Baggage Policy - or Why I'm Not Flying With You On My Next Trip

Well you could have used this opportuinity as practice for what is up
and coming in the airline industry.

All airlines will be following this and any other money saving ideas
for themselves in the nearfuture.

Airlines have become desensitized to public needs and wants. They know
we will use them for travel because its the quickest way to get from
one place to another.

So keep looking for an airline that will do for you without you
purchasing a first class ticket.
Its soon going to be a thing of the past if not already!

Let me help you understand something.....soon ALL airlines will be
charging you for a second bag. And ALL of them pretty much charge
your for food. And soon they will charge you for that little bag of
peanuts you now get for free. Airlines like most other industries and
services are trying to survive and keep you alive while you're 35,000
feet in the air.

Southwest is actually one of the best economical airlines flying
today. Obviously you don't travel much in order to compare apples to
oranges. But I do. They typically have the best fares, on-time
schedules, routes, and the friendliest flight attendants in the
airline industry. And no, I don't work for them! It's just the
truth.

Today flying is worse than taking the bus. Most bus seats are way
more comfortable than on most planes. And what you're looking for in
ammenaties is either available in first class or was a standard in
flying over 20+ years ago. So unless you have a time machine and can
go back in time or win a lot of money, welcome to the real world of
airline travel.

And just so you know. Just because you might get a plastic wrapped
bagel considered free food on another airline, you'll most likely get
really crappy service from flight attendants on those other airlines
and there's something to be said for that too.

Hope you enjoy your free trip to LA. Dress pretty. Everyone is
pretty there.

So wait, you WON this trip. Not a red cent is coming out of your
pocket, and you are going to boycott an airline because of a charge
you won't end up paying anyway???

And I'm still laughing that you have decided to choose the airline
that allows 2 carry on bags and provides food "even if it costs $50
more." I have just one response for that:

SO JUST PAY THE FREAKING FEE THEN!

(Shakes head) This has to be the most absurd thing I've ever read.

Circular logic - FAIL!

I would be willing to pay $50.00 more if you and your child are not on
my flight to whatever destination I am traveling.

It is time you get with the times. Airlines are charging more because
they are losing revenues. I would like to have a seven course meal and
a bottle of champagne served to me in coach but it ain't going to
happen.

If you dont have the $5.00 to pay for food on the airplane, then bring
your own or pay by credit card at the resturants at the airport.

Im with other posters, you wouldnt be writing this if you were paying
for your ticket.

I don't think the "Baggage" problem has to do with suitcases.

This sounds more like a case of "I won coach class, and *I* don't do
coach". Either that, or there's some kind of strings that go with this
"windfall".

but I think that once you're paying for a ticket out of your own
pocket, you'll be less choosy about airlines. Paying $50 more for a
ticket to make a "statement" about not paying $25 for an extra bag and
$5 for a meal, is ridiculous. If you want to do that though, I'm sure
the struggling airline industry could use the extra money.

I lived in Germany as a kid and being the in Europe it is so easy to
get around my family often spent winters in Austria, Switzerland or
France, and summers in France, Spain and Portugal. When you travel
often you learn to pack light. I can fit 10 days worth of clothes in a
regular sized school backpack. As for meals, most of the time, the
food on planes is gross, I would rather buy food at the airport
instead of on the plane. This allows me to control what I eat and
when, since I can start eating before take off if I want.
I look at flying as the fastest way between two points.

I also noticed that you compalined about there being no food on planes
in an earlier letter. I guess some people never learn.

Maybe you would but I wouldn't want to spend an additional $50 for a
meal and bag check. I sometimes take small trips with only a carry
on. Why should I pay extra so you and others like you can drag
everything you own with you?

I assure you, the rest of the airlines are expected to follow suit on
this, and soon. Tickets also are going up about $50 each to cover
fuel surcharges (jet fuel prices have gone up, just like gasoline
prices have gone up).

Besides, between a good-sized carry-on and a good-sized checked bag,
that's plenty of luggage for even a week in L.A.