Spirit Air now Charging for Carry-ons!

[*pixie*dust*]

What next? Just read the article on MSN.

 

[msmayor]

I think its a novel approach to getting things moving more efficiently when boarding an aircraft.

Having recently traveled by plane, I know first-hand how much longer boarding now takes compare to a few years ago because everyone is trying to take too much stuff into the passenger cabin to avoid checking luggage.

Now that Spirit is making it cheaper to check a bag than carry it on, they should have faster boarding and turn-around times at the gate. Less hassle for boarding passengers forced to stand and wait in crowded aisles while folks look for bin space. Less chance a heavy, overstuffed bag will hit or fall on someone as folks are getting off after landing.

 

[Tinkerbell58]

Spirit announced in April their carry-on fee with flights beginning August 1. I booked my August flights before this fee was announced. Spirit sent me an email which states I am exempt from this new fee for my upcoming August flights.

 

[cglaura]

It is only charged if you need the overhead bin. If it fits under the seat, then it will still be free.

They used to be a good deal, now with all the add ons, plus having to pay for parking in ACY with the new garage (used to have a free parking lot, now $8 per day), not so much.

Next up....Ladies and gentlemen, we are experiencing turbulence. Please return to your seats and deposit $0.25 to reattach your seatbelt. If you would like the air from your personal oxygen unit to be turned on, please deposit $0.50 .

 

[descovy]

You know, I don't think I'd mind if airfare went ala carte

Let me give you an example of my family of 5 (2 adults 3kids) All our tickets cost the same. In the old way, we were each entitled to 2 checked bags, a carryon and a purse/briefcase for the price of each ticket.

That is
......
10 50lb suitcases
5 rolling carryons
5 purses/briefcases

But considering 4, 6, 8 year olds can't manage 300lbs+ of luggage, our family loads on to the airplane ...

2 suitcases,
3 carry ons
1 purse.

and when my husband flies home midway through vacation to get back to work for the price of his ticket (same price) he carries...

one newspaper.


Hmmm... Now why are we subsidizing these perks that we won't be using?

Consider rather... a la carte. That is... pay as you go. Going on a month long safari and need 10 suitcases? Pay for them to fly. Going accross the state for a one day buisiness meeting? Fly cheaper carrying nothing but your laptop.

Stop this nonsense where families like mine put all our luggage into 5 carryons (just to be $$ free) when it would actually be more effective for both my family and the airline if we just put our luggage into 2 suitcases in the belly of the plane.

We've caused this overhead bins mayhem by charging $$ for suitcases in the belly of the plane ...but allowing carryons to be free.

Want to see a stupid scene? 1 Mom trying to get 4 carryons, 4 "purses" and 2, 4, 6 year old children on/off the plane.

 

[DianeV]

What is funny is Spirit justifying this by saying their fares are lower. Uh not for the trip I am looking at right now! Not at all

Oh and I saw them say that people dont really need luggage when they travel..hahaha

 

[bcvprincesses]

Spirit is by far cheaper for us then any airline out of Detroit. We are booked to fly to Disney Aug 30, Dec 8 and Jan 18 all for $27 each way. With taxes and fees it comes to $92 round trip per person. That is the only reason that we are able to take so many trips.

We check one or two bags and only bring things that will fit under the seat. I am so happy that Spirit is starting to charge for carry-ons because it was getting out of control what people were trying to bring on the plane. Should make getting on and off much easier.

 

[leebee]

I would be happy if the airlines would just enforce the rules in existence about the SIZE of carry-on bags. I think it's USAir that has a little box by the check-in lines. If your carry-on doesn't fit in that box, theoretically it's too big to be a carry-on. However, they NEVER enforce that. People bring on duffle bags with hockey sticks inside, fer cryin' out loud! Start by enforcing the rules that exist; THEN see if there's more space in the overhead bins!

 

[wmharley]

What next? Just read the article on MSN.

This was old news, unless there was a media blackout in April.

It is only charged if you need the overhead bin. If it fits under the seat, then it will still be free.

They used to be a good deal, now with all the add ons, plus having to pay for parking in ACY with the new garage (used to have a free parking lot, now $8 per day), not so much.

Next up....Ladies and gentlemen, we are experiencing turbulence. Please return to your seats and deposit $0.25 to reattach your seatbelt. If you would like the air from your personal oxygen unit to be turned on, please deposit $0.50 .

yes. the add-ons kill.

What is funny is Spirit justifying this by saying their fares are lower. Uh not for the trip I am looking at right now! Not at all

Oh and I saw them say that people dont really need luggage when they travel..hahaha

I personally contacted them to complain and call out their cheaper rates. I priced 2 weeklong trips after the announcements were made. The 3 airlines I used (since those were the only three that consistently travelled to my destination) were Jetblue, spirit and Airtran.

Jetblue and airtran were the lowest on one, and on the other airtran, then Jetblue (by $20) then spirit ($70 MORE than airtran). I did some quick other trips and airtran was slightly lower than jetblue. Add the seat and baggage fees to airtran, and that was a wash.

I would be happy if the airlines would just enforce the rules in existence about the SIZE of carry-on bags. I think it's USAir that has a little box by the check-in lines. If your carry-on doesn't fit in that box, theoretically it's too big to be a carry-on. However, they NEVER enforce that. People bring on duffle bags with hockey sticks inside, fer cryin' out loud! Start by enforcing the rules that exist; THEN see if there's more space in the overhead bins!

i agree.

too many times I've been on a plane where the folks bring 3 shopping bags, their carryons, some plant (no lie) and something else, usually the duty free rum.

then they spend too much time trying to fit all that in.

enforce the rules. One bag, one personal item. that's it.