US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - New Luggage Rules

Had these been previously announced? I hadn't heard, but maybe it was lost in the noise.

"Effective September 4, 2002, USAirways allows each customer to check two bags free of charge. In addition, each customer may transport one carry-on bag plus one small personal item such as a purse, breifcase, laptop computer, small backpack, or diaper bag.

Each additional checked bag is subject to an excess baggage fee as follows:

1st through 3rd: $80 USD each
4th through 6th: $105 USD each
7th or more in excess: $180 USD each.
============

I don't think this is really that big a change. It used to be three in total - three checked and no carry-on, or two checked and one carry-on. At worst, you loose the difference between a large and a carry-on bag. I never check bags anyway.

More interesting, looking back, was my reaction. A week ago I would have figured "well, they are in bankruptcy and two big bags should be enough for anyone, so this is a fair way of charging based on actual consumption. I can live with it"

Today, my initial, gut reaction was "scr&* http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thumbsup.gifng the customer again".

Thanks for the alert. It looks they are trying to slide another decline in service by without notice.

Although I don't usually have a lot of luggage, this is going to affect me. Some of my trips include visits to wineries. On those occasions, it has not been unusual for us to use our full baggage allowance on returning flights (and then some if we are in F).

I wonder how this is going to affect international flights. Baggage limits on some of those routes is set by regulation, not the airlines.

This is going to mess me up in big way, as I have done some serious shopping in Europe! Looks like it is time to think about drinking/smoking the duty free, and throwing away some of the old T-shirts!

Does anyone know how this would stand for ticketed passengers, who bought tickets and started journeys before these regulations came into effect?

Unstated so far in this thread is the fact that US and other airlines are now rigidly enforcing checked baggage size and weight limits. As I recall, max of 62 linear inched (L+W+H) and something around 72 pounds per bag. Some large suitcases exceed this. There was a WSJ article in the past week or two about bags that measured to 61.5 inches.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

Weren't the old regulations a maximum of three bags, with two checked? In other words, this is actually an increase since they specifically spell out four bags now, they just updated their rules to reflect the "personal item" thing established by the TSA and state that it doesn't count against the old maximum of three bags, which seems to me is a good thing, not a bad thing.

>"Each additional checked bag is subject to an excess baggage fee as follows.."

Seems to me that this will affect the new 'valued' leisure traveler. I watch them check in with with zillions of bags.

Jane in PHL

I seem to recall that Delta made the same announcement a few weeks ago.

Anyone know about Ski bags?? They are obvoiusly larger than 64". This will be a big problem for the ski industry and ski vacations if all the airlines charge to transport skis.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Beckles:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

Weren't the old regulations a maximum of three bags, with two checked? In other words, this is actually an increase since they specifically spell out four bags now, they just updated their rules to reflect the "personal item" thing established by the TSA and state that it doesn't count against the old maximum of three bags, which seems to me is a good thing, not a bad thing.</font>


Old regs were 3 total - 3 checked and no carry-on, or 2 checked and 1 carry on. This is still printed on the jackets - the new regs were an insert in the ticket jacket. The agent didn't even mention it - I didn't see it until I was onboard.

I think the "personal bag" used to be an informal policy - purse, diaper bag, etc. never counted. In fact, my wife used to go with purse, diaper bag and "real" carry-ons. The limit on 1 "personal bag" is recent.

I don't know how they ever enforced the no carry-on with 3 checked. I did check 3 one time and just had a friend hold my carry-on as I checked in. No way for the gate agent/FA to know what you checked.

What about weight? Is it 70 lbs per bag (like ua) or 70 lbs total? I think I have been nailed on this and had to put a few things in the co to get the wt for two bags under 70 to avoid another penality charge.

[This message has been edited by laptop (edited 09-05-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Beckles:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

Weren't the old regulations a maximum of three bags, with two checked? In other words, this is actually an increase since they specifically spell out four bags now, they just updated their rules to reflect the "personal item" thing established by the TSA and state that it doesn't count against the old maximum of three bags, which seems to me is a good thing, not a bad thing.</font>

I think that's right -- although the fee schedule looks new (and higher). I thought the old policy was $75 per extra no matter how many?

But unless I'm missing something I think this might be a positive thing. Of course after last week I'm deeply paranoid that I've missed something...

[This message has been edited by TomBascom (edited 09-05-2002).]