Consumerist
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airline fees
American Airlines And The Tale Of The $100 "Prepaid Baggage Fee"
Reader Jeremy says that his attempts to be polite and have everything taken care of for someone who was doing his organization a big favor were made more difficult by a secret, unpublished "prepaid baggage fee" that American Airlines attempted to charge him. More » -
baggage fail
Photographer Says US Airways Soaked $17,850 Worth Of Camera Equipment
Reader Steve points us to a posting on a photography forum by a professional photographer who says his camera bag didn't fit in the overhead compartment or under the seat of his US Airways flight — and when he got the bag back after checking it — it was soaking wet. He says the employees he spoke with didn't believe him... do you? More » -
revenge
United Airlines Loses "United Breaks Guitars" Singer's Luggage
Dave Carroll, the musician who recently wrote a catchy new jingle for United Airlines, told the New York Times that on a flight with United this past Sunday they lost his bag. What's worse, United employees wouldn't let him leave the baggage area for more than an hour because they said the bag was just delayed. United told the paper, "We will fully investigate what regretfully happened."
"With Video, a Traveler Fights Back" [New York Times] (Thanks to Alan and Ray!)
(Photo: Doug Letterman) -
fees
American Airlines Raises Baggage Fees For Flights Abroad
If you thought you could escape American Airlines' increased domestic baggage fees by only flying abroad, think again: AA is raising checked bag fees for some international flights to Europe and India. More » -
songs
Dave Carroll Launches Second "United Breaks Guitars" Song And Video
Musician Dave Carroll hit the jackpot with his first song, "United Breaks Guitars," last month. The song, the video, and the subsequent media coverage formed a perfect anti-ad for United's poor handling of customer property. Now he's released the second of his planned three-song cycle and this one has more of a "we could have had something together" feel to it. Like any sequel, it's about 600 times more elaborate. We'll always love "United Breaks Guitars" most of all, but it's great to see Carroll continue his one-man shaming of an airline for not doing the right thing when it had the chance.
More »
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fees
American Airlines Raises Baggage Fees
Despite lowered fuel prices, American Airlines just can't seem to figure out how to make money. That's too bad for you — because you'll be paying higher bag fees. More » -
public relations
Did Dave Carroll's Broken Guitar Videos Cost United $180 Million?
The Times of London claims that public relations fallout from Dave Carroll's catchy videos panning United Airlines for breaking his beloved $3500 Taylor guitar and then denying his damage claim may have cost the airline's shareholders up to $180 million. More » -
fees
Poll: What's The Next Airline Fee?
With airlines now charging fees for not paying fees a specified way and contemplating charging for bathroom access, we wanted to take a crack at predicting the next annoying fee. Take the poll inside and suggest your own fee. More » -
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covenant
Help, Baggage Screeners Stole My Underwear!
Careful travelers, there's a panty-stealing baggage screener lurking in San Francisco's international airport, according to reader Ari, whose girlfriend lost eight days worth of underwear on a recent trip. More » -
it's a trap
Genius TSA Officer & Baggage Handler Caught Stealing From Decoy Luggage
Two workers at JFK airport fell into a trap set by Delta Airlines and the TSA, says the Daily News. The two men are accused of stealing a Macbook Air and a T-Mobile Sidekick from decoy luggage. The first man, a TSA officer, was videotaped rummaging through a Miami-bound suitcase in an airport screening room while a baggage handler watched. More » -
follow ups
Dave Carroll Says No To Guitar Hush Money From United
We officially love Dave Carroll now. Not only is he cute and a good singer, but he's classy (check out how he defends the United employee in this video response) and has principles. The best part is at the end he encourages us to stay tuned for song #2. United hoped it could pay for the guitar and put an end to the bad publicity—but it looks like you're not getting off that easily, United. Check out the full video response below. More » -
Dave Carroll's "United Breaks Guitars" song and video EECB appears to be having the desired effect. Check out this tweet from United. [Twitter] (Thanks to Chris!) Update: Dave Carroll responds.
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songs
United Breaks Guitars
When United Airlines broke Dave Carroll's $3500 Taylor guitar in the the spring of 2008, he contacted them to ask for compensation. After all, he and other passengers watched from the plane as United baggage handlers actually threw his guitar around on the tarmac. United said they wouldn't pay for the damages, so Carroll wrote this catchy song about how much United sucks. We think it should go in United's next ad campaign. More » -
traveling
Never Pack Your Jewelry In Checked Baggage
This past February, a Delta customer had her expensive heirloom jewelry stolen from her checked bag on a trip from Rochester through Atlanta to Las Vegas:
More »My suitcase had been opened, my jewelry bag unzipped, and my fine jewelry (gold, diamonds, sapphires) had been hand picked out of the jewelry bag and the inexpensive jewelry (plastic, glass, metal) left strewn across my belongings inside my suitcase.
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ryanair
RyanAir: Bye Bye, Checked Bags And Airport Check-In. Hello, Gambling!
RyanAir this week announced that they will soon eliminate all airport check-in counters and require passengers to carry-on their luggage. Starting early next year, passengers will need to schlep their bags through airport security and drop them at the steps of the plane for checking into plane's cargo hold. Once aboard though, there will be gambling! More » -
travel
Bill Would Boost The Size Of Carry-On Bags, Charge TSA With Enforcement
H.R. 2870 would require all airlines to accept slightly larger carry-on bags, which is great if you actually abide by the published carry-on limits. If you don't, well, get ready to change your scofflaw ways because the TSA will enforce the new limits, and even slightly oversized bags won't make it past security checkpoints. More » -
airlines
United, US Airways Bill Higher Baggage Fee As A Way To Save. Huh?
United and US Airways will soon charge an extra $5 to check bags at the airport, charging $20 for the first bag and $30 for the second. Since it will still cost $15 and $25 respectively to pay for checked bags online, United thinks they can herald the chance to "prepay & save!," while US Airways boasts that they now have a "lower fee online!" More »
baggage
New York, 3:34 PM
Tue Nov 10
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