Written By Vegetarian TravelingMom Tuesday, April 20, 2010 16:17
If you’ve ever taken the ferry to Fire Island, you know that there’s no such thing as a free ride, particularly if that ride comes packaged in a Whole Foods bag. Shopping carts and luggage carriers cost $4, which is 44% of the price to ride the ferry. So why are the airlines vilified for charging fees for checked luggage or carry-on bags?
Spirit Airlines, a discount carrier, lowered fares while adding a charge for a carry-on bag. You can bring “a FREE personal item onboard, such as a purse, briefcase, backpack or laptop computer. Other exceptions are: assistive devices, medicine, umbrella, outer garments (coats, hats, wraps), camera, car seat/stroller, infant diaper bag, reading material for the flight, or food for immediate consumption.” How much more do people really need for a couple of hours? A family traveling with a baby can bring on everything they need with no extra charge.
My husband hates carrying on a lot of stuff, and what really irks him is when he has a small laptop bag that he can’t even put above the seat he paid for, because someone who boarded out of turn monopolized all the overhead space. His attitude is, he’s consolidated, why can’t the next guy?
It is true that abusers of carry-on luggage restrictions face few consequences. If they can sneak by the gate agent with an oversized bag they can take up more than their fair share of space.
Some senators introduced a bill to curb this airline fee but I really don’t see what the big deal is. You are flying on Spirit on a discount ticket. Even my local senator, Charles Schumer, who lives in my neighborhood, said he would work to get the government to prohibit these fees.
It should be an interesting summer travel season.
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Comments
I am a flight attendant who has been injured by more than one passenger's bag. I like to joke that the builders will bring the bricks to you! What the heck is in that bag and do you really need it?
The even worse thing is that I work for Comair, where they offer a valet service for your bag! You don't even have to bother with it. Simply leave it in the jetbridge/on the ramp, where it will be placed in the cargo department, and pick it back up when we land. How much better could it get? The ramp agents do not have the time to go through your jewels and fine furs lady! Take out the computer of course. Even I don't trust that. Sorry to the really good ramp agents!
As far as the amount and the reasoning behind Spirit's fees, I cannot say that I agree. I think that they could be working on the safety factor (an actually study was performed in Europe as to the amount of injuries suffered from carry on luggage) and said baggage does cause delays in boarding, however, I also know that the government does not charge taxes on onboard fees at this time and it's likely that the decision is financially based as well. There's an airline overseas that is said to be charging to use the lavoratory as well! We joke around saying "Oh, you want a seatbelt, $5"!
Perhaps since passengers that actually require 2 seats but are allowed to take up some of the other passengers seat that they paid for without any penalty should be charged for a seatbelt extender! Now, there's a though.
Anyway, thanks for getting it.
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