UAL to charge $25 to check second bag for certain customers and other related changes
Feb 4, 2008, 1:17 pm
#121
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My point was that ALL airline customers demand as much as possible for as little cost as possible.
With the heady growth of the point to point carriers (rather than hub carriers) this has simply been increased.
In order to compete with WN (and others) for a certain segment of the population - those that make their flight decisions on the basis of the cheapest fare shown on Travelocity or Orbitz:
They NEED TO DO THIS SORT OF THING. Period.
UA also said that only 25% of their customers check more than 1 bag now, so the panic about lost revenue and customer base being shown on this thread are, IMO, baseless.
Best, Dave
Feb 4, 2008, 1:24 pm
#125
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Best, Dave
Feb 4, 2008, 1:24 pm
#126
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Boo for this move.
Feb 4, 2008, 1:31 pm
#128
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It's beyond me why anyone would travel with 3 bags. I don't think I have traveled with more than one checked bag in over a decade (and I still generally bring too much stuff even in that one suitcase). Most of the time I travel with just carry-on.
Since WN indicates 2% of their travelers fall into the 3 bag category, I would think chances are pretty slim of UA having many families of 4 traveling with three bags EACH. What kind of rental car are they going to get at the destination anyway? And what are they going to do with all that stuff during their one-a-year Disneyland vacation?
People just have too much stuff (and I include myself in that).
Since WN indicates 2% of their travelers fall into the 3 bag category, I would think chances are pretty slim of UA having many families of 4 traveling with three bags EACH. What kind of rental car are they going to get at the destination anyway? And what are they going to do with all that stuff during their one-a-year Disneyland vacation?
People just have too much stuff (and I include myself in that).
That is one reason I loved the 1P (and now 1K) 3 bags at 70 lb limit.
Feb 4, 2008, 1:31 pm
#129
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I often go a week with just a carry on, but as I said, I was the lead at a conference and I just got back from a trip where I checked 2 bags for my return. I could see checking 2-3 bags for people that are setting up equipment or products for trade shows in the event that the items are not pre-shipped to the venue. The checked baggage made the security screening and airport experience better since I didn't have to shlep all that equipment and literature around with me the whole time.
Feb 4, 2008, 1:34 pm
#130
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You all are looking at this from the wrong angle. Rather than an erosion of standard enhancements, you should look at it as an enhancement of elite benefits! 
Feb 4, 2008, 1:34 pm
#131
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I think that's probably right. FWIW: 'friendliness' is not always the best way to make $$ in the airline biz, but that's for another thread. 
Time will tell. Only long run revenue enhancement and profit maximization will answer that question.
I have a deep seated suspicion that UA is aware of the ramifications of this move. Others may disagree - so be it.
Best, Dave
Time will tell. Only long run revenue enhancement and profit maximization will answer that question.
I have a deep seated suspicion that UA is aware of the ramifications of this move. Others may disagree - so be it.
Best, Dave
Feb 4, 2008, 1:34 pm
#132
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It affects people that are changing residence or relocating temporarily domestically.
The list goes on even as it is only a minority of passengers domestically who check two bags in.
I sometimes check in two bags because of the stupid "war on liquids" being waged by the Department of Homeland (In)Security.
Feb 4, 2008, 1:36 pm
#133
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Feb 4, 2008, 1:37 pm
#134
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I think that's probably right. FWIW: 'friendliness' is not always the best way to make $$ in the airline biz, but that's for another thread.
Time will tell. Only long run revenue enhancement and profit maximization will answer that question.
I have a deep seated suspicion that UA is aware of the ramifications of this move. Others may disagree - so be it.
Best, Dave
Time will tell. Only long run revenue enhancement and profit maximization will answer that question.
I have a deep seated suspicion that UA is aware of the ramifications of this move. Others may disagree - so be it.
Best, Dave
Feb 4, 2008, 1:38 pm
#135
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Your simplistic view and analysis of UA's revenue situation doesn't give me CONFIDENCE that it's the former - sorry.
Best, Dave