Preloading carry-ons
Jun 2, 2015, 9:07 am
#31
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: PVU, SLC
Programs: DL Pork Medallion, PP, GE
Posts: 1,657
However, to get on a tangent, as orderly as WN's boarding process seems, there are still hangups. They're all in line, spaced out due to the several-seconds delay to scan a boarding pass, but then they all get jammed up again as people try to decide which seat they want, scoot past others, put bags in the overhead (and block the aisle). I guess the only reason I bring that up is because of the constant debate of "if they got rid of bag fees, people would check more bags, there'd be less congestion in the aisles, and people would get their coveted bin space." It seems like the airlines have different pieces of the puzzle, but no one has been able to put them together yet.
Jun 2, 2015, 10:04 am
#32
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: ORD / MDW / FLL
Programs: DL DM/1MM, AA EXP, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,295
Perfectly fine with DL and other airlines charging for checked bags. I carry-on 95% of the time and am not interested in having my fares go up for a service I do not use.
That said, I can see how this new "enhancement" will play out...
"Oh, we're sorry Mr. SOBE ER DOC, but your bag doesn't fit in the overhead so our valet staff have checked it to your final destination. You can pick it up in baggage claim when you arrive." On only buy approved size cary-ons but I can totally see this happening.
That said, I can see how this new "enhancement" will play out...
"Oh, we're sorry Mr. SOBE ER DOC, but your bag doesn't fit in the overhead so our valet staff have checked it to your final destination. You can pick it up in baggage claim when you arrive." On only buy approved size cary-ons but I can totally see this happening.
Jun 2, 2015, 10:13 am
#33
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,404
I agree, I would pay for this service. This would allow me to spend 20 more minutes in the Sky Club, and many other elites and frequent travelers could walk up and board late after the more casual travelers have taken their seats.
Also offering this to elites (who generally sit in aisles) makes more sense. If we board in group 1, and sit down, we have to stand up for grandma and grandpa in the window and middle. Having our bag already on board means we would board shortly before the door, walk on and sit down.
Also offering this to elites (who generally sit in aisles) makes more sense. If we board in group 1, and sit down, we have to stand up for grandma and grandpa in the window and middle. Having our bag already on board means we would board shortly before the door, walk on and sit down.
Jun 2, 2015, 10:38 am
#34
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Programs: DL PM / SPG Gold
Posts: 562
The problem is that the bag is out of your control, so anything that you wouldn't put into a checked bag, such as medicine, electronics, jewelry, and other valuables, would need to be removed. If there's concern about the bag being mispaced--for example if it's taken from the passenger before the gate--then you would also need to place needed items for the first day or so at your destination into your smaller carry on piece. For many people, this would become almost as big of a nuisance as checking a bag.
I think getting bag from SC to OHB is a different risk operation than checking a bag. YMMV.
David
Jun 2, 2015, 11:00 am
#35
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: TPA
Programs: United - PG, Marriott Silver
Posts: 1,625
Wonder what happens when someone comes up and drops off their laptop bag, coat, purse off for valet, do they get snubbed?
Another possible solution would be to check small bags for free when pax are already paying to check a large bag.
Example: A few weeks back I flew TPA-LAX, SEA-TPA with a family member. We each had a full sized bag and a roll-aboard. On the outbound we checked the full-size (free as an FO) and carried on the two smaller bags (saved $25/bag). On the inbound we were upgraded and thus had SP so we checked all 4 bags.
Although I know there are exceptions, most of the time it seems the number of bags to be gate checked is minimal, so if you could proactively check ~15 small bags a flight, you would put a big dent in the problem.
Another possible solution would be to check small bags for free when pax are already paying to check a large bag.
Example: A few weeks back I flew TPA-LAX, SEA-TPA with a family member. We each had a full sized bag and a roll-aboard. On the outbound we checked the full-size (free as an FO) and carried on the two smaller bags (saved $25/bag). On the inbound we were upgraded and thus had SP so we checked all 4 bags.
Although I know there are exceptions, most of the time it seems the number of bags to be gate checked is minimal, so if you could proactively check ~15 small bags a flight, you would put a big dent in the problem.
Jun 2, 2015, 11:18 am
#36
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: DL PM MM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 3,276
However, I'm against internalizing the cost of baggage into the fare. I like the current system of paying only for the services you need. I think it's fair.
Last edited by SJC ORD LDR; Jun 2, 2015 at 3:34 pm Reason: typos
Jun 2, 2015, 3:10 pm
#37
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Between BDL and PVD
Programs: RapidRewards, SkyPesos, whatever flies where I want to go.
Posts: 270
Gate checking bags in kind of a loophole in the system, in that it's free, but I don't think most people know about it, so they don't know to do it.
However, I'm against internalizing the cost of baggage into the fare. I like the current system of paying only for the services you need. I think it's fair.
Jun 2, 2015, 3:41 pm
#39
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: DL PM MM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 3,276
Then why fly DL? Fly on Spirit or Frontier, that's their model. Carry-on? Fee. Printed ticket? Fee. WN saves money by allowing 2 free checked bags, as they can turn their planes faster, and makes things better for everyone. They also have the smaller bins on their 7H4's, so the big bags take up a crapload of space.
There is no way I'll ever fly NK. Not with a 28" pitch. Never. F9 isn't too much better IMO. Plus, loyalty to NK gets you nothing as far as I can tell.
With DL (and AA, UA, and US), once you fly 25k miles, you get fee waivers, access to more comfortable seats, and several other amenities that make travel much less unpleasant.
As for bins filling up, I've seen it happen on WN as well back in the 1990's. It happens.
Last edited by SJC ORD LDR; Jun 2, 2015 at 3:44 pm Reason: added paragraph
Jun 2, 2015, 8:19 pm
#40
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Between BDL and PVD
Programs: RapidRewards, SkyPesos, whatever flies where I want to go.
Posts: 270
There is no way I'll ever fly NK. Not with a 28" pitch. Never. F9 isn't too much better IMO. Plus, loyalty to NK gets you nothing as far as I can tell.
With DL (and AA, UA, and US), once you fly 25k miles, you get fee waivers, access to more comfortable seats, and several other amenities that make travel much less unpleasant.
As for bins filling up, I've seen it happen on WN as well back in the 1990's. It happens.
Jun 2, 2015, 8:41 pm
#41
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: CA
Programs: DL DM, AA Gold
Posts: 223
Aside from that my company has a policy whereby my laptop and any sensitive material must not be out of my possession while traveling.
Jun 2, 2015, 8:43 pm
#42
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: Delta PM, HHonors Gold; SPG Gold
Posts: 254
This is the most idiotic plan yet that I've heard from Delta. First it was the racket they are running with legroom and "Economy Plus", where they are the proverbial "Tony", steal your seat legroom, and then try to sell it back to you for more. Then it was the "Economy Basic" BS which is basically a bait and switch campaign to show lower prices for a service that no one actually would want in the search engines, I guess to compete with WN or some of the ULCC's or something.
And now this. This is a new low in completely and utterly idiotic things that DL is doing. The overhead bin space thing is utterly ridiculous. I do not check bags, but some people, in fact, many people, are willing to check their bags if there are no checked baggage fees. WN turns and loads planes faster by having fewer carry-ons, and more stuff handled by the rampers. AS does the same thing within Alaska, minus the faster loading, since they take forever to board anyway, but at least most of it is just chilling in your seat, and not wrangling, cramming, and slamming bags.
Therefore, even though I don't check bags, I greatly benefit from WN's no checked bags fees. DL's system before was semi-functional if I took a seat in the back so that I could get carry-on space. Now with this BS, I can't get carry-on space, since it will all be filled up already.
DL already lost my business, so much as I can avoid them, a long time ago, to WN, even though I go to DTW at least once a year, and thus have to bounce through BWI on WN. But stuff like this is just galvanizing my complete and total hatred for their ridiculous practices.
DL should shape up in the following ways:
1. Scrap this idiotic plan.
2. 2 free checked bags for every passenger
3. Get rid of Economy Plus and Economy Minus, give every Economy seat 32". If I'm going to pay more than WN, I at least want what WN gives you, which is 31" or 32".
That would still leave first class, and their inefficient and archaic assigned seat model, but AS has those, and AS is still OK.
And now this. This is a new low in completely and utterly idiotic things that DL is doing. The overhead bin space thing is utterly ridiculous. I do not check bags, but some people, in fact, many people, are willing to check their bags if there are no checked baggage fees. WN turns and loads planes faster by having fewer carry-ons, and more stuff handled by the rampers. AS does the same thing within Alaska, minus the faster loading, since they take forever to board anyway, but at least most of it is just chilling in your seat, and not wrangling, cramming, and slamming bags.
Therefore, even though I don't check bags, I greatly benefit from WN's no checked bags fees. DL's system before was semi-functional if I took a seat in the back so that I could get carry-on space. Now with this BS, I can't get carry-on space, since it will all be filled up already.
DL already lost my business, so much as I can avoid them, a long time ago, to WN, even though I go to DTW at least once a year, and thus have to bounce through BWI on WN. But stuff like this is just galvanizing my complete and total hatred for their ridiculous practices.
DL should shape up in the following ways:
1. Scrap this idiotic plan.
2. 2 free checked bags for every passenger
3. Get rid of Economy Plus and Economy Minus, give every Economy seat 32". If I'm going to pay more than WN, I at least want what WN gives you, which is 31" or 32".
That would still leave first class, and their inefficient and archaic assigned seat model, but AS has those, and AS is still OK.
angry much?
Jun 2, 2015, 9:02 pm
#44
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: PDX
Posts: 7
How though is this going to affect elites? I have plat status and, when I don't get the FC upgrade, count on getting my bin space above the exit rows. Does this mean a significant percentage of overhead bin space will be taken by carryons (presumably kettle carryons) and therefore not available to elites who board in SKY zone?
Jun 2, 2015, 9:04 pm
#45
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,881
The FA was confused... "weren't you checking them for free at the gate?" And I said "Only if they're actually size-compliant! Everyone would haul their giant bags up to the gate if they expected them for free. It's punishing the guys who play by the rules."