United charging for curbside?

[dreamalittledream]

We recently flew United and never having flown them before we were surprised that they charged us $2.00 per bag to check it curbside. The skycap made it clear it was not a tip, but a charge. When did this start? do other airlines practice curbside robbery like that?

 

[kitty44]

I had to pay this charge last October when I flew out of Chicago. At the time, the sky cap told me that it was a new policy. The line inside was so long that it was worth it. I don't know of any other airline that does this.

 

[skyfire1982]

American does as well. We walked into the airport, looked at the line, and walked straight out back to the curbside checkin. It was noted on the sign that there was a charge per bag, but the skycap never said a word about it, just checked us in and checked the bag in. At the end, he looked at us rather expectedly and I forked over the charge and a small tip without a word, and he thanked us. I considered it well worth it since I didn't have to stand in line indoors.

 

[safetymom]

It isn't at all airports. The skycaps don't get that money so they are the ones that are feeling the pain over the charge. The airline keeps it but a lot of folks think that pays the skycap and it doesn't.

 

[dreamalittledream]

We usually fly USAir so this was new to us. I never mind tipping for the service but felt really put out that they charged us. I also felt bad for the Skycap and tipped him as usual. While we were there, several people went inside after learning about the fee.

 

[justplaingoofy]

we don't do curbside.... My husband used to work for US Air and at the time when bags were lost they were usually checked in curbside.

 

[delilah]

Last time we travelled out of Indianapolis, NWA was also charging $2/bag to check in curbside. I am really glad that we decided to park the car and take the shuttle before checking in. In the past, we had done curbside, then taken the car to park. Indianapolis airport is small enough that it isn't such a big deal to take the bags inside to check in.

 

[powellrj]

I have had to pay at both Indy and St Louis this year. It wasn't just one airline, it was all the ones I have used this year.