Next, Airlines Will Charge for Air
19 Jun
Back in December, I flew Virgin America for the first time to San Francisco. The trip overall was pretty nice and the mood lighting made the plane look more like a trendy nightclub than a boring plane. I noticed, however, that Virgin America allowed passengers to check one bag for free but charged $10 for the second bag checked. At the time, other airlines allowed two checked bags for free. I remember hoping that charging for luggage was not the new trend.
Fast forward six months and airlines are charging not only for the second bag checked but for the first bag as well. American Airlines started this phenomenon reportedly due to rising fuel costs and the desire to lighten the load on board the plane. Next to follow was suit was United and then US Airways who also took it a step further by charging $2 for the once free soda.
If I was still traveling for work this would not affect me personally as the company paid for travel. However, as a personal traveler I think the airlines are asking a lot. They want to nickel and dime us to death by charging for minor conveniences that used to be provided for free. I’m not sure I buy the rising fuel costs as the only cause. American Airlines is also now charging for seating preferences (window and aisle) and United has been charging extra for more legroom in it’s Economy Plus section for some time (I used to get that free too). I suspect that airlines are making everything a la carte so that their fares still look competitive beside discount airlines like Southwest, JetBlue, AirTran and others. Of course, by the time they’re done charging you for everything you’ve spent more than you bargained for.
This thing with the baggage makes it increasingly difficult because with TSA’s 3-1-1 rule, there’s a limit to how much liquid that can be carried in carry-on luggage. I don’t have statistics but I’m willing to bet that the 3-1-1 rule has increased the amount of baggage being checked. Men have probably not noticed a difference but for women it’s crucial as we tend to carry the specific beauty and health products we need because those products work. The condition of our skin and hair can’t be left to using random soap and shampoo in hotel rooms.
As a seasoned business traveler, I’ve learned to pack light. I have also adapted to the 3-1-1 rules as well because sometimes waiting for checked luggage takes too much time when you need to be at a client site as soon as possible. Those that can’t or don’t want to pack light will have to pay the price. One alternative, however, is to try one of the discount airlines that don’t charge for baggage. Goodness knows that I hate the fact that seats are not assigned on Southwest but it’s not too bad if you check in early (online is best). Passengers still line up by group for boarding but now one’s place in line is determined by the order in which he or she checked in. That means that you don’t have to be in line the whole time at the airport so you can actually relax.
Southwest is by no means my favorite airline (I like JetBlue and Virgin America better) and you will find that I have absolutely no loyalty to any airline; or rather, whatever loyalty I do have is directly proportional to price and how I am treated. I declare Southwest the winner in this case though as they had the foresight to protect themselves against rising fuel costs.
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