Will AirTran grandfather you in like JetBlue for extra baggage????!!!!!!

[kritter]

I know that JetBlue is granfathering you in if you purchased your tickets before the new luggage policy goes into effect. Has anyone heard if AirTran is going to do the same. I emailed them and have not heard back yet!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cbrfan]

In a word - no. All passengers will assessed the extra bag fees.

 

[kritter]

Are you sure?? I'd be surprised if they did not since JB is doing that!!!!!!!!

 

[Brian Noble]

Some have grandfathered. Others have not. Different airlines have made different decisions.

 

[kritter]

Just,, curious if anyone has heard anything from AirTran in regards to this I emailed them but have yet to hear from them!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cbrfan]

I e-mailed them and received this reponse:

Dear Mrs. XXXXX,
Thank you for contacting AirTran Airways.



I am sorry to learn of your disappointment with AirTran Airways, however, we thank you for allowing us the opportunity to address your concerns.



In an effort to offset rising fuel costs, AirTran Airways will implement a $10.00 one way (or $20.00 round trip) fee per passenger for the second checked bag effective May 15, 2008. Customers will not be charged for the one allowed carry on bag or the first piece of checked luggage, within restrictions.



At this time, we do not have an exact timeline that the additional fees will be assessed. Unfortunately, we are also not able to exempt those who have previously purchased reservations before this date.



Nevertheless, your comments have been forwarded to the appropriate department head for review.

We thank you for including AirTran Airways in your travel plans and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future.



Sincerely,

Heather Moss
Customer Relations Department
AirTran Airways

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

United, Northwest, US Airways, Continental, and JetBlue had the decency and good sense to apply the fee only to tickets purchased after the fee was announced.

But Delta and AirTran are willing to use unethical practices to increase revenue.

I have no issue with any airline charging for a second bag as part of its pricing structure.

My issue is with applying the fee to passengers who purchased tickets under the old rules. That's unethical.

Some airlines have not added a fee for a second bag, including American, Southwest, and Alaska. Of course, that could change.

 

[Brian Noble]

With American, I belive it already has:
http://www.smartmoney.com/bn/on/index.cfm?story=ON-20080428-000402-1003&nav=pf_hp

 

[CarolA]

Not surprised about AA. I think they waited until the "furor" over thier plane inspection issues was past.... otherwise they would already have done it. They generally do "follow the leader" on price increases.

 

[cbrfan]

The part of AirTran's response that I found interesting was:

"At this time, we do not have an exact timeline that the additional fees will be assessed."

So what is that supposed to mean? It should be interesting to see what happens May 15.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

With American, I belive it already has:
http://www.smartmoney.com/bn/on/index.cfm?story=ON-20080428-000402-1003&nav=pf_hp

Yep. That happened this morning.

American joins the list of ethical companies that are not applying the fee to passengers who bought tickets under the previous rules.

Only customers who buy tickets after May 12, 2008, and check a second bag will pay $25 each way. There are numerous exceptions. See http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/utility/baggageExceptions.jsp

Based on how AirTran and Delta implemented their fee for a second checked bag, AirTran and Delta are the unethical companies. I wonder what retroactive cost increase or rule change they'll think of next? I will do my best to avoid AirTran and Delta in the future -- even though I very seldom check a second bag. I just don't like their disregard of ethics.

 

[cbrfan]

If I were to choose to check a second bag (and it IS a choice), I'd much rather pay the unethical $10 than the very ethical $25. When an airline starts charging a fee for something that's a necessity (like a seatbelt), I'll start giving greater weight to the fees being charged by airlines. I'd be willing to bet that most passengers will, with all things being equal, book the flight that ends up costing less vs. the airline with "better business ethics". We'd all like to use only recycled products, but if how many of us actually do it if we have to pay more just for that?

 

[noahdove]

We will be traveling on AirTran and I will have to redo my luggage thougths. And as for the 2 children I will be taking with me, they will be limited to their one piece of luggage and their carry-on. Wonder how we will be notified. I say this is very interesting..

 

[mickey2000]

With thier stock at $3 a share and trying to sell more stock ( $136M)
I would think the answer is NO.... They, along with other airlines need quick cash with soaring fuel prices.

Today!

Oil prices set trading record of just below $120

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I'd be willing to bet that most passengers will, with all things being equal, book the flight that ends up costing less vs. the airline with "better business ethics".

Absolutely. A consumer who is booking a flight should make an informed decision based on the total cost (and other factors such as schedule and quality of service). Delta and AirTran passengers thought they were making an informed decision. But Delta and AirTran tricked them.

 

[cbrfan]

Absolutely. A consumer who is booking a flight should make an informed decision based on the total cost (and other factors such as schedule and quality of service). Delta and AirTran passengers thought they were making an informed decision. But Delta and AirTran tricked them.

Whenever a passenger purchases an airline ticket they agree to be bound by the CoC in effect on the day of the flight. Delta and AirTran chose not to grandfather the second bag fee. Poor customer relations? IMHO, yes. Trick, no. It's no different than changing schedules or equipment. They're entitled to do so, whether we like it or not. I'm less concerned with second bag fees than with airlines flying planes without the proper inspections and maintenance.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Whenever a passenger purchases an airline ticket they agree to be bound by the CoC in effect on the day of the flight.

That makes the Conditions of Carriage 100% worthless and meaningless to passengers as a factor in picking an airline and understanding their rights and responsibilities ahead of time -- at least on Delta and AirTran.

The good news is that United, Northwest, US Airways, Continental, JetBlue, and American did the right thing in regards to how they implemented the second bag fee.

Poor customer relations? IMHO, yes. Trick, no. It's no different than changing schedules or equipment. They're entitled to do so, whether we like it or not.

Sure, you can object to my choice of the word "trick" when I wrote, "Delta and AirTran passengers thought they were making an informed decision. But Delta and AirTran tricked them."

But I would disagree with your comment, "It's no different than changing schedules or equipment."

The CoC spells out the checked luggage rules. The CoC also spells out that the airline can change schedules and equipment.

The consumer should realistically expect rules in effect at the time of ticketing to be honored (even if there are weasel words somewhere in the CoC that allow the airline to trick the consumer). But the consumer should know that flights and equipment can (and often do) change, especially for tickets purchased far in advance.

 

[cbrfan]

Horace, I agree with you that not grandfathering would not be my choice of action if I were running an airline. I wrote to AirTran and told them of my displeasure at this new policy, as should anyone who disagrees with it. So far, they haven't charged anybody anything. What happens on May 15 remains to be seen. Maybe they'll charge the fee, maybe they won't. It may be implemented like their change fees. They say they don't issue a credit for a lower fare without a $75 change fee, but the reality is that they DO issue a credit without the change fee. I have yet to hear anyone get a credit and complain that it was "unethical" to have NOT been charged a change fee. You're free to fly or not fly any airline. I'm not changing my carrier of choice over $10, regardless of how they implement it. I'm not big on cutting off my nose to spite my face. I can pay a lot of extra bag charges for the amount of money I've been "unethically" credited.