What happens when bags fly free

[simzac]

After reading all the threads from people flying on airlines that charge for bags and how bad the carryon situation was, I was looking forward to our trip on SW to see what that airline was like. Left last Sunday, IND to MCO, flight sold out, and there was plenty of room in the overhead bins when we left. Did not see one single person even try to bring on more than 2 bags. Same situation on the flight home yesterday. Full flight, plenty of room in the overhead bins. Only conclusion I can draw is that by charging for bags on other airlines, they have created a nightmare inside the cabin. Just another reason we will continue to fly SW airlines. Also love the new boarding procedure using numbers in addition to the letters. No reason to sit on the floor for an hour like we used to. Keep up the good work SW.

 

[goofy4tink]

I have to agree. That two free checked bags policy is what allows SW to have such quick turnaround times. The passengers are usually much happier when boarding since they aren't fighting for overhead space.
I know that whenever I fly an airline that charges for checked bags, it's crazy when boarding. You have to dodge all those people, standing in the aisles, trying to cram their oversized carryon bag into the overhead bins. Drives me nuts.
It's time to just realize that checked baggage fees are a part of life and figure in the cost of bags into your fares. But, people don't want to do that. They continue to complain about having to pay higher fares, and say that if they have to pay an addtl $25 per bag, multiplied by 4 people in their group, then they won't be able to afford to travel. It's a cost of doing business people.

 

[safetymom]

I disagree.

I remember when bags were free on the airlines and still many people brought on lots more than they were allowed,they brought oversized items onboard.

Charging for bags made a bad situation worse. I think SW is a whole different "animal" when it comes to flying. It attracts a different kind of flyer than the legacy airlines.

 

[bookgirl2632]

I have flown Southwest about a dozen times over the last 10 years and have never had any problem with them. As long as they are going where I'm going, I will choose them every time. They are always cheapest, especially now with "bags fly free." And I've always known them to be fast and efficient. Why would I fly anyone else?

 

[Donaldswife]

After reading all the threads from people flying on airlines that charge for bags and how bad the carryon situation was, I was looking forward to our trip on SW to see what that airline was like. Left last Sunday, IND to MCO, flight sold out, and there was plenty of room in the overhead bins when we left. Did not see one single person even try to bring on more than 2 bags. Same situation on the flight home yesterday. Full flight, plenty of room in the overhead bins. Only conclusion I can draw is that by charging for bags on other airlines, they have created a nightmare inside the cabin. Just another reason we will continue to fly SW airlines. Also love the new boarding procedure using numbers in addition to the letters. No reason to sit on the floor for an hour like we used to. Keep up the good work SW.

Hey fellow Greenwood-er! We always fly SW and love them as well. By far the easiest and most customer friendly airline right now. I love the new number system as well, makes boarding a breeze. Hope you had a great trip.

 

[Brian Noble]

Maybe it's just because I'm often flying business routes (not much call to fly from DTW to DCA in early March for the vacation set), but I honestly don't find it to be that much different. There was rarely space before DL/NW started charging, and there is rarely space now. The one thing that *is* different is that GAs now infrequently enforce the size limits, whereas they *never* used to.

Indeed, on leisure-dominated routes overhead space is easier to come by than on my "working" flights, because few families can pack for a week's vacation in one 22" bag per person. But, a road warrior can go three weeks in 22", no worries.

I'd love to fly SW more often for leisure travel, but they are still rarely competitive from DTW. They got rid of all their non-stops to MCO, and they are rarely less expensive than DL, even with the bag charge. Now that DL/AMEX cardholders get one free checked bag per person, it will be even harder for SW to compete there.

 

[bumbershoot]

I personally have never experienced a flight with such full overhead bins (I've experienced a flight where they SAID the bins were full as we were boarding, but when I got onboard they were very very much NOT full).

However, I also imagine that the very seating arrangement with SW keeps people behaving properly with their bags. I mean, if there's a spot open up front for a bag in the bin, there's likely a SEAT available there too, so the person will just SIT there, and won't take a bin spot up front while on their way to their seat all the way in the back.

 

[danalee]

We never had a probelm with overhead, we did however have one guy take my sons backpack out to put in his briefcase, but before we could say anything a SW attendant, seen it, put my sons backpak back and took the briefcase to an overhead compartment a couple down~

we were hoping to fly SW this coming September, and with all the bag fee's on other airlines we knew for sure it would be SW....not the case...a flight that a year ago we paid $59 one way and $79 the other is now $280 one way or $150 with a four to six hour lay-over. thats the trip down~ the trip back much of the same.
i would rather pay for a bag, pick my seat and not sit in an airport for hours~ JMO

 

[DebbieB]

We never had a probelm with overhead, we did however have one guy take my sons backpack out to put in his briefcase, but before we could say anything a SW attendant, seen it, put my sons backpak back and took the briefcase to an overhead compartment a couple down~

we were hoping to fly SW this coming September, and with all the bag fee's on other airlines we knew for sure it would be SW....not the case...a flight that a year ago we paid $59 one way and $79 the other is now $280 one way or $150 with a four to six hour lay-over. thats the trip down~ the trip back much of the same.
i would rather pay for a bag, pick my seat and not sit in an airport for hours~ JMO

That's a good example of looking at the total picture. It's easy to say I'll always fly SW because bags fly "free". You have to compare the choices, factor in the bag fees before coming to a final decision.

 

[dburg30]

I have to agree. That two free checked bags policy is what allows SW to have such quick turnaround times. The passengers are usually much happier when boarding since they aren't fighting for overhead space.
I know that whenever I fly an airline that charges for checked bags, it's crazy when boarding. You have to dodge all those people, standing in the aisles, trying to cram their oversized carryon bag into the overhead bins. Drives me nuts.
It's time to just realize that checked baggage fees are a part of life and figure in the cost of bags into your fares. But, people don't want to do that. They continue to complain about having to pay higher fares, and say that if they have to pay an addtl $25 per bag, multiplied by 4 people in their group, then they won't be able to afford to travel. It's a cost of doing business people.

But according to people I thought SW was a cattle call when boarding? Hmmm.. sounds like other airlines are actually worse....

 

[TDC Nala]

I have had far worse experiences boarding United and US Airways than I have with Southwest.

No matter which airline I fly I do not check luggage for a trip of less than a week.