JetBlue TrueBlue - Jet Blue, Delta to charge for curb check-ins

From today's Boston Herald

Jet Blue, Delta to charge for curb check-ins

By Donna Goodison | Tuesday, February 5, 2008 | http://www.bostonherald.com

JetBlue [JBLU] Airways and Delta Air Lines will start charging a $2-per-bag fee for luggage checked in curbside at the Boston airport.

They join US Airways, United Airlines and American Airlines [AMR], which already charge the fees, as carriers look to cut costs and generate more revenue amid continued sky-high fuel prices.

The airlines are betting that customers will be willing to fork over a few extra dollars to skycaps for the premium service, which comes with the convenience of not having to drag luggage into the terminals and avoiding long lines at check-in counters.

But it may be skycaps who feel the pinch. When other carriers started charging the fees several years ago, they raised concerns that passengers would be less likely to tip if they’re charged for service.

JetBlue will start charging the $2 fee today in Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Newark, New York (JFK and LaGuardia) and San Diego, spokeswoman Alison Eshelman said. The fee will be charged at all airports that offer JetBlue’s Express Curbside Check-in by April. check-ins at JetBlue service counters inside terminals will remain free.

Nearly 12 percent of JetBlue’s Logan customers used curbside check-ins in the last six months. Although airlines generally use third-party partners to run the operations, they still incur costs for the service.

“The goal is not to create new revenue for the airline through Express Check-In fees, but to mitigate (staff and fuel) costs to keep fares low,” Eshelman said. “This nominal charge reflects the value our customers place on the premium service provided based on customer feedback we received during our testing phase in Boston and San Diego.”

Delta, which disclosed last week that it was investigating curbside check-in fees, also plans to institute a $2 charge at Logan, according to a Massport source.

http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1071330

I'm all in favor of nominal fees for services like this; a nominal charge tends to keep the curbside line short enough to make it a preferred option. Before AA began charging a few years ago, the lines could be horrendous. Now, skycaps sometimes are able to actually greet the departing pax and help retrieve the bags from the trunk. And to the louts who no longer tip because they're being charged a measly $2 each - their parents did a lousy job of teaching them how to behave when traveling. May their bags end up somewhere else.

I don't have a problem with the fee either. What I do have a problem with is the "surprise" factor. What do I mean by that? If I did not read this forum and I was flying on the red eye tonight from the west coast to NY, I would arrive at the airport, expecting a blanket, pillow, earphones, no charge to check my bags at the curb..... Go it?

Go to jetblue.com and find these changes.

The curbside check in fee is buried in the HELP section. There is no mention of a charge for headphones and it still states that they offer a limited suppy of blankets and pillows on each flight (with no mention of a fee)

Jetblue has no problems e-mailing me everytime they start a sale and sending another e-mail to remind me the sale is about to expire. They e-mail me when they announce new cities. Why can't they e-mail members of their trueblue program with an update to let us know that there is a change of policy at jetblue?

Do they really think it is better to leave their airport personal to handle corporates dirty work?

Long Distance,

I agree with you about the short notice. However, jetBlue DOES in fact email us when there is a change in policy. If you read your monthly TrueBlue statement, you'll see (usually on the right-hand bar) captions of policy announcements. I recall notices regard things such as the change in checked baggage maximum weight from 70 lbs. to 50 lbs., the cashless cabin (recent), etc. I'm sure this new announcement will appear in the next email.

I commend jetBlue for not flooding my inbox with "junk" like AA, NK, etc. One email a month with my TB statement and some announcements plus the sales are great.

As far as the $2 for checked curb-side baggage goes: customer :td: Revenue ^

I was under the impression that the sky caps are outsourced in most cities to another vendor. I forgot the name of the company but I think it starts with "P"?? Maybe Premier. Will jetBlue get the $2 fee?

I tip no matter what - because it's not the individual's problem that their company chooses to charge for services. However, there are unfortunately people that will not tip under those conditions. Now, what would be fair is to implement a fee that would INCLUDE a reasonable tip - for those who refuse to tip "additionally"

I don't check bags in so no problem to me. It is just like valet, you pay for this service. It is not something you have to use. Simply go inside.

Long Distance,

I agree with you about the short notice. However, jetBlue DOES in fact email us when there is a change in policy. If you read your monthly TrueBlue statement, you'll see (usually on the right-hand bar) captions of policy announcements. I recall notices regard things such as the change in checked baggage maximum weight from 70 lbs. to 50 lbs., the cashless cabin (recent), etc. I'm sure this new announcement will appear in the next email.


I stand corrected. I did not know this as I never open that e-mail as I usually check my statement online a few times a month.

[QUOTE=Long Distance;9196746]and it still states that they offer a limited suppy of blankets and pillows on each flight (with no mention of a fee)/QUOTE]

As of right now, official policy still remains to offer a limited supply of pillows and blankets on each flight.

“The goal is not to create new revenue for the airline through Express Check-In fees, but to mitigate (staff and fuel) costs to keep fares low,” Eshelman said. “This nominal charge reflects the value our customers place on the premium service provided based on customer feedback we received during our testing phase in Boston and San Diego.”


I'm calling bull here. If it isn't about incremental revenue then they'd charge for all checked bags. The "additional staff" is non-existent - those employess are either non-B6 employed sky caps or would need to be employed anyways inside to be able to handle the volume of checked bags. And the fuel burn is the same regardless of where the bag is checked in. He actually admits in the next line that is is a paid premium service option. Cash grab, plain and simple :rolleyes:

AA started it a while ago and hasn't looked back, and I'm sure that DL and B6 will make some extra money on this, but not from me. Of course, I almost never check bags anyways, so they'd never make the money from me, but that's a different story.