Airlines - charging extra for EVERYTHING??

[bicker]

If they start charging over $200 to fly to Orlando from DC, then they're definitely losing much of my business

The issue, though, Nala, is whether the American taxpayer should continue to subsidize cheap flights to Orlando.

 

[ducklite]

There is another problem. I have computer case that is on the large size. (It rolls etc.) On most planes it fits under the seat with NO problem. IF however, the airline has put in those cute little seat power ports or personal TVs it has to go overhead! Those "toys" take up a decent amount of space!

I use one of these:

for my laptop, and pack it in my roll on. My biggest issue is that I've got $4000 worth of camera gear that I have to lug along. The gear bag fits easily under the seat in front of me, and my laptop generally fits along with it.

I *NEED* both for work. If they limit me to "one" carryon, what happens--they won't take the responsibility for either, and both are too fragile to get thumped around as cargo.

I'd gladly pay a reasonable fee to carry on and be guaranteed space. But if I"m told I can't carry on my fragile electronics, they had beeter start rethinking their contract of carriage.

Bicker--I think that most of the carriers will not alieninate their premiere customers by telling them only one carryon. I would rather see them begin to enforce the rules they have now. That's really all it would take.

Anne

 

[bicker]

Yeah, I don't think they'll limit folks to one carry-on, but they may very-well charge an extra fee for more than one, and waive it for million-milers.

 

[TDC Nala]

The issue, though, Nala, is whether the American taxpayer should continue to subsidize cheap flights to Orlando.

If they want the airlines to stay in business, they will. If they don't, the prices can go up, and people will stop flying, and only the airlines that can weather the storm will stay in business. If that's what should happen, then it will. If I have to stay home because I can't afford the flights, then I'll stay home. So will an awful lot of other people.

 

[bicker]

I suspect that there are more than just those two options, such as the airlines increasing their prices, either through fare increases or surcharges, and very few passengers changing their plans as a result.

 

[DisFlan]

If they want the airlines to stay in business, they will. If they don't, the prices can go up, and people will stop flying, and only the airlines that can weather the storm will stay in business. If that's what should happen, then it will. If I have to stay home because I can't afford the flights, then I'll stay home. So will an awful lot of other people.

Then things will have come full circle. It'll be like back before the airlines were de-regulated. Back when the airlines were profitable - and most people couldn't afford to fly. And no matter where you wanted to fly to or from, you had a choice of about two flights, if you were lucky.

(Possibly) interesting aside: in 1969, I paid $109 for a one-way ticket on AA from Kansas City to Miami. Back then, that was a LOT of money. I remember because it was the first ticket I bought with my own money. (As a reference, $20,000 was a good annual salary and you could get a nice 3-bd home for less than $30,000.)


DisFlan

 

[DebbieB]

One thing to consider is the cost business travelers pay. I have to fly PIT-EWR (Newark) next Thursday, out and back the same day, it cost $793! That's where the airline makes their money.

I remember I paid close to $300 for PIT/MCO ticket 10 years ago. Even 5 years ago, the norm was around $240. I just bought tickets for $177 each (Southwest). The low cost carriers have driven fares down with their low cost operating structure, leaving the majors with higher operating costs in big trouble.

 

[Disneyjosh229]

So will an awful lot of other people.

This statement can be interpreted many different ways. From a leisure travel standpoint, I agree, that if fares climb considerably, many tourist will simply stop flying and drive. From a business standpoint, this will never happen. Companies are used to paying high rates (like DebbieB pointed out). I will be uderly shocked if the government doesnt put there hand into this and stop these Chapter 7 bankruptcy's from happening. Until then, fares will be on the rise and surcharges, im sure, will start appearing.

 

[bicker]

One thing to consider is the cost business travelers pay.

Of course, many business travelers aren't paying such high fares anymore, now that they've worked out ways to appear as leisure travelers when booking their flights.

 

[ducklite]

One thing to consider is the cost business travelers pay. I have to fly PIT-EWR (Newark) next Thursday, out and back the same day, it cost $793! That's where the airline makes their money.

I remember I paid close to $300 for PIT/MCO ticket 10 years ago. Even 5 years ago, the norm was around $240. I just bought tickets for $177 each (Southwest). The low cost carriers have driven fares down with their low cost operating structure, leaving the majors with higher operating costs in big trouble.

I fly MCO to ATL every month, and it's actually less expensive to fly in the night before and fly home after my meeting. I fly US Airways and route throught CLT for extra FF miles And I can usually find some type of trouble to get into in ATL

Anne

 

[goofy4tink]

I still think it could be easily solved if they just 'checked' all the carryon stuff at the gate! You get a purse/laptop/camera case...whatever, as your personnal piece. Then one carryon, roller type thingie, that fits in the gate sizer. If one piece doesn't fit,correctly, in the overhead, then it gets checked.. Oh....and those Disney shopping bags? That either fits under the seat or in the overhead instead of the piece of carryon. The airlines just don't seem to be enforcing the carryon rule. If you want that bit of extra leg room, then don't bring 4 pieces of stuff on board with you.

 

[ducklite]

This statement can be interpreted many different ways. From a leisure travel standpoint, I agree, that if fares climb considerably, many tourist will simply stop flying and drive. From a business standpoint, this will never happen. Companies are used to paying high rates (like DebbieB pointed out). I will be uderly shocked if the government doesnt put there hand into this and stop these Chapter 7 bankruptcy's from happening. Until then, fares will be on the rise and surcharges, im sure, will start appearing.

Actually, many large corporations put a moratorium on flying on their executives after September 11th, and to this day previous levels of business air travel haven't returned. Innoventive concepts like video and web conferencing have replaced face to face meetings, and the cost effectiveness has been seen, so I doubt it ever will.

When September 11th happened, I was working for one of the largest international P&C companies. We had a large corporate travel office staffed with 15 employees. A year later there were two people at desks in a corner tring to get employees to book their Disney trips through them. I have to believe this is the norm at the majority of Fortune 500 companies.

Anne