I still can't quite understand why they charge passengers additional fees to carry luggage. Don't most people...take things with them when they travel? Anyone want to take a stab at this one and enlighten me?

@mgy: Because They Canâ„¢.

uhuhuhu shows how much more enlightened we Canadians are :D

That list is inaccurate--I just flew with Alaska, they let you check a bag free. Has to be under 50 lbs.

@Robert Chen: The comment sure doesn't.

I had no idea the US had 22 airlines.

@Ratty: Good news: the Facebook logo provides a built-in, automatic grading system. See the little letter grade next to his face? ;)

I kid. A lot of facebook comments are good. And some of them....are not.

@LegoMan322: Yeah I think I read that sentence wrong.

Alaska Air might want to revisit that "North of Expected" promo that they're currently running.

@LesterGaze: They don't charge for baggage.

That dude might want to re-do his list and actually make it "up to date."

Right on the website: Passengers traveling on Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air may check free of charge, one bag with a maximum dimension of 62 linear inches (length + width + height) and weight of up to 50 pounds.

Passengers checking in with one of our airline partners, or on a codeshare flight may be subject to additional checked baggage restrictions. Please check with the operating carrier for more information regarding their baggage allowance and fees.

Looks like he'll have to make some changes to the Alaska section: [www.seattlepi.com]

As for me: Fuck the airlines. It's carry-on time for me!

@Ratty:
Alaska does charge a fee from May 1st.

[www.alaskaair.com]

The best part is that this isn't a guarantee of arrival either. Just an extra fee to carry the luggage. If you need to take a lot with you. it could be cheaper to ship via FEDEX or UPS

@ben07:

I gave Alaska Airlines a piece of my mind this afternoon. I truthfully told them they just went from my preferred west coast airline to one I (and my family)will not fly anymore.

Her eis a link to the Consumer Affairs fedback form:
[www.alaskaair.com]

@katstermonster: I just wish the facebook image wouldn't block the text underneath it. It's worse than the disemvoweling.

I would like a list of European airlines...for most people, if they are going to go out of the country, they will most assuredly check luggage...and a great deal of people don't fly US carriers to Europe (Lufthansa, SAS, British Airways come to mind).

@mgy: You'd be surprised. I've seen a lot of frequent fliers in the airports get by with nothing more than a briefcase and maybe a backpack - they know what they need to bring and don't bring along the kitchen sink that's going to weigh them down.

I hate that they charge for checked luggage. It still costs the airlines just in a different form. Now, everyone carries one their luggage, and if it doesn't fit, they will sill place it under the plane for free, but you have to get it right away when you get off the plane.

That means you have plow through the people standing just outside the plane waiting for their luggage. This slows down everyone exiting the plane, cleaning the plane, departing the next flight, etc.

You pay the money, you should get one checked bag free. This is as bad as the idea when Kramer from Seinfeld had the idea to open a pizza parlor and make your own pizza.

@El_Fez: True, except that most people are now finding a way to go carry on only which means that if you are in the last group or two to board the plane, forget about finding a spot in the overhead bin. You will be forced to check at the gate, and will have to pay to check your carry on bag.

@mgy:

My aunt and uncle travel with every garment they own because you never know when a cold front might reach Hawaii and they will need their parkas.

Think their 300lbs of extra luggage should travel free?

Woo Westjet! I am a huge fan of theirs, flown with them many times and never had an issue.

They recently started an initiative called the Care-antee (they're cute like that), that some American airlines may want to take a look at... ;)

[www.westjet.com]

@valthun: Look into Amtrak cargo. Last I checked (which was a few years ago) you could drop off a package and have it shipped via rail for a fraction of the cost.

The reason Southwest is so awesome is that they contracted a set price on fuel a few years ago. So, last year when all the other airlines had to scramble to fill a void they had previously filled with profit, Southwest now gets to seem like the awesome airline above all the pettiness, especially since the fee-happy airlines now have really no basis to impose the fees since fuel prices went down.

I wonder what will happen after the contract runs out though.....

@Robert Chen:
Its funny because Air Canada has to cut a bunch of routes and fire a bunch of employees or face bankruptcy.

And didn't WestJet almost go belly up a while ago? Or was that some other airline?

@mgy: unless you have a baby/small children, or equipment, I see no reason why you cannot fit enough belongings for at least 1 week into one duffel bag, assuming you are reasonable person.

Exception for Druish Princesses.

@Dragonis:

That was probably Air Canada again.. It seems like every year they go bankrupt but then some how survive either with government loans or nosomething

@Robert Chen: Gotta love the sanctimonious Canadians that make us all look bad.

@Dragonis: Maybe you're thinking of Zoom? They went belly up last year. I think that they're relaunching under a different name this year, though.

what's the point of keeping track of the baggage fees? You all don't decide who to fly based on the fees anyway. That's why they can charge them.

@pecan 3.14159265: A Euro carrier charging for a Trans-Atlantic flight? Not likely.

Do the airlines understand that by charging for checked bags that it only increases the level of service demanded by the customer? If I pay $60 extra for two bags (roundtrip) and those bags are lost, or delayed in getting to me.... I'm going to be HOPPING mad that I was charged EXTRA for that...

I suggest that the airlines only charge for this if they are REALLY going to be upping the service level....and we all know that isn't going to happen.

@valueofaloonie: Wow. If only other airlines would do that.

@sicknick: Well, they'd best renew their contract now (or hedge the rest of their fuel) while prices are still low, then.

As long as ticket prices are lower it makes sense. Why should someone with a small carryon get charged the same as the person with large checked bags? They take up less space and don't require a baggage handler's attention. If I figure the $25 dollars into the price of my flight it's still is cheaper to fly than it was a year ago

@mgy: I never check my bags for domestic flights. It adds a lot of time onto the travel. You have to check in a lot earlier, and then wait for the bag to get unloaded from the plane. I've had my bag delayed (when checked) twice and it's a huge hassle. I can fit everything I need in my carry-on bag.

@Rachacha: I've never experienced this. Also, do they really make you pay to gate check your bag? I doubt that they have an easy way to collect money.

@sicknick: Yes, and we all know how reliable Amtrak is... I would stick with FedEx. If you open an account online, you can get a substantial discount. [www.shiprush-fedex.com]

And it'll be only about $15 to send a large 50 lbs box. (rough estimate)

@Zenatrul: at my nearest airport air canada only managed to keep their slot at the terminal by sharing with air wisconsin

"Mr. Gladstone" can I take your luggage. "No, I just have a toothbrush."

@pecan 3.14159265: nah, i did two weeks in europe with a carryon. [yes, i am female, we don't all carry giant suitcases] but i committed to washing my clothes in the sink at the hotel.

i had a friend fly in last week for a long weekend visit and instead of checking a bag with US airways, he just packed a dress shirt, socks and underwear, then bought a couple of $2 t shirts here at rugged warehouse and deodorant from target. cost less than checking bag. [his gadgets and camera took up most of his carryon space]

Consumerist used to be much more helpful site until Consumer Reports bought them out and started using Consumerist as a marketing ploy for CR.

Why doesn't Consumerist tell us -- the consumers -- how we can effectively protest these outrageous fees that we shouldn't be paying in the first place? Give us names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, anything to help us express outrage at this robbery. Who do we contact? Who can help us stop this?

Come on now, Consumerist, do your job and help the consumers.

@jamar0303: Seriously, Westjet is awesome. If you ever get a chance to fly with them, I highly, highly recommend them. They're also really involved at the community level (their head office is located in my city), and they treat their employees (aka owners) amazingly.

Anyone know if Qantas has any fees? I'm flying to Australia fairly soon, and considering I'll be living there for at least a year... I kinda *need* to take one more bag than the carry-on.

@redkamel: Yeeeeah..if Im making my one-week yearly visit to Vegas, best believe I've got an arsenal of beauty products and clothing..Just in case I need to pick up a high roller ;)

@Rich Marino: Thats very true! They better make sure no one is sticking their grubby hands in my luggage with intentions of ripping me off!

Now that everyone has got their Canada and Facebook bashing off their chests (the guy was posting tongue in cheek). The reality is there is a good story behind this the Consumerist is missing. Porter is also a Canadian Airline. The airlines here tried to tack on huge baggage charges but there was a huge consumer backlash and the airlines actually listened. A lot of it has to do with Westjet. They are quite profitable and well run and they react to consumer feedback. They are also the only airline in the industry without a union. They have a good profit sharing plan with their employees and seem to treat them well enough they don't need one. Thanks to all this Westjet is one of the fastest growing airlines on the planet at a time when most airlines are on life support. Proof that when a company listens to their customers and their employees they make more money and can have an effect on their entire industry.

@ecwis: Send it how far, though? That doesn't sound like trans-Pacific overnight rates. Sad to say I'd probably be paying if they charged. Maybe. I'd probably switch to another airline instead.

@valueofaloonie: If only they flew to my city... I've been meaning to go to Canada one of these days.