Non-Refundable Airline Tickets - Good News

[DebbieB]

I just saw this on the USAirways website:

http://www.usairways.com/about/press/nw_03_0913.htm

I think other airlines have also adopted this policy. Actually they are going back to the way they used to, you have up to a year to reschedule a flight rather than immediately.

 

[safetymom]

DebbieB, they were among the last to revert back to the old policy.

Also they are changing their baggage policy. Your suitcase can weigh up to 50 pounds. 51-79 will cost $25 extra. 80 and over will cost even more.

So I guess I will be taking more than 1 suitcase.

 

[mcnuss]

So silly that they just don't come up with a total weight and add your bags together! This is just encouraging everyone to bring 2 bags, which means more work for the TSA behind the "curtain".

Thank goodness US finally saw the light on the use it or lose it policy. It took 'em long enough.

 

[CarolMN]

The purpose of the charge for "overweight" bags was to reduce the number of back (and other) injuries to the airline employees who have to handle the baggage. It had nothing to do with security. Two lighter bags are much easier on the human beings who have to lift and move them than one really heavy bag.

 

[safetymom]

It may be easier on the back to lift lighter bags but now they will have to lift more of them. Also now the TSA will have to look through more bags slowing down the lines at the screening areas. It just seems a little strange when one airline starts something they all do it. Why didn't they have these rules several years ago? I don't buy the bad back theory.

When I am on business trips I can't be bothered to weigh my suitcase so I will just take 2. I have always been under 70 but don't think I was ever under 50.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Thanks for the link Debbie.

 

[alexturner74]

Originally posted by safetymom
It may be easier on the back to lift lighter bags but now they will have to lift more of them. Also now the TSA will have to look through more bags slowing down the lines at the screening areas. It just seems a little strange when one airline starts something they all do it. Why didn't they have these rules several years ago? I don't buy the bad back theory.

You might not buy the bad back theory, but it's true. You may only be carrying one 50 lb bag for your flight, but they have to load/unload an entire aircraft full of them...all day...every day. Personally, I would rather lift two 30 lb bags rather than one 60 lb bag. The TSA really doesn't have anything to do with it, although I'm sure they appreciate the lighter bags as well with as many as they have to move around and screen.

If one airline starts something, they pretty much all have to do it because of competition. That's how the industry is. Of course, it's not always the case, but is most of the time, especially when it comes to pricing. This is one of the main reasons why your not paying higher fares than you already do now.

 

[safetymom]

The TSA may appreciate lighter bags but they will be inspecting more of them. A little common sense would be helpful in this situation.

 

[mcnuss]

I never said the reason for the change was for security, CarolMN, but that the policy has the effect of slowing down the TSA inspections of our luggage.

Let's all be real here? The reason for this has zilch to do with any employee's back! The reason is called REVENUE. The airlines caught on to a previously untapped source, and are now all on the bandwagon. Nobody cared about the employees' backs six months or a year ago, do you really think they care now??? I am not saying that this would not be a good reason, but it's altuistic to believe it, I am sad to say.

Safetymom is 200% correct that they failed to realize (or care) that they've effectively doubled the number of suitcases for inspection, hence making the process even more cumbersome and slow. It means either everyone has to get to the airport earlier or flights will be even later. Just go to an airport like Westchester, NY where they do not have the Xray machines and every bag has to be hand checked and you will see what I mean.

And IMHO, most of the people who will now pack 2 suitcases will do so bc they are worried about having to pay, not necessarily bc their bags were definitely overweight. They'll just pack 2 as a precaution.