Originally Posted by
NickB
I do not think that this can be the case as it would involve increasing massively minimum connection times, which would have a serious adverse effect on the attractiveness of the airline. It would also prevent any connection for passengers without visas for passengers who require a visa at the intermediate point, which again would make the airline unattractive on itineraries like, for instance, India to the US.
What they could do, if they wanted to discourage baggage, would be to systematically calculate baggage fees on a per segment basis.
I forsee the end of free checked luggage, as with most legacy carriers in the US. If there is a market for interlining, someone will start a business offering that service to the carriers for a fee which cab be passed on to the pax.
Those who really need checked luggage, have a tight connection, need to avoid an overnight and so on, will gladly pay for the convenience and the fee can include some form of insurance / reimbursement for the enhanced risk of misconnection / loss.