Luggage Surcharges - Beware!

[tink2dw]

IN 2001 we flew Continental both ways. AT local airport they want everything checked!! Even our carry on,which was stupid,because now they could loss All our clothes!! Flying Back at Orlando Airport they wanted to charge us an extra Fee for the very same luggage!! They weren't going to let me carry my Diabetic meds on the plane. I told them that there was no way they were going to pry them away from me for an 8 hour flight,so to get over it!! They finally relented. Which was a good thing because we had no CC's and were out of money!!

 

[CarolA]

the funny thing is they waive the rules for elite frequent fliers (at least continental will to 70 pounds)

Don't count on this if you are a frequent flyer. Not all airlines do.

As for those of you who are upset at the gate agents may I point out that FAILURE to charge you can result in them losing their jobs.

Also, the skycap tip has some flaws. If your plane has to be rescheduled and you have to go inside they may now discover your luggage is overweight.

Personally my theory is that if I can't lift it easily it is TOO HEAVY and using that theory I have never had my luggage go overweight.

 

[NHLFAN]

Originally posted by onecoolmama
I agree with you all, it is frustrating. What I do usually is pack two extra bags..duffel bags, in our suitcases. One for the dirty lundry and the other for all the souviners we bring back.

We pack an extra bag with food/snacks and on the way back we use it for souvenirs.

"I" pack older clothes socks & underwear and toss them in the trash during our stay to also make room for the souvenirs.

I keep trying to tell my DW and DD to do the same...but they buy new outfits for our trip to Florida!?!

 

[skiwee1]

Airtran allows 3 checked suitcases at 70lbs each. The first suitcase cannot be over 62 inches and the other 2 cannot be over 55 inches. So it really depends on the airline. They even allow their carry ons to be up to 45 inches so anyone can bring an umbrella stroller onboard instead of gate checking it.

 

[RickinNYC]

I say, just charge me the friggin' $20 to my ticket and be done with it and STOP nickle and diming me to death.

First they take away the soggy bagel and rancid cream cheese, now they want me to fly in my underwear while carrying a ziploc to "keep the weight down." Jeez!

 

[frannn]

But I would be very careful- the airlines get wind of your post, and they may decide to charge people by the pound! Then you would have people frantically dieting to get a cheaper fare...oh the horror! By the way, why're you knocking those handy dandy ziplocs? I have both space bags & ziplocs in my luggage....

 

[manhattan]

NADINENURSE

No- they don't have any scales on property- we called housekeeping and were told they don't have any. On our way out of the resort I bought one of those huge Disney bags for $2.50 to carry our picture, but thought it would be handy in case the bags were overweight and needed to take items out.

 

[jann1033]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
You can only have one carry on and one personal item per TSA.
Not sure who you are flying, but, check their limits for checked luggage.
For Disney to ship you need to do it at the time of purchase.
There are, however, mailbox etc in the vicinity.

I thought someone here said you could check 2 at 50 lbs each per person. this was on an international flight ( it could be different) but my husband just took 2 carry ons, one a ( roughly)brief case sized duffle and one 45" rolling suitcase. on the way down he carried on both.( he had to check one on the way back because he bought a plastering trowel and I guess that is not allowed in the cabin ( maybe they thought he would get plastered, bad pun)

 

[chipscinderelly]

Most airlines implemented weight and size restrictions at the same time for all domestic flights. I have a nice larger suitcase that I have used in the past to only have 1 bag and now it's not only too heavy but it's also too tall. You have to love the new "rules" of the game!

 

[kidzmom3]

an article in USA today states:

"Starting Oct. 1, Alaska Airlines said it will charge fliers with bags weighing 51 to 70 pounds an extra $25.

Executives of the Seattle-based airline said they are making the change to reduce workplace injuries, and they hope the added fee will encourage people to pack lighter bags.

"Hopefully there'll be fewer heavier bags," said Jack Walsh, an airline spokesman.

Back injuries caused by lifting heavy bags have been a longtime problem for Alaska Airlines and the airline industry as a whole, Walsh said.

Heavy bags are particularly difficult for customer service agents, who have to move checked luggage from the scale at the check-in line to the conveyor belt that carries it to the baggage handlers, he said."

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by jann1033
I thought someone here said you could check 2 at 50 lbs each per person. this was on an international flight ( it could be different) but my husband just took 2 carry ons, one a ( roughly)brief case sized duffle and one 45" rolling suitcase. on the way down he carried on both.( he had to check one on the way back because he bought a plastering trowel and I guess that is not allowed in the cabin ( maybe they thought he would get plastered, bad pun)

I am not talking about checked baggage, I was talking about carry ons for domestic flights. Each airlines has it's own rules about checked luggage. It is best to check the specfic airlines for their rules.