Originally Posted by
Indelaware
Clearly, the most egregious carry on abuse that I have seen is the airline policy forcing passengers not to check.
Sorry - no airline forces anyone to carry on anything through bag fees. I understand people don't want to pay bag fees (or other a la carte fees), but let's not forget that a large percentage of passengers also refuse to accept to pay it as part of the price of the ticket - they want to pay the lowest cost above all else, and complain about what they don't get later. You can't get a nice steak for the price of a McDonalds hamburger. Without the ability to raise fares (well, for a long time, not so much anymore), the airlines had to do something - bag fees, fees for meals, etc. were what they chose. Not sure about right now, but for a long time, those fees were the only thing keeping airlines from loosing $ each quarter.
Originally Posted by
fastair
Problem existed long before baggage fees for up to two free checked bags. ... And those that get 1 or 2 free bags traditionally carry on the most... There are plenty of places worldwide that charge for checked luggage that don't have this issue, the difference is the culture.
Completely agree with these points (though maybe not elites traditionally carrying on "the most", but from what I see, are clearly at least equally part of the problem. Bag fees most certainly
contribute to the problem, but are far from
the cause of it.
Originally Posted by
Often1
2. It's infantile to argue that you ought to be able to scam a steamer trunk aboard because you don't happen to like the carrier's bag policy. Don't like it, go fly WN and get your two free bags. Some do.
Agree. Everyone buying a ticket (on any carrier) has access to know what they are allowed to bring on board, what they're not, and what the charges are for checking. They can use this as part of the decision process on what airline they want to fly. But buying a ticket on UA, and protesting their policies by breaking them is silly. Complain on FT, fine...write a letter to CS, fine. But making up the rules because they don't like a fee is not the way to go (I'm trying to say this extermely nicely, here). The market has spoken by saying they'd rather have cheaper fares then everything included. You can't get everything you want when you ain't willing to pay for it.
Originally Posted by
Kacee
The really good FAs will watch and protect F bin space. But agree the limits should be enforced at the gate.
This...as well as space over the bulkhead. I once was in row 7 in a 757, and the doors to the bins over row 7 & 8 were closed. I thought they were all full, but as it was clear I was moving to sit in 7, the FA came over, opened it for me and said she left it closed by default to make sure those in the bulkheads have space. Wish this was policy for F and bulkhead...and allow others to use the space only if there is room once everyone is on board.
Originally Posted by
HNLbasedFlyer
I agree - but free bags for everyone is just going to make airfare go up for everyone regardless of elite status.
And continuing from my statement above, herein lies the problem. Most don't want to pay even a few cents more for a ticket, but expects full-service - the market in general has been clear about this. If tickets don't cover the cost of the service, then I don't know what else will besides the a la carte fees. By the way, I don't think this is limited to non-frequent fliers - I consider the cry's of folks about PQD requirements in the same ballpark - folks that want elite benefits as freebies without willing to pay their fare share.