Comments on: Copycat: US Airways mimics United, starts charging for second checked bag http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:55:54 -0700 hourly 1 By: 2008 June 12 » Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-22206 2008 June 12 » Upgrade: Travel Better Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:23:49 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-22206 [...] - Copycat: US Airways mimics United, starts charging for second checked bag - Death by a thousand cuts: US Airways [...] [...] – Copycat: US Airways mimics United, starts charging for second checked bag – Death by a thousand cuts: US Airways [...]

]]> By: Florida loses power, Tijuana, Peru, U.S. Airways - Travel - LATimes.com http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-22076 Florida loses power, Tijuana, Peru, U.S. Airways - Travel - LATimes.com Wed, 28 May 2008 00:30:59 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-22076 [...] today, let’s have a more deserved pity party for the U.S. Airways passengers who will now be charged for their second bag just like United passengers. [Upgrade: Travel [...] [...] today, let’s have a more deserved pity party for the U.S. Airways passengers who will now be charged for their second bag just like United passengers. [Upgrade: Travel [...]

]]> By: Downgraded: How much more can Delta alienate its frequent flyers? » Upgrade: Travel Better http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-21230 Downgraded: How much more can Delta alienate its frequent flyers? » Upgrade: Travel Better Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:24:54 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-21230 [...] Airlines must have been watching the recent downgrades at US Airways and United and thought, “Gee, those airlines are doing such a great job pissing [...] [...] Airlines must have been watching the recent downgrades at US Airways and United and thought, “Gee, those airlines are doing such a great job pissing [...]

]]> By: Steve http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20841 Steve Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:34:14 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20841 It's not a weight issue, its a space issue. Airlines frequently load up extra luggage space on planes with cargo, less space taken by pesky passengers more space for paying cargo. simple as that. It’s not a weight issue, its a space issue. Airlines frequently load up extra luggage space on planes with cargo, less space taken by pesky passengers more space for paying cargo. simple as that.

]]> By: Mark http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20365 Mark Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:44:02 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20365 Lame, lame, lame...but then again we just accept $3.00 a gallon too, nothing surprises me anymore. Lame, lame, lame…but then again we just accept $3.00 a gallon too, nothing surprises me anymore.

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20268 Mark Ashley Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:27:16 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20268 In that case, tally up the weight -- passenger plus luggage -- and have people pay by the pound. ;) In that case, tally up the weight — passenger plus luggage — and have people pay by the pound. ;)

]]> By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20267 Mark Ashley Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:19:13 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20267 Duly noted, and fixed. Duly noted, and fixed.

]]> By: SpellCheck http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20266 SpellCheck Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:26:46 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20266 gratuitous :) gratuitous
:)

]]> By: Oliver http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20265 Oliver Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:38:29 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20265 @ Robert: Please re-read the actual press release: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=196799&p=irol-newsArticle_print&ID=1112456&highlight= "The fee only applies to tickets purchased on or after Feb. 26, 2008 for travel on or after May 5, 2008." In other words, it doesn't apply to passengers who had already purchased tickets for this summer. I would bet that your car seat qualifies as an "assistive device" and is thus exempt from the fee. @ Simon: Agreed, it's really amazing what some of these baggage handlers accomplish while loading/unloading an aircraft, all while passengers are staring at them through the aircraft/airport windows. @ Robert:

Please re-read the actual press release:

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=196799&p=irol-newsArticle_print&ID=1112456&highlight=

“The fee only applies to tickets purchased on or after Feb. 26, 2008 for travel on or after May 5, 2008.”

In other words, it doesn’t apply to passengers who had already purchased tickets for this summer.

I would bet that your car seat qualifies as an “assistive device” and is thus exempt from the fee.

@ Simon: Agreed, it’s really amazing what some of these baggage handlers accomplish while loading/unloading an aircraft, all while passengers are staring at them through the aircraft/airport windows.

]]> By: Simon http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20260 Simon Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:21:05 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20260 I willingly pay $25 every time if a little green tag was attached to my bag which told the luggage guys that the name of the game was not to see who could get the most 'air' time with a suitcase as they throw it onto the loading conveyor. I willingly pay $25 every time if a little green tag was attached to my bag which told the luggage guys that the name of the game was not to see who could get the most ‘air’ time with a suitcase as they throw it onto the loading conveyor.

]]> By: Robert http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20254 Robert Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:59:57 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20254 If weight is the issue, then they should charge for heavy checked baggage. Chrging $25 to for two 15-pound bags hardly seems fair. All this will do is encourage even more people to carry-on those stupid huge suitcases that don't even fit in the overhead compartment. I travel with my wife and infant daughter (on our lap), and we routinely check three items; two bags and my daughter's car-seat for when we arrive at our destination. Our three items probably weigh less than 50 pounds total. Now if we fly USAirways, we'll have to pay $25 to check the car seat or we could combine our two bags into one large suitcase. It wouldn't lessen the weight of our luggage or help USAirways at all, but it would make it a pain for us to carry the luggage. USAirways doesn't benefit, and we end up losing out. That sure makes me want to patronize them. As an aside, it seems pretty unfair to me that this applies to passengers who have already purchased tickets for this summer who will now have to pay extra. If someone wanted to cancel their ticket based on this policy change, I can't imagine USAirways could refuse, right? I mean the ticket was bought with certain procing policies in place and now they're different. If weight is the issue, then they should charge for heavy checked baggage. Chrging $25 to for two 15-pound bags hardly seems fair.

All this will do is encourage even more people to carry-on those stupid huge suitcases that don’t even fit in the overhead compartment.

I travel with my wife and infant daughter (on our lap), and we routinely check three items; two bags and my daughter’s car-seat for when we arrive at our destination. Our three items probably weigh less than 50 pounds total. Now if we fly USAirways, we’ll have to pay $25 to check the car seat or we could combine our two bags into one large suitcase. It wouldn’t lessen the weight of our luggage or help USAirways at all, but it would make it a pain for us to carry the luggage. USAirways doesn’t benefit, and we end up losing out. That sure makes me want to patronize them.

As an aside, it seems pretty unfair to me that this applies to passengers who have already purchased tickets for this summer who will now have to pay extra. If someone wanted to cancel their ticket based on this policy change, I can’t imagine USAirways could refuse, right? I mean the ticket was bought with certain procing policies in place and now they’re different.

]]> By: The Global Traveller http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20253 The Global Traveller Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:24:20 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2008/02/26/copycat-us-airways-mimics-united-starts-charging-for-second-checked-bag/#comment-20253 The lack of comparibility is not good. That's something those in certain (non-US) markets have had to grapple with for a while due to treatment of fuel surcharges being inconsistent between airlines and even between routings. Just to make it harder the charges are constantly changing. Lets see, Emirates includes the fuel surcharge in all their figures, Air NZ does within New Zealand and elsewhere in advertising the from figure includes fuel surcharge but the flight selection screen figures exclude it only to be added on the fare screen, ... Yup it's a pain in the .... keeping track of it all. Wouldn't it be ironic if the added complexity drives consumers back to travel agents just when airlines felt they had won significant numbers over to the lower cost online channel? The lack of comparibility is not good. That’s something those in certain (non-US) markets have had to grapple with for a while due to treatment of fuel surcharges being inconsistent between airlines and even between routings. Just to make it harder the charges are constantly changing.

Lets see, Emirates includes the fuel surcharge in all their figures, Air NZ does within New Zealand and elsewhere in advertising the from figure includes fuel surcharge but the flight selection screen figures exclude it only to be added on the fare screen, …

Yup it’s a pain in the …. keeping track of it all.

Wouldn’t it be ironic if the added complexity drives consumers back to travel agents just when airlines felt they had won significant numbers over to the lower cost online channel?

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