Cut Out the Baggage Fee, American Airlines!

To: Phoenix N.

Get over it. More and more you are going to see the charges for the
1st bag. Now that AA is charging, you guessed it, both United and US
Airways have joined on that foray of charging the for the 1st bag. FYI
Spirit charged $20 for the bag $20 for the 2nd bag, and $100 each for
bags 3-5.

The rising fuel costs are hurting everybody, and that includes the
airlines. Look, when you check your bag @ the airport it doesn't get
to where you're going by magic. Somebody has to screen it and
somebody has has to load it on to the plane and somebody has to unload
it once you're there. That all costs $$$. Furthermore, if I can
carry on my only bag while the person in front of me is checking 3-4
bags, to me that person SHOULD pay more. Why should I have my ticket
priced higher just so some Desperate Housewives wannabe can take 19
bathing suits and 12 pairs of shoes on vacation with her? This
provides travelers incentives to travel lighter which will help reduce
the costs the airlines incur. One potential problem I do see with
this though is people trying to carry on bags they have no business
carrying on which will produce headaches for the flight attendants and
everyone else.

I agree with you Edwin. I fly 2-3 times a week and will not be using
American anymore. I always check my bags due to the hassle to the
security so this is really going to be a huge pain if I chose to
continue with American. It will be easier to fly Delta and not worry
about it...

Since weight is a factor in fuel costs I understand why they are
slapping what amounts to a surcharge on everyone. I think it's unfair
and a better idea would be to charge people and their luggage by the
pound. Suppose some 300lb woman flies with no checked bags while some
110lb woman flies with 1 50lb bag, it's just unfair. By charging a
flat rate per pound total it could lead to roomier seats in coach and
people will strive to lose weight.

I just think they should charge for carry-on luggage instead of this.
It was already ridiculous, the amount and size of carry-on luggage
being brought into the cabin. Now everyone trying to save $15 (and
the wait at the luggage carousel) is going to be a huge pain in the
butt.

I just generally believe that the business traveler is the most
streamlined traveler, and should get the carry-on space, and let us
leisure travelers check everything and just chill out over it all.

Also: People with no carry-on luggage in the overhead bins SHOULD GET
TO LEAVE THE PLANE FIRST. Thank you.

There seems to be some exceptions to this charge!

The following customers will not be charged a service fee to check a
bag provided the bag is within the weight allowance:

For the first checked bag, customers who buy a ticket before June 15,
2008, or who fly before June 15, 2008
For the second checked bag, customers who purchased a ticket before
May 12, 2008
Customers originating travel in the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto
Rico or Canada and traveling to an international destination beyond
the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico or Canada
Customers originating travel outside the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands,
Puerto Rico or Canada and traveling to an international destination
Customers who purchase full-fare tickets in Economy Class
Customers who purchase Business or First Class tickets
Customers flying on AA codeshare flights not operated by American
Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection®
Customers traveling on government or military fares
Military passengers on active duty
AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum® or
AAdvantage Gold® members
oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby members
Customers flying on the same reservation as an AAdvantage Executive
Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Gold member or oneworld
Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby member regardless of frequent flier
status or fare type (not applicable to group bookings)
AAnytime® Economy Class AAdvantage award tickets, MileSAAver(SM)
or AAnytime First and Business Class AAdvantage award tickets
First and Business Class upgrades confirmed prior to check in
AAirpass travel

I agree, I hope that other airlines don't follow this! We pay too
much as it is!

"NOT NO MORE!" ??? Yeah, I'd save my $15 for some grammar lessons...

I dont think I will be giving up comfort or safety for $15 but it does
make me mad that they have resorted to this.

Give me a bottle of water, a catheter, and some headphones and I'll
tough the flight out!

The only thing I could fit in is a coffin.(MMMMM cozy)

Everthing goes up in price execpt our wages. I have learned to explore
other means of transportation. Travelling by train is an option that I
have enjoyed. Yes it takes longer, but the company and views can be
amazing. It is also less dependant on fossil fuels.

The $15.00 luggage fee is outrageous. Flying is already an
unpleasant experience. Now the stress of flying will be made greater
by more passengers shoving carryon baggage through the small airplane
isles and into already inadequate space. Boarding will be further
delayed and more belongings will be crushed by luggage shoved into
overhead compartments. Congratulations American Airlines, rather
honestly rate increase, you have managed to make flying even more
aversive.

the airline is not responsible for the fact that you cannot pay for
your lifestyle.

SORRY!

Learn to travel out of a carry on. It isnt hard once you realize that
what you think you need, and what you actually need are often very far
apart. I have always travelled with a carry on, never lost my own
luggage (been with people that have) and have never had to paid extra,
and occasionally on Air Canada even saved money for not having any
checked baggage.

I saw this on the news last night. I'd prefer they let the first bag
be free and only charge for additional bags. Having bags is expected.
Guess as a family we may be making the kids bring their own backpacks
to carry on instead if we run into this lol.

Pretty soon they'll be weighing individuals and charging for that too
lol.

I'm not paying higher mortgage rates. Our house is paid for!!! My
wife and I live on alot less than we earn. We have saved and scrimped
so moments like we are experiencing now are not so bad.

The increase is to be expected, hopefully other airlines will not
follow suit.


Good Day

I'm trying to fly home for 10 days for my brother's graduation (and to
visit) at the end of June. My ticket price is about twice as much, and
a second bag costs an extra $25 (or more, depending on the airline).
Ugggggh.

You know, at first I found this obnoxious. I think mostly because it
never was that way. Once I thought about it for a few minutes, it
makes sense to me. I like it. A bag of luggage can weigh 40 pounds,
easy. That is weight that has to be flown, in addition to the
passenger. That will take extra gas.

I know it never WAS this way, but if gas prices stay high I wouldn't
be surprised if all airlines go this route.

One possible fringe benefit is it may make people who pack half the
house think twice before dragging everything along.

I don't fly much.

But it seems to me that people need at least one bag for their clothes
and whatnot if they're travellling.

Sounds like a stupid idea to me. I could see charging for another
bag, but not for just one.

I really can't believe AA decided to do this. I think it's stupid. I
understand charges for second bags, but for the first bag? Nope.

Now some of you might think "oh, it's only fifteen dollars!" But for
my family (of six) if we each had one bag, that would add another
ninety dollars on top of ticket prices.

I am very glad that I don't fly much and if I do, I'll stick with
airlines that don't charge for a simple thing like that.

You'd rather get cruddy service than pay an extra $15? That sounds
like quite a trade off.

And what do you think those planes need to operate? Uh, gas.
Things are tough all over, baby.

I cannot agree with you more regarding charging ALL passengers the
same fee if one is going to be charged.

As for cutting flight schedules most of the major airlines sans
Continental have already done this.
They are flying less routes and charging more for a flight.

But when you think about it with the raising gas prices...more people
are opting to stay home this summer and utilize local entertainment
and parks if the surveys are correct.

Its not going to get any better...it can only get worse and sadly we
have not seen the worse yet.

Tough times call for tough measures - - and I'm sure United will miss
your revenue dollars.

Edwin,

I was taken back when I first read the article buit thenm I said if I
owned the place I'd do it too.

My bet is all carriers will start doing this as well.

Your decision to bail for another carrier will probably allow them to
sell that seat at a higher price.

Good luck.

BillR.