My Skymiles Platinum card just became sooooo much more valuable. Now a family of 4 saves $240 round trip when checking 4 bags! haha

As someone who flies WN quite a bit (A-List) who sees full overhead bins all the time, I'm not sure if free checked bags would even matter--I think people just prefer to keep their bags with them if they can.

True. It depends on the route, if it's a business route, there is always a fight for the overhead bins since even those of us who can check 3 bags for free don't want to deal with checking a bag. If it's a leisure route, then people will actually check and there isn't a fight for the overhead bin. I've seen bins fill on legacy carriers even before baggage fees.

The only time the I've seen empty bins is when you were banned from bringing any liquids on board. It was great, you could board last any have room for your carry-on (I was commuting between two places and I had a full compliment of toiletries at each location, so no need to carry liquids.)

There has been plenty of room in the bins the couple of times I have flow G4 and F9. I wonder what UA's bins are like with no overhead for basic economy?

On the few times I have flown WN where 2 bags are still free i see people fight for overhead space and run out of space in the same time as DL. Even with free bags people seem to think they need to drag everything on the plane with them.

Why not allow carry-on eligible bags ot be checked for free at front of airport?
 

I am still waiting for an airline to announce that carry-on eligible bags may be checked for free at the front of the airport. If you can check them for free at the gate, why not allow them to be checked for free at the front counter? Seems like it is a win-win for everyone: speeds up security lines, eliminates hassle of gate agents having to deal with checked bags, speeds boarding, opens up more bin space for those who just have to have their bags with them, passenger can check their bag and then be free of it until they get to their destination. The only people who lose are stockholders in "Trial Sized Toiletries R us, Inc."

For the record, I am GM and I often check carry-on eligible bags out front, unless it looks like my itinerary may be subject to irrops.

Any wild guesses as to what percentage of bags actual incur the fee? Between status, Amex, and non-BE international fares I image the majority are flying without additional charge. Bag fees really seem more of an abstract carrot than an actual stick.

Because the reason for charging for checked bags is to help ensure that the overhead bins are full by stopping people from checking smaller bags they could carry on. Full overhead bins mean consistently fewer bags in the cargo hold which means more lucrative air freight. Delta wants the cargo hold full as much as possible: either with paid for bags or, even better, paid for cargo.

Yes, of course. But the person was asking why they wouldn't let him check a carry-on bag for free. And that is because they want the overhead bins full to make sure there is the maximum amount of space available for cargo (as well as reduce handling expenses). That's why I said they want the cargo hold filled with either paid bags or cargo.

Aligning with industry norms. :rolleyes:

And it is not taxed by Uncle Sam as are the tickets/fares themselves.

Its more than the amount,the fact that you need to keep track of the additional fees is an issue for me personally. I would rather pay $30 more on a ticket than be surprised that the baggage fee is $30. Again, most of the time, we forget to account for it in return...so essentially its +60$.