Originally Posted by
DFW_Airwolf
Well I do believe that CHARGING for overhead space may be inevitable. Many people never believed the airlines would charge for Baggage, Food, Blankets etc. But they do now !!!
So charging for Overhead BIN space may be the next big revenue idea. Then if you cant put it in the floor in front of you, KaChing, please deposit more $$$ please.
So far it seems the FF's here have a certain ARROGANCE about "I am a FF & I get to do what I want". Overall something FAIR needs to be done.
Charging really seems the way to go here. Firstly it makes sense and is equitable. Including exempting pax with status. (I believe most people don't object to status pax getting perks as long as those perks are transparent.) Secondly, airlines have opened up an iniquitous arbitrage opportunity by charging for checked luggage. ("Mabel, now you listen to me: you take that kitchen sink as hand luggage or the greedy airline will charge you for extra luggage.")
Of course, they won't charge the elites for this, if they do implement the policy. Fair? People who spend more with a given business get more perks than those who don't. Many would consider that fair. Those who do not frequent the business but still want all the perks apparently do not.
Cheers.
As for fairness, *A gives extra checked baggage allowance, I can't see the problem with extra hand luggage allowance (IMO a much more desirable perk).
Originally Posted by
MCI2OMA2ATL
The biggest and best solution to this problem is to STOP CHARGING NON FFs FOR THE FIRST BAG TO BE CHECKED.
After the implementation of the "no liquid rule" the overhead space was always wide open. There was plenty of space because a big percentage of people didn't want to mess with ziplocks and such. When the airlines started charging the masses for checking bags all of a sudden the bins filled back up again. Make the cases free to check and then most won't be up in the overhead bin to start with.
I agree to a point. But actually I think the airlines have got it all wrong. They should have started charging for extra hand luaggage, not checked luggage. That way they would have had the sympathy of the other pax who (as evidenced by this thread) deeply resent the selfish behaviour of the bin hogs.
Currently the conversation at check-in goes like this:
GA: I'm afraid I will have to charge you for the second checked bag.
Pax: That's outrageous. In that case I'll take it as hand luggage.
How much better for all concerned if it went like this:
GA: Here's your label for the one piece of hand luggage you are allowed. Oh, you have more pieces... that will be $xx per piece unless you check them.
Pax: That's outrageous. In that case I'll check this and this.
Originally Posted by
Scots_Al
Hmm, that's a bit backward - airlines are starting to charge for checked bags, not only because it is a source of revenue, but also to discourage people to check bags, which has the twin benefits of reducing their ground handling costs and turn-around times.
I have to say, I have rarely seen this become a major issue in Europe, and am shocked everytime I fly in the States at the size of carry-ons that people bring (and are allowed!). Perhaps the simplest solution is simply to reduce carry-on size limits. The way things are these days with liquids, if you are travelling for more than a few days, you'll probably be packing more liquids than you can get in the little plastic bag, and so checking a bag anyway - why would you then want to carry more than you have to onboard?
I doubt they mind the handling if they get paid for it. Maybe they would even do it better if they were.
I'm all for this. I am no longer a frequent flyer so I don't have the privileges I used to have. I HATE carting my suitcase around and would prefer to check it. My $30 can be better spent elsewhere, so now my bag is in the overhead taking up space. When it was free, I never, ever put anything in the overhead--just put a purse and backpack under the seat in front of me.
Support for my thesis.
Reasons to carry on:
1. Less risk of your bag being lost, delayed, or stolen.
2. If you avoid checking any bags, you do not have to wait at the baggage carousel.
3. If you avoid checking any bags, you have more options for doing standby, rebooking, etc.
All very valid. Why don't airlines realise that they are
begging pax to take everything on board?