As fees for checked baggage continue to increase, airlines continue to search for creative new ways to nickel-and-dime the traveler rather than just raise airfares to cover their costs. In the past week Delta, Continental, United and US Airways all raised their fees for checking you bags with them. What they don't realize, or don't want to acknowledge, is that the more it costs to check baggage, the more people who will choose to take their bags to the aircraft in an attempt to find space in the overhead compartments.
What frequent flier hasn't noticed how many more travelers who obviously haven't reached the elite level where baggage fees are waived, are now bringing everything they own to the gate? These less frequent travelers don't have priority boarding benefits either, so by the time they get onto the aircraft there is a scarcity of remaining overhead space. This, of course, leads to frustration for all involved, from the person who never should have brought their bag on-board in the first place, to the flight attendant who tells the flier to bring their bag back to the jet-way to be checked, to the frequent flier who just wants to get going. It is amazing how little the airlines care about making the air travel experience a comfortable one, especially for those frequent travelers who are paying most of the bills.
Additionally, do the airlines actually think that the traveler hasn't figured out that they can bypass the checked baggage fees by either bringing their bag on-board the aircraft or being forced to check their bag at the gate? There are no fees collected for bags tagged at boarding, so the hassle of taking your baggage through security and to the gate usually far outweighs the ever increasing expense of checked baggage. One would think that by now the airlines would have figured out a way to charge for checked baggage at the gate, too, especially since all they do is swipe a credit card in-flight to charge exorbitant amounts for alcoholic beverages.
A word to the wise. If you want to send a message that checked baggage fees won't be tolerated, book your travels with JetBlue or Southwest airlines, as neither charges you to bring your belongings on a trip.
To add insult to injury, airlines around the globe are implementing all kinds of cuckoo fees in lieu of raising fares, and some of these fees are bound to find their way to our shores. For example, Irish airline Ryanair which flies nearly 30 million European travelers annually is eliminating airport staff and requiring the use of their airport kiosks. They are slashing their operational costs by slashing staff. The traveler will be expected to check-in on-line, print their boarding pass, tag their baggage and place it on the conveyor belt. For most travelers this isn't too difficult, and for those few who need assistance, they will be paying fees for human intervention.
Ryanair also charges a fee of about $8 for on-line check-in even though on-line check-in is required. Got that? Several European airlines are already charging for payments by credit or debit card, though there isn't another way to pay using your computer. Southwest Airlines offers BusinessSelect fares which gives the flier early boarding priority. Of course, the fare is higher than the regular coach price, so for all intensive purposes you are paying for the opportunity to board early.
There are also fees for choosing in advance where you'd like to sit. Other new frequent flier fees are becoming more the norm, where redemption of frequent flyer miles on shorter notice than say, 14 days before departure costs more than if you make your plans a month out. Does this one make any sense to anyone out there?
So get ready, as more crazy fees are sure to surface. How about a carry-on bag fee; continuing free coffee but charging for creamer, sugar or a stirrer; a screaming infant fee; a talking on your cell phone fee for those who just can't wait to negotiate the "big deal" until after they get off of the flight; and isn't it time for a stupid traveler fee to impose on the passenger who boards at the last minute, is sitting in row five, but has to put their two carry-ons in the overheard compartments at rows 14 and 22 and just HAS to jump up when the aircraft parks at the gate to go get them? Of course, these passengers also have tight connections and need to run through the airport like O.J.
Personally, I think that the paying customer should be able to charge fees in reverse, to the airline, for things like grumpy flight attendants and pilots who never say a word of hello or thanks during the entire ordeal. But that's another article soon to come.
Comments
How about a fee for cranky writers who think the industry owes them everything when fares haven't changed since deregulation? I'm "grumpy" because even though I smile and charge $6 for a mini (because that's what MY employer is asking), all the pax sees is FEES and rolls their eyes and talk about the days of hot meals. That's the way of the industry; airlines are dealing with extremely price sensitive pax who will choose airline A over B cause they're $15 cheaper, operating on thin margins and BARELY making money to cover the operation (if a profit at all). Consumers won't pay higher fares, period. BUT they will pay fees for the services they use. Airlines are here to make a profit. Once they can make money, it can be passed on to the consumer in terms of services and enhancements.Airlines are trying to recover from 'crisis' mode. There's too much capacity (# of competitors)fighting for the same market. Operating an aircraft is more expensive than your $99 fare NY to Florida.
I agree with F/A John. This is deregulation plus post 9/11 plus high oil plus over capacity plus the threat of another round of bankruptsy plus a poor economy.... Get over it.
Fire 90% of Marketing VP's.
No one likes trickery or being taken advantage of. Yes that should include the airlines, too.
People want to know the total price of things while being respected as a customer, its simple. Can the garbage fees and quit focusing on "incremental revenue" at the expense of your real revenue customers!
I reduced spending $15,000 a year on airfare and drive anything under 600 miles and often much further if I can get it done in a 5 day swing.
Also after seeing the miles inflation on awards and the paucity of flite choices etc I tossed most of my FF cards in the trash and that's from a person who has million miler status, with Delta.
When I must fly I try and fly SWA and overseas I search only for value to me no FF loyalty at all from me since none now given to me.
"incremental revenue" is the underlying problem. Focusing on nickels instead of dollars.
I have to disagree with FA John... Many airlines around the world continually remain profitable without any extra fees... The reason why a $15 dollar price difference will cause a customer to go for the cheaper carrier is because they know both carrier will nickel and dime them with a thousand extra fees so one might as well go for the cheaper one... This whole situation is all cause by the carriers own doing... If u look at oversea travel carriers, there is a much greater differentiation between different airline and hence some airline who provide better service will always have a higher price and they continue to fill their planes and remain profitable... It is just odd in the US that all airlines seems to all want to race to the bottom... I for one will always willing to pay extra for a carrier that I know will provide better service... Hence I will always fly jetblue, virgin America... And if I fly from new York to Vancouver, I will always choose Cathay Pacific over any NA carrier!
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