I'm not an air warrior like many of you, but I do my fair share of domestic and TATL flights a year and have for many years. you regulars likely have a better perspective on this than I do.

I do agree with others that this move is likely to make boarding a bigger mess than it is right now as everyone fights for overhead bin space. And, I also believe the airlines have to do something to cover shyrocketing costs...but let's get real.

Strictly from a Customer Service (sorry, I had to say it)...and PR perspective...it seems just plain dumb to continue to tack on these annoying fees. It seems to me that ratcheting up fuel surcharges is legit...everyone's dealing with it at home, at work and would make the connection with flying. Unless, of course, I'm completely naive and it's really not about covering increaed fuel costs but just an excuse to make a few extra bucks.

my concern is a longer backup at the checkin counter. i usually check in online or at a kiosk, but if i for some reason have to talk to a ticket agent, will i have to wait FOREVER while people pay the $15 to check their bags? this could mean that lines at the ticket counters will become unbearable.

Delta is already charging $25 for gate checked bags on non-regional jets. Credit cards only. If you don't have a credit card, they send you all the way back out to the ticket counter to check your extra bag.

They don't care if you miss your flight!

Because (correct me if I'm wrong) those are low-cost airlines. Some LCCs in the US also charge for just about everything, but this represents further "dumbing-down" of the once-proud Class 1 carriers (aka "legacy").

As I posted elsewhere, just raise the :mad: fares and be done with this nickel-and-diming.

Admittedly, I've only flown non-U.S. carriers as part of a codeshare or NF/NC award. But I've never seen any evidence of per bag fee collections as such at European airports; just for over-weight bags, extra bags, odd-sized checked items. What am I missing?

Pack Light! Understand?
 

The KLM site has a good description of it. Within Europe they go by weight only, regardless of the number of pieces. For international and code share flights they go by piece, but still with (higher) weight limits

And we do have it good. For comparison, I just looked up two 300 mile trips on non RJ jets, cheap economy ticket, flyer with no elite status, no oddball oversize or overweight bags.

NW on a DC 9: Carry on one 45 inch dimension bag, plus one accessory (briefcase, laptop, or backpack), no weight limit. Checked: one bag, max 50 pounds. To check a second 50 pound bag is $25. So NW will carry 100 pounds checked for $25 total surcharge one way.

KLM on a 737: Suppose on an AMS vacation you want to make a side trip to Berlin and buy a local tic not related to TATL travel. Carry on one 45 inch bag plus accessories, max weight total for bag and accessories 12 kg/26.4 pounds. Checked baggage weight 20 kg/44 pounds.

Close so far, but if you are a typical too much baggage Americal tourist, watch out. For your checked bag, anything over your 44 pound allowance is 12 Euro per KG One Way. That is USD $8.17 per pound one way. :eek: To check the same 100 pounds is a $457.52 surcharge. :eek: :eek: :eek:

Got baggage in AMS? Take the train to Berlin. :D

Agreed.

(copied from another forum)
It would be perfectly fair to put up a pay station in the gate area. You would pay for checkable bags whether or not you succeeded in carrying them into the cabin. You would not pay for qualifying carry-on bags whether or not some got gate checked. If you skipped the pay station and headed for the jetway, you might get singled out and sent back to pay for items. If time got short, the pay station might close up without processing everybody who then proceeds to the jetway.

Actually they should have started charging for carry-ons before this first checked bag issue came up. Speed up boarding and/or enjoy a big cash cow.

Travel tips: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

Discourage AA $15 check bag fee - pack rocks
 

OK, it childish of me. But if AA is trying to increase revenue by charging $15 for the 1st checked bag, I say that you make sure that your checked bag is as heavy as permitted before going to the airport by packing a rock or two in your bag. This way, the combined effect over many travelers would be increased fuel consumption and defeat the revenue generating angle. If you over-estimate your weight, just pull out your rock and have agent re-weigh your bag.

its a good idea, but you realize it would do nothing other than to increase the charge for the first bag or remove elite allowances, unless the airline were aware of what you were doing.