Originally Posted by
s0ssos
There are 2 separate and distinct issues. One is whether an item is special. Just because an item is listed under "special" does not mean it has a fee. It may have a fee. Actually, anything may have a fee.
But if the item has a special item fee, that fee does not get waived even for status.
FlyerCo's point about "special handling" is just bogus, probably a regurgitation of what Delta agents say. A bike bag that is small doesn't require special handling (it could even come out with normal baggage, depending on the shape others may not even know it is a bike bag). They just charge you a fee because they want to charge you a fee.
I'm pretty sure golf bags require special handling. Why don't they have a fee? That was my whole point. Some, like strollers and carseats, are required by law to be free. Golf clubs are not, as far as I know. Yet why are they free? Across all carriers (well, I don't know about Spirit).
The reason for charging fees is different from discussing when fees can be applied in accordance with airlines’ policies. Airlines are for-profit businesses. I think If they were incurring higher costs from damaging hardsided golf bags and could charge a fee for handling them without losing business, they probably would. Golfing and skiing are common sports with baggage, so if one airline charged a fee, people would move elsewhere. But niche sporting equipment like bicycles and surfboards are much rarer, so I don’t think an airline would lose as much business in this area. I think any discussion about the reasons for bag fees will eventually end with “because people are willing to pay.” Bag fees came around more when fuel became expensive, but they didn’t go away when fuel became cheap again.