Programs: Delta Gold Medallion,AA,USairways,Midwest Airlines, National Emerald Club
Posts: 1,437
Quote:
Originally Posted by SJCFlyerLG
What AA is really doing with this fee is a de facto increase on leisure fares. The majority of business-flying elites don't check bags at all, and the majority of leisure travelers book in advance to get the cheapest fares. I see this as a hidden fare increase more than a fee. It won't affect elite business travelers that check bags, even when they have a leisure flight. Unless the other carriers fail to follow this, it is probably a good idea. Of course, AA may be wiping egg off of its face in a few days...
Perhaps we are missing the proverbial forest because of the trees.
I would say def acto nothing, AA's capacity reductions will allow it to, raise fares
As the fee is for tickets purchased after June 15th, I bet most summer family lesiure travelers would have already purchased their tickets by that time. It'll be the holiday season when the real fun begins.
While I think that the new fee will impact the cabin stowage (and I do care about that), I disagree with your approach. I'm all in favor of having people pay for what they use, rather than having to subsidize it. This is in principle, of course, as the $15 doesn't really matter than much to me in reality.
They reduced prices and stopped serving food in Y; those that want food can buy it. They eliminated drinks in Y on international flights; those that want a drink can buy one. They added a fee for the second bag; want to check two bags- pay for it. This is just the same philosophy. If I don't check a bag, why should I pay for yours (you, in the general sense ).
Let's not try to make this appear any different than what it is. The airline industry in the US has become a pay-for-service proposition. It's not going to change. We can either accept it with a sigh or b$%@& and moan about it.
Cheers.
... he says until the next (and perhaps imminent) "pay for use" item comes down the pike, and a fee is introduced to earn miles on a flight (think AC and pretty much most intl carriers these days). Why should ma & pa once a year MCO flyer subsidize your (or anyone's) mileage trip to Europe?
It takes a village to raise an idiot...er..umm...hmmm...
.
this country grows idiots a dime a dozen, CEOs etc, not just the armchair CEOs, in fact the armchair CEOs probably know more operational logic and foundation than the paid CEOs.
We see examples of it here in this thread, to leading the government, to many other level of business. There is a reason small business can be a standout in a niche market where big business fails that is because of a personal touch. Big business will never understand this they could, I could help them, but they'd not be interested it takes time and hands on from the leadership.
You can easily get to Europe or anywhere else without having to set foot on a plane these days through purchasing items on credit cards and getting points.
Huh? How by QE11?
It's the constant nickel and diming that is just outrageous. Amazing how yesterday's news was all about the airlines receiving the lowest marks from consumers and today American announces charging for the first bag.
As far as some of the problems - did AA consider how this will impact on-time departure? So let's see - it's the beginning of the high travel season where many folks only fly 1 or 2 times a year. They now institute this new rule. A family of 4 will now have an additional $60 added to what they've already paid (and btw - the fares are NOT low these days so people saying well people are only going for low fares are sadly mistaken since they do not exist). Then there is no food, drinks, and/or service once you get on board. The entire experience is miserable all the way around.
Then there won't be enough room in the overhead bins for all of the increased baggage which will cause gate agents to have to tag but then the bags won't make it to the destinations which will cause extra lost baggage fiascos and having to compensate folks which will be more than the $15 they're charging. All in all what a stupid, stupid idea.
A pretty short sighted post on this subject if there ever was one.
Do you really believe AA can afford to keep flying pax at the current cost of fuel? The airline has cut $6B in operational costs within the last few years yet their fuel costs have increased by $1.8B in the last 6 moths alone.
In your mind is that a sustainable busness model?
Which would you actually prefer then? Just doubling of airfares to reflect reality or instituting cost increases which at least give the passenger an option to reduce their cost if they so desire.
Doesnt the reduction in schedule at least indicate to you that just simply operational costs are too high? If this was a simple money making move then why the schedule reductions ????
Programs: AA Plat, DL FO, Marriott Rewards, LANPASS PS, Relais & Châteaux 5C Club, Club Swiss Gold
Posts: 839
Not sure that this new fee for the first checked bag is going to last. The AP just reported that DL is balking..Here is part of the quote, "The planned fee on the first checked bag immediately ran into resistance. Delta Air Lines Inc. spokeswoman Betsy Talton said the Atlanta-based airline is considering all of its options in light of $130-a-barrel oil, but doesn't plan to match the $15 fee American announced."
Although I'm sympathetic with the plight of the airlines with rising costs across the board I'm extremely offended with the method AA chose to implemented this fee.
Instead of an honest "Sorry, due to economic factors we're forced to raise tix prices by $x" they stick it to us with this garbage fee. I'm convinced that it's just to have a bogus "lower price" for all the search engines. What's worse is this is an oxymoron like a "temporary sales tax". Should fuel prices ever go down will this fee go away?
We're a small company, but we make several hundred flights a year on AA. I know it's juvenile but I just sent out a company-wide memo stating that AA is no longer a carrier of choice and any bookings on AA must be approved in advance with supporting documentation that it is at least $100 lower than any other flight option. This policy will remain in place even if the other carriers follow suit. I'm not making any friends but feel I'm doing what little I can not to reward bad behavior.
I was also not amused by the chirpy "Be Prepared, Pack Like A Pro" line at the bottom of their Updated Checked Baggage Policy page.
So are elites allowed now only one checked bag for free or are they still allowed two checked bags for free? The wording on the website is a little unclear on this.
We've seen some schedule reductions by the legacies, but perhaps the high cost of fuel will finally result in one of the majors closing down, and we'll see the significant domestic capacity reduction we would've seen post-9/11 in the absence of the government supports.
If that occurs, then an airline's goal would be primarily to be profitable, of course, but secondarily simply to not go bankrupt as quickly as the other airlines, so it can still be in operation post-shakeout.
