The Government is going to tax airlines that charge fees for carry-ons...SPIRIT!!!

[disneyworldaddict]

Many (most?) airlines aren't profitable, using any model.

Interesting two of the profitable airlines are using almost the exact opposite approach.

Spirit is an ultra-low cost airline. They believe their passengers have no loyalty, other then price. I'm not suggesting SW's model would work for them.

Jetblue's model is closer to SW then Spirit. No fee for the first checked bag. Free Directv.

Spirit's current size limit for bin bags permit bags that only fit lenghtwise. The result is delays as passengers hunt for available bin space. Delays. Safety issues from overloaded bins. Passengers "cheating" Spirit by avoiding paying checked luggage feees.

Spirt found the solution to the problem.

Interesting, according to Spirit's flight times, every flight I've been on had arrived early. And again, if the passengers only carried on what was permitted, everything would fit. The airline hads the right to enforce this at the entrance. I've been flying since the 70s and have always brought a carry-on in addition to my checked bag. Its never been an issue, until the airlines started charging for checked bags.

And I've been loyal to Spirit, but since the "carry-on crisis" I've signed up with Air Tran.

 

[Lewisc]

And again, if the passengers only carried on what was permitted, everything would fit. ....
Its never been an issue, until the airlines started charging for checked bags

and again this isn't true. Spirit (currently) permits a 24" bag. That bag will only fit in the bin lenghtwise. There is not bin space if every passenger on a full flight had a bag of that size. edited to add Spirit's CoC gives them the right to charge passenger who need to gate check a bag after the bins are full. That's not really fair.

I suspect you're right. Now that airlines are charging for checked bags more passengers are bring more (and bigger) carryon bags.

 

[uva185]

Ha! I just heard on the news that the government is going to charge a tax to airlines who charge an additional fee for carry-ons, are ya' listening Spirit??

You might want to take a lesson in Economics. If you think Spirit is going to eat the cost of the taxes you are wrong!! The cost of the taxes will be passed right along to the consumers.

 

[kaytieeldr]

You might want to take a lesson in Economics. If you think Spirit is going to eat the cost of the taxes you are wrong!! The cost of the taxes will be passed right along to the consumers.

No matter how many times it's repeated, most passengers either don't realize or don't believe that WE - the passengers - pay that excise tax. Currently we pay it as part of our respective airfares. The airlines don't pay it, they merely collect it from us and pass it on to the government.
Therefore, any legislation enacted to collect excise tax from 'the airlines' will instead be assessing us, the passengers. Okay, fine - instead of getting to keep $45 from the non-$9 Club passenger who makes it all the way to the gate with what turns out to be a carry-on too large to fit under the seat, Spirit will get to keep only $41.86.

Given that their actual goal IS to reduce the number and size of carry-on bags, this will still acheive their goal, albeit at a slightly lower revenue. On the other hand, it genuinely seems to me that their ultimate goal is to eliminate overhead luggage completely. Checked luggage is cheaper - and at least for now, the gummint isn't going after excise taxes on those fees .

Never say never, by the way. In one of its incarnations, Braniff had planes with no overhead compartments - just the shelves like you see on buses. NO overhead carry-on luggage was allowed... and we weren't told until we tried to board the plane! We were also told that our gate-checked luggage would be waiting for us in Boston

 

[Lewisc]

Okay, fine - instead of getting to keep $45 from the non-$9 Club passenger who makes it all the way to the gate with what turns out to be a carry-on too large to fit under the seat, Spirit will get to keep only $41.86.

I guess Spirt could lower the charge from $45 to $41.86. More likely they'd keep the fee at $45 and just add on the $3.34 tax. I know hotels and car rental agencies pass along tax increases, even if the customer already has a reservation.

edited to add

Schumer reported American, Delta, JetBlue, United and US Airways assured him they won't be charging for carryon bags. Continental hasn't replied.

There are reports some senators are sponsoring a law which would ban those fees. It looks like the actual bill may just subject those fees to an excise tax.