I'm so tired of getting behind a family that has 6-7 full sized suitcases for a weekend trip to vegas. It takes much longer for them to move their crap through the checkout line, much longer to check the bags, just bogs down the whole process in general.

I have a suitcase that would fit every airline's carry-on rules and a laptop bag. I always check the suitcase because I just don't feel like screwing around with it. I survived for over a month abroad with just that one suitcase. There was even some stuff that I never used in that one suitcase.

Pack smart and throw off the shackles of heavy, over packed luggage!!!

bizzz

"Before you plan your next vacation, make sure to join Generic Weight Loss Program! You can lose weight, look great in your bathing suit, and reduce the cost of your airfare! All at the same time!"

pure genius.

mmstk101

nycaviation

They won't count down to ounces until next year to give everyone time to make it to Jenny Craig.

BigNutty

By itself shifting to a one-checked-bag-included-with-fare policy is fine, and I too would feel good about not subsidizing the couple in front of me who, with no kids or medical reason, seem to be taking their entire wardrobe on vacation.

But this comes on top of so many surcharges and service reductions that it's ridiculous.

bobpence

-- no, he would say just have the butcher stop selling steak.

kepler11

I bring one bag with me. I should not have to pay higher fares because of the jack who brings 3 bags for a week trip.

And costs are rising -- for every cent gas goes up, airlines are faced with higher costs in the hundreds of millions of dollars (NY Times).

Would you blame your butcher for charging more for steak when the price for beef has increased twofold in the past 5 years? ...No.

ffmariners

kepler11

There is no requirement that the amount of a fee be related to the underlying cost of something. But to satisfy people here, there is somewhat of a relationship in this case anyway. It costs ground staff to have to transfer the bags to the plane, instead of you doing the work to carry it on. And two small bags are not the same as one large bag because there is a per-bag liability to the airline in case of loss.

These new fees are allowing the airlines to profit from the people who take extra crap on the plane (which is their choice, and they are entitled to it), but so that others don't have to pay for it with higher ticket prices.

For those who loudly shout they'll never fly an airline again over this, where are you going to go for air travel? And what if Southwest starts charging too? Are you going to eat your words? The airlines are not doing well now, and they have the power over the consumer to put these charges in place to survive. Live with it and adapt.

kepler11

stacy75

[pressroom.airtran.com]

theblackdog

Thorny

Michi430

If they really wanted to reduce the weight on of the plane, they'd limit the number of bags you can check, not charge for taking them anyway.

ceejeemcbeegee

You wonder how badly this will effect on time departures, and getting back off the plane- especially if you are in back.

Better not try to make a connecting flight without at least a 2-3 hour gap, especially seeing if you miss it the flights behind it are probably full.

Looks like airlines are going the rental car/hotel approach of hiding the true cost of service behind numerous fees and charges it will be extremely difficult to avoid.

highmodulus

wolftrouble

unklegwar

This makes us doubly screwed, I bet we'll be paying extra for skis and boots separately.

unklegwar

dirk1965

nycaviation

Manok

Rather a couple small bags are easier to carry, and more managable.

Why should two small floral print bags be MORE than one big suitcase?

As for me I never take more than my backpack and/or messenger bag anyway. But I can see the point.

jamesdenver

I have never paid a single bullshit airline fee because my business goes to the one that treats me like a human.

Buran

Geekybiker

linus

The only reason I can see that they do not do this is that fares and fees go into two separate columns on an accounting sheet and may have different tax implications but it seems like they could have manipulated this better to obtain better public good-will.

A second issue would be to institute a weight limit, not bag limit. So I have a small suitcase that weighs 30 pounds a cricket bat that weighs 3 lbs but will get hit with a large fee due to the extra item as opposed to excess weight? It is not an issue of volume but weight when looking at fuel costs. Unless they are looking to add cargo capacity for mail and shipping then they can also make money that way.

Why do they do everything bass-ackwards?

Javert

[www.aa.com]

RobGinNC

Off I go to fly WestJet, I suppose. :P

geckospots

Neat, diabolical trick.

jurijuri

Cerb

RandomHookup

tedyc03

I intentionally avoid American carriers whenever practically possible. I'd rather pay full fare with other airline companies and get complete service rather than pay a "cheap" fare, get hit with fees here and there and get lousy service to boot.

azntg