Will you no longer fly US/UA/DL/NW?

[n2mm]

The only difference it means for me is I will have to take my smaller piece of luggage as a carry-on instead of checking it. I will be packing the same.

This is us too. Instead of checking 3 bags for the 2 of us for our twice a year 2 week trip, we will now check 2 bags and carry on 2 smaller bags. While I won't boycott, I also won't choose to fly these carriers as I don't feel any loyality to them anymore. I still have a choice of non-stop on Airtran, Jetblue and SW out of Dulles. Until the change is universal, I'll stick to them. Eventually I'll have to use my 100,000+ miles on United, so will fly them when I use an award ticket. Until this change I had been flying exclusviely on United/TED and had flown them 20+ times over the last 2 years.

 

[plutospup]

The only difference it means for me is I will have to take my smaller piece of luggage as a carry-on instead of checking it. I will be packing the same.

This is exactly what I feel will happen on many flights. Less checked luggage and, more (heavier) carry ons fighting for space in the passenger cabin. On our family vacations we will now each have a carryon.

 

[wdwgypsy]

I won't boycott them either but it will play into my decision if I need to look at extra baggage.

My biggest complaint isn't the fee it's the way some carriers have implemented them.

I can pack for week in a carry on unless its a buisness situation. Then a garment bag maybe needed for the suits. So the one underneath rule isn't that big of a deal.

My biggest complaint about carry on restrictions isn't the restriction. It's the unequal application of them.

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I've been watching all the hysteria RE: checked bag fees with some confusion, as we haven't checked bags in years! Each of us has a small carry-on with our clothing for the trip, and then I bring a small backpack as my "personal" item that holds our snacks, books, and travel documents. I mail toiletries down in advance (again in a small box - all travel-sized containers so we can toss them before returning). I make the DKids plan out their outfits for each day and add one or two extra items in case of food accidents and such; everything fits fine. Nah, I wouldn't boycott over the checked bag fees - but we are driving this summer because we can't afford the fares!

 

[DebbieB]

What I want to know is what are they going to do when overhead space runs out with everyone carrying on more. When I fly to the west coast, it's inevitable that the last people on have to gate check. I really hope they are strict about carryon size. I think if someone tries to carryon an oversize bag, they should have to gate check and pay the fee.

 

[Camster0307]

What I want to know is what are they going to do when overhead space runs out with everyone carrying on more. When I fly to the west coast, it's inevitable that the last people on have to gate check. I really hope they are strict about carryon size. I think if someone tries to carryon an oversize bag, they should have to gate check and pay the fee.

I'm wondering about this too. These airlines have got to know that people are going to try to avoid these extra charges by overstuffing their carry-ons. Can only imagine the arguments we're going to see between passengers and gate agents or flight attendants.

To answer the OP's original question - I'll still continue to fly with these airlines regardless of the new charges. I usually just check one bag for each of us anyway - can't be bothered with dealing with more than one bag per person. I also will ship a small box ahead of time to the resort that contains some essentials: suntan lotion, toiletries, snacks, etc. Right now, Disney doesn't charge to accept boxes shipped to their resorts, but it was mentioned on another thread that they might start. If that's the case, I'll deal with it. It's a big convenience for me and well worth paying for it.

 

[n2mm]

What I want to know is what are they going to do when overhead space runs out with everyone carrying on more. When I fly to the west coast, it's inevitable that the last people on have to gate check. I really hope they are strict about carryon size. I think if someone tries to carryon an oversize bag, they should have to gate check and pay the fee.

I agree, I would love to see this enforced. We never bring carryon bags. I usually have a small backpack purse and hubby usually has a small jansport bag for his book and snacks. Both of our items have always gone under the seat in front of us. But now with this new rule we will be bringing on a small rolling bag (or 2) within in the guidelines. In the past we thought we were doing the right thing by checking our 3 bags, but will now be forced to bring a bag for the overhead for our 2 week trips. While we never used the overhead in the past, we have certainly watched how overhead bin abuse has occurred on our many United/Ted flights. We have to say that most of it is done by the business flyers. Most of them have 2 bags that then put in the overhead. I certainly hope that it is enforced, because I now want my overhead space that I've left for others to use for many years.

Just wanted to add: I work for the USG and last week we received a message regarding the changes in travel. The USG will not pay the fees that these carriers are now imposing, unless the travelers justifies that their trip is longer than normal and needs extra luggage.

 

[zulaya]

Also, how about enforcing that you can't stow your carryon in the front of the plane when your seat is in the back of the plane? Just because you don't want to have to haul your bag down the aisle doesn't mean you should take the space of the passenger that bin in closer to.

 

[Alexander]

Boycott?
That leaves me with Amtrak and I don't like that option! I still don't undertand the reason people travel with so much stuff! We are one bag people and have future flights already booked with USAir, JetBlue, and AirTran. If you want to bring along those golf clubs, then $25 is still a lot less than you're going to pay for green fees! And it's also still cheaper to pay that $25 for a carseat than renting one. Get over it already!

 

[bavaria]

re the carryon luggage: I am awaiting the US travellers to learn to travel as we do in the rest of the world. Aircraft are turned more quickly in Europe, and the carry on luggage allowance is much less than in America (as is checked luggage). United FAs on many of my flights are already being much more strict with passengers.

In many countries carry on luggage is even weighed and tagged as cabin approved. Gate agents and FAs are very strict and will reject anything too large or over the one piece limit.

I realize that this is a big change for the American public, but it simply puts them in a similar situation to business and leisure travellers outside the US. It may take some time to adjust, but really I don't understand all the upset. If the rest of us can travel like this and still be respectable for business or vacation then I am certain that the American public can adjust as well.

As someone said earlier on another thread, any change brings about negative responses, but in the long run most will realize that they can indeed adjust.

 

[bavaria]

and now I am going to say something straightforward which will most likely invite another round of flames on me or a flurry of PMs, but here you have it... ready?










Isn't the carry on situation in America a result of people deciding that the rules no longer apply to them, combined with a lack of enforcement? The rules for carry on are clearly stated - on email confirmations, websites, in luggage stores, at the airport check in counter, at security, and at the gate. Yet for whatever reason, they are routinely ignored by a large number of passengers in the US.

Combine that with a lack of enforcement, and we have the situation we face today. I can assure you that in other parts of the world, the rules are the rules, and one would not easily make it to the aircraft carrying oversize or too many pieces of carryon luggage. GA, FAs, ticket agents, security have no issue at all telling passengers that their carry on does not comply. There is no concern about a perception about poor customer service - the rules are the rules.

Somehow the rules have only become a 'suggested guideline' in the US, and travellers and the airlines are both to blame for this.

 

[Camster0307]

Isn't the carry on situation in America a result of people deciding that the rules no longer apply to them, combined with a lack of enforcement? The rules for carry on are clearly stated - on email confirmations, websites, in luggage stores, at the airport check in counter, at security, and at the gate. Yet for whatever reason, they are routinely ignored by a large number of passengers in the US.

Combine that with a lack of enforcement, and we have the situation we face today. I can assure you that in other parts of the world, the rules are the rules, and one would not easily make it to the aircraft carrying oversize or too many pieces of carryon luggage. GA, FAs, ticket agents, security have no issue at all telling passengers that their carry on does not comply. There is no concern about a perception about poor customer service - the rules are the rules.

Somehow the rules have only become a 'suggested guideline' in the US, and travellers and the airlines are both to blame for this.

There are plenty of inconsiderate travellers out there.

 

[zulaya]

and now I am going to say something straightforward which will most likely invite another round of flames on me or a flurry of PMs, but here you have it... ready?










Isn't the carry on situation in America a result of people deciding that the rules no longer apply to them, combined with a lack of enforcement? The rules for carry on are clearly stated - on email confirmations, websites, in luggage stores, at the airport check in counter, at security, and at the gate. Yet for whatever reason, they are routinely ignored by a large number of passengers in the US.

Combine that with a lack of enforcement, and we have the situation we face today. I can assure you that in other parts of the world, the rules are the rules, and one would not easily make it to the aircraft carrying oversize or too many pieces of carryon luggage. GA, FAs, ticket agents, security have no issue at all telling passengers that their carry on does not comply. There is no concern about a perception about poor customer service - the rules are the rules.

Somehow the rules have only become a 'suggested guideline' in the US, and travellers and the airlines are both to blame for this.

Ding ding ding ding ding! We have a winner!

 

[DebbieB]

Isn't the carry on situation in America a result of people deciding that the rules no longer apply to them, combined with a lack of enforcement? The rules for carry on are clearly stated - on email confirmations, websites, in luggage stores, at the airport check in counter, at security, and at the gate. Yet for whatever reason, they are routinely ignored by a large number of passengers in the US.

I totally agree. They are going to have to do something or have chaos on the planes. People get mad now when they are forced to gate check when there's no more room. It's going to be twice as bad once these new rules go into affect and there's more carry-ons. It's also going to hold up departures, affecting ontime statistics.

 

[cbrfan]

I have to totally agree with bavaria. Everything you carry on should fit under the seat in front of you. You know that going in. I can understand making exceptions for delicate medical supplies and equipment. But to create a Chinese fire drill situation because someone doesn't want to wait to collect their luggage at the carousel or is terrified the airline will lose their valuable underpants is pretty self-centered. If you have room to put your carryon in the overhead compartment without a major remodelling job, great. But if there isn't room for your bag and it's too big to stuff under the seat in front of you and needs to be checked, it's no one's fault but your own. And I have my flame-retardant suit on, too.

 

[MAGGIED]

it won't stop us from flying.... the alternative would be a 24 hour drive.... it is worth it to me to pay a little extra and get there in 3 hours

 

[snowbunny]

So, my question to you - do you plan to 'boycott' United, US Airways, Delta and/or Northwest due to the 2nd bag fee?

Nope, I can fly with one checked bag and prefer to do so.

 

[dopeyfanatic]

I think this rule might end up biting them in the butt. I can see why they're doing it, but at the same time people are going to bring on more carry ons. Those bringing on large ones aren't necessarily going to change, but people who didn't use to bring one at all will now bring one on. I also agree that the carry on should have to go near your seat. I can't stand it when there's no room in my bin and my bag has to be several rows away from me. It's hard to keep an eye on it when it's not right there. My kids are all taking little Disney duffel bags that will fit under the seat. It will have a beach towel, swimsuit and some games/books. My dh and I will also have small ones. I do make it a point to measure my carryon to make sure it fits, but I'm surprised at what is allowed...

Continental: carryon- 51 linear inches (in the US and some UK areas) and 40 pounds, and a checked bag is 62 linear inches and 50 pounds. That's not much difference in a carry on and a checked bag!

I wouldn't boycott any airline because of the fee, it's just something I'd have to account for when comparing prices. I don't see how my family would ever need more than one suitcase per person anyway!

 

[dgaston]

Excellent thread topic. I think sometimes Americans still are operating under the idea that we're winning the west, and that laws or rules are just suggestions. DH and I are working at getting down to one carryon bag each for travel. We are going on a cruise in two weeks, and will probably have more luggage for that due to the formal nights. Our return flight from San Diego is with United and I was planning on paying the extra fee until I discovered we beat the May 5th deadline.

We generally fly SWA and they are still allowing 2 bags, down from *gasp* 3!

 

[JohnZ46]

I'm wondering if this will affect being able to check-in for your flight at the resort.

If you have a second bag, will the resort airline check-in accept payment or will they tell you to check in at the airport?