is why this bugs me less! Checking bags means it takes an extra 15-45 minutes to get out of the airport, IF your bag comes through at all. I don''t need the hassle, so I just pack light. You can fit a whole summer''s worth of clothes in a carry-on if you pack well.

With the liquids, you just get smaller bottles and squeeze in the right amount. Even make-up. You can get these little jars and bottles and squeeze in just the amount that you need, then carry those on too.

So unless you''re carrying, you know, booze or something, you''re good to go!

 

[Elmorton]

It doesn''t start til next month says NBC news...but I''m flying out for a girls'' weekend on the 28th and returning on the 1st. So crap...I have no problem with not checking my bags, but I have been lately because of the liquids deal- even with travel sizes, it''s easier to just check ''em.

Does anyone have a good link about the liquids restriction? I thought that I remembered that it includes powder makeup and lipstick..? Grrrrrr... wish I was flying Delta.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 5/21/2008 6:48:22 PM
Author: Independent Gal
Like T''Gal, I never ever check bags either, which I guess is why this bugs me less! Checking bags means it takes an extra 15-45 minutes to get out of the airport, IF your bag comes through at all. I don''t need the hassle, so I just pack light. You can fit a whole summer''s worth of clothes in a carry-on if you pack well.

With the liquids, you just get smaller bottles and squeeze in the right amount. Even make-up. You can get these little jars and bottles and squeeze in just the amount that you need, then carry those on too.

So unless you''re carrying, you know, booze or something, you''re good to go!

I agree. There''s nothing that I need to take that would make me hand over my bag to the airline. Packing light is a skill and can definitely be learned by anyone. When I went to Europe for 4 months, I had all the clothes I needed for the WINTER in two, 2-gallon ziploc bags. OK, I often stunk as a result of this, but ended up getting someone to fall in love with me anyway.

 

[TravelingGal]

Date: 5/21/2008 6:51:07 PM
Author: Elmorton
It doesn''t start til next month says NBC news...but I''m flying out for a girls'' weekend on the 28th and returning on the 1st. So crap...I have no problem with not checking my bags, but I have been lately because of the liquids deal- even with travel sizes, it''s easier to just check ''em.

Does anyone have a good link about the liquids restriction? I thought that I remembered that it includes powder makeup and lipstick..? Grrrrrr... wish I was flying Delta.

No, it doesn''t include powder makeup and lipstick.

And unless you get searched or SAY you have the stuff, they never find it anyway. At the height of the ban, I never got caught bringing my full tube of toothpaste.

 

[Independent Gal]

It''s just liquids and gels. They don''t seem to care about lipstick and they definitely don''t care about powder. The rule is 3-1-1 meaning.

 

[Independent Gal]

Actually, T-Gal is right about that. They WILL find your big bottle of water because that will show up easily on the x-ray, but I've gone through forgetting to put, say, a tube of hand lotion in my plastic baggy and they never seem to catch it.

Oh, and you can fit a LOT of cr@p in a 1 quart bag. Especially if you use smaller bottles.

 

[TravelingGal]

Yup. While I put everything in the ziploc plastic bag (TGuy was honest once and had his stuff in a clear toiletry bag and declared it, only to be told he needed to check his bag because it wasn''t a ziploc baggie...ridiculous), I never take it out and put it bucket for separate screening. I''ve flown a crapload since they instituted this and NEVER ONCE have they pulled me aside because the baggie is inside my carry on.

I really think I need to use all my FF miles before AA either cancels them or goes under!!

 

[sumbride]

Elmorton - if you''ve already bought your ticket, I THINK you''re ok, but you may want to call and ask. I believe tickets that have already been purchased are grandfathered in. I have a flight in July on AA but I bought my ticket in April and the 2nd bag rule didn''t apply yet when I bought that so I could fly with 2 bags for free, or at least that''s my interpretation.

I''ve always preferred not to have to deal with large carry on bags because I have a back problem that is worsened by airplane seats. Cramming a bag into an overhead bin isn''t fun, so I usually only carry on a large purse with all my absolute necessities (medicine, makeup, contacts) and put everything else in a checked bag. I have had bags delayed for a few days but it''s not been a huge inconvenience as it usually happens on my way home. I guess now I''ll play the weak girl card and have DH lift my heavy carry on into the overhead.

TGal - I''m still interested in how the carry on thing is going to work for you now that you have Amelia. Do you have any trips planned with her soon? I admire your efforts but am wondering how you''re going to pull it off now.