I can hear it now: A guy bragging that he got the body scan and was then told, "Hey dude, you're gonna have to pay $15 to check that package."

Wunnerful. So now even MORE people are going try to cram everything they own in the overhead compartments. Explain to me why, if this is related to fuel usage, a checked bag is $15 while a carryon bag is free?

Whats next a coin slot on the bathroom door? No Flight attendants, a $5 spot for a seat belt, air surcharge for the tires. Tip jar at the door for the pilots.. Where will it end?

Now as long as they enforce weight limits and size limits for carry ons... hopefully people will start traveling lighter.

Anyone want to start an airline bankruptcy betting pool with me? I'll put $20 on United declaring by January 2009.

@Phillip1952: Ugh I wish I would have become a pilot, they make bankkkkkkkk

Wow, you see what the did there. Checking your bags used to be what you had to do. Now, it's a "Product". That's hot.

Next, bagging groceries, doormen opening doors, police officer saving your life. All chargable services.

1-900-911, here we come.

According to the Colbert Report, airlines are going to start charging by pound, which is the motivation we need to finally fix the obesity crisis.

I think I'm done flying.

Watch for sharp elbows in the race to board the plane. Little old ladies had better not expect to put their handbags in the overhead, unless they're also weightlifters and 500-yard dash champions.

Ughhhhhhhhh I am flying United for a work conference (not my choice, company booked it) and it's a week long, so I have to check a bag. Bye, bye $30.

if you just had a real train system like here in Europe :-) 220 miles an hour in quiet clean modern environment...and on time or your money back! Anything less than 1000 miles, you win time going center of town - center of town above flying...no check-in, security, etc etc.....pity you have Amtrack (although it still puzzles me that a prime airline like KLM- Air France doesnt need to resort to all of this and still remains the most profitabel airline in the world).

@Phillip1952: They're going to have turnstyles at the gate (entry fee=$20)

United is sinking faster than the Titanic, and deservedly so. I've never had such bad experiences flying. I'll be cashing in my miles on hotel stays, magazines, anything but flights. Good riddance.

@B:

Want to pay to fly by the pound? Here you go! [flyderrie-air.com]

We had to pay $20/bag on Spirit a few weeks ago. $15 sounds like a deal.

There is no way they can fit a carry on bag for everyone on the plane into the cabin. Shortly we will see peoples carry on bags being checked at the gate like they do with strollers before they board the plane beacuse there is no more room in the overhead compartments. I'm sure they will ask for the $15 because you are checking a bag. This will lead to longer boarding and a lot longer unboarding times.

if united said "we're going to increase our fares across the board", you poo-poo'ers would be crying about all united air travelers having to suffer instead of only those who essentially cause more gas to be used, aka "those rotten people who check bags". i don't like it any more than anyone else but they have to stay in business, right? fuel cost increases aren't their fault, right?

@ezMoney258:

Because Air France is notorious for losing your luggage. Would you pay $15 for that privilege?

"Tip jar at the door for the pilots.. Where will it end?"

A tip jar? Don't you mean an additional Pilot Service Fee?

@Phillip1952: Please don't give them any ideas. :)

FWIW, Southwest still gives you 2 checked bags at no cost.

I don't have a problem with this, and I fly a lot. Mostly American (I live in Fort Worth). Of course, I don't have to pay to check bags on American because I am an elite member. And, even if I had to pay, I could put it on my expense report. But the idea is sound--have people pay for what they use. Charge (a reasonable amount) for snacks and soda. Charge for the bags. Don't charge for air or the bathroom though.

I am opposed to charging people by weight, but you could charge rental for the seat belt extensions.

So I guess people won't be flying United anymore.

I seriously began to question whether this will actually save money for United if they charge this fee because it will inevitable add time to check in procedures and boarding of the plane since people will refuse to pay the charge and try and carry on stuff they can't fit. This will of course cause extra headaches for everyone.

Then I realized that the Airlines really don't give a hoot if they are on time or not, so scratch that whole economic perspective.

What was the latest stat, something like a 41% drop in airmiles flown in the last year? Coincidence?

If I want to check one bag that will be $15 but they over book the flights and they will give me $300 voucher for the next overbooked flight.

In the real world where we live if your finances are tight you are supposed to look inward first to see where you can cut costs before you start attacking you source of income for not giving you enough.

Another reason I'll never fly.

1. I don't want to die.
2. I won't pay the insane amount it costs.
3. I don't want to feel like a sardine for 3+ hours
4. I don't want to have to pay for a soft drink/bag of peanuts
5. Driving is better and cheaper.

@sporks: United filed for bankruptcy a little over 2 years ago and came back. I hope your pool is for it to go to bankruptcy and never come back.

@Snakeophelia: Explain to me why, if this is related to fuel usage, a checked bag is $15 while a carryon bag is free?

please don't be giving them ideas!

I wonder if the fee will be waived for disabled passengers or those unable to use the overhead bin.

@IamNotToddDavis: Coincidence? No... Its a vicious cycle... Costs increase substantially, prices raise to meet costs, Prices are now out of some customers price tolerances, Less people fly, This drives cost per customer up, Now prices must raise again...

I mean... I personally don't blame them for raising prices. For every cent gas goes up... the industries costs go up $300 million. Pretty insane really. (This was a USA Today article, I will look for it)

@Snakeophelia: Because you need to pay someone, with benefits, to load and unload checked luggage.

@IamNotToddDavis: Airlines are concerned with being on time. Its one of there largest preventable costs. Its also one of the reasons Southwest is doing well. Since you seat yourself, there is an incentive to getting there early and becuase of this more of their flights leave on time.

@Jbball: You don't want to die. There are endless statistics that show driving is far more dangerous than air travel.

Just following American's lead. These are bad businesses that you should only do business with if you have no other option.

here in chicago, O'hare and the city of chicago are reportedly looking into suing united over this. Mostly due to the contract united has with the airport which states that United is barred from discriminating certian classes of travelers. United doesn't have a 15 dollar fee for their premier users. We'll see where this goes.

@HIV 2 Elway: Amongst many other reasons

And this is why I just booked a flight to Philly on Southwest. It was the lowest fare by $75 than any other carrier and I get to check 2 bags for free. I never fly American and United and these new fees will only keep me away from those airlines.

@ffmariners: Yes, one of many.

My buddy is a pilot. He actually just got his wings. I was talking to him about what a pain in the ass flying was. He said being a pilot sucks too... MOSTLY because the "veteran" (read: older) pilots back in the day were pulling down $400K a year and they refuse to except pay cuts. So if you paid pilots even a REASONABLE generous salary because, let's face it, they ARE responsible for numerous lives, and start maxing them out at $200K (VERY reasonable salaries), I think the airlines would be in much better shape. $400K salaries is ridiculous. Plain and simple. ESPECIALLY when airline are cutting retirements, raising prices, charging for bags, etc. I'd be very willing to bet that "complimentary" beverage services are going to end... United in bankruptcy by Jan 09? Didn't they just get out of bankruptcy...

There's something wrong with the industry as a whole. NO OTHER industry is having this kind of issue, even fuel-dependent industries. I mean we are all sucking up higher gas prices but it seems like airlines are ALWAYS the first ones to call mercy - they never get out of the red...

Oh - I also noticed that suddenly, my earned Premium identifier disappeared from my United Boarding Passes. Not that it ever really entitled me to anything anyway, but I wonder if they're cutting those too.

@ffmariners: I don't blame them for raising prices either. I mean, they aren't a charity- it is a business that exists to provide a service and turn a profit. But I just wonder at what point do these cost increases end up costing more than they bring in?

@HIV 2 Elway: So again, am I alone in wondering if this fee increase will actually hurt more than help overall?

@IamNotToddDavis: I have a hard time beliving that checking bags at the gate will make United anymore inefficient. Soley because, I can't imagine a company can be run worse. I flew United Sunday and it was a nightmare.

This blows. United is not only the worst airline, but they really are poorly managed.

Iflyswa.com from now on.

@ezMoney258: unfortunately, KLM-Air France's aircraft don't run on smug.

They posted a 16 percent drop in net profit for 07/08 and project further losses due to fuel.

@ezMoney258: Ah, yes, wouldn't that be nice. However, Europeans have been subsidizing their rail systems for decades with taxes, and that's what has bought them a nice, useful rail system. TANSTAAFL. It didn't "just happen" and it's not easily applicable to the US because the population density of the US is less than 1/4th that of the EU, and heavily concentrated on the coasts. It's farther from Waskom, TX to El Paso, TX than it is from Paris to Copenhagen, crossing 3 or 4 international borders. While I'd love to have useful rail service in more of the US, it's just not readily comparable to Europe.

Blame the pilots? What about the guys in the big offices pulling down serious money? Nobody in an airline should be paid more than the best pilot.

Woo hoo! finally! C'mon guys, it /never/ made sense that it costs $50 to airmail a box, but you can haul it for free on an airplane. Im tired of subsidizing all you baggage checkers on my weekend trips!

@logicalnoise:
I would sure be interested to know on what grounds Chicago will be suing United for discrimination based on these bag fees (compared to when they didn't sue for the 2nd bag charge a few months ago). Discriminating against the constitutionally protected class of people who buy cheap airline tickets? The class who don't have frequent flyer status? The class of people who pack a lot? hmm. I can't imagine it will get far.

I'm sure I'll be pilloried as a rabid feminist for saying this here, but there actually is a hidden sexism in luggage restrictions. Women, especially businesswomen, require more clothing, shoes, and personal care products to be considered presentable than men do. Men can get by with a single suit and some extra shirts. Most of them have wash-and-go haircuts and of course, wear no makeup. A woman who tried that would be labeled as lazy, unkempt, and unprofessional, and her commitment to whatever business she was travelling to attend to would be questioned.

I like to travel as lightly as possible, but for business trips packing a full change of clothes for each day, two or three pairs of shoes, a couple of hair implements and a cosmetics case isn't vanity - it's the bare minimum required for acceptable grooming. There are some concessions I can make for effeciency, and I generally do, but anyone who would advise me to suck it up, shear off my hair, abandon makeup and wear the same suit for days on end simply isn't being realistic.

Women have to pack more than men do for the same trip. They also tend to need more than the 3oz allotment for cosmetics, hair- and skin-care products, which all but requires that they pay the checked-baggage fee. It's unfair. If the Consumerist-crank-beloved "charge by weight" plan ever goes into effect, I'm pretty sure that will put women at a disadvantage too. The airline's idea of a "standard woman" will undoubtedly be much farther from reality than their idea of the "standard man."