i just heard on a local (Atlanta) news station that Delta is raising the checked bag fee to $25 for the first bag, $30 for the second.

AMAZING!!!

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If you want to fix our country, work with us in the states. statesproject.org

"Success isn't about how much money you make. It is about the difference you make in people's lives."--Michelle Obama

SouthWest-first 2 bags free!!!

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Ken Sp.
SouthWest-first 2 bags free!!!

oh, how i wish SW flew out of Atlanta instead of our Atlanta West Airtport - Birmingham, AL.

though other carriers will probably follow suit, i'll look at other airlines first before boarding a Delta flight.

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If you want to fix our country, work with us in the states. statesproject.org

"Success isn't about how much money you make. It is about the difference you make in people's lives."--Michelle Obama

Does that come with a tracking number and a guarantee that it will arrive at the same destination you do (and, as importantly, at the same time)?

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Don't you know that the checked bag fee is to pay for exorbitantly high fuel costs? At least that was the argument the airlines used in 2007.

trying to get themselves closer to insolvency so they can claim some of that bailout $$$
discourage enough customers, badda bing,
"we gotta close unless someone bails us out of our incompetence."

boo
hoo


who tf?

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the_poochies
Don't you know that the checked bag fee is to pay for exorbitantly high fuel costs? At least that was the argument the airlines used in 2007.

And fuel costs have come down, but the fees keep going up. And it's all bogus costs anyway... book a Delta flight in Germany and it's MUCH less expensive than if you book the same flight in the US. Plus Europe has some much less expensive airlines. I remember Lux Air had round trip flights from NY and FL for under $200 when the US carriers were charging closer to $2000.

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If it keeps going up, soon it will make more sense to fly without luggage and go to Target and hit the clearance rack.

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I gotta think the "charge for bags" thing is gonna lead to some nasty claims against the airlines... if they fly your bags for free, as an accommodation, I can see where the "we're not responsible for loss or damage..." disclaimers might hold up... but; charge for bags, the airline's liability for loss or damage has to increase dramatically, or at least it sure would if I were on the jury...

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Sometimes it is what it is...
and then there's times when it's really better.



==

I thought this might be about New Jersey.

[www.cmmnj.org]

[www.nytimes.com]

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>>I remember Lux Air had round trip flights from NY and FL for under $200 when the US carriers were charging closer to $2000.

'cause they know the customers are jewish

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I just qualified for Delta Silver Medallion for the second year in a row. No checked bag fee. I don't fly much, but it does come in handy, especially for an upcoming ski trip next month.

I'm now waiting for Will Collier to chime in about how he gave Delta the heave-ho for his travels due to their policies ;)

Clark Howard has been ranting about this. It's now possible to pay more in fees than the cost of the ticket. His solution is to only take a carry on bag, but that's not feasible for many people.

It's funny how Southwest manages to make money without crazy fees.

Having fees for checked baggage only causes massive problems when EVERYONE wants to bring on a rollaboard - which causes delays in boarding, and free checking of the bags that won't fit.

Having status on one or more airlines allows you to travel with no fees.

Crude hit a 15 month high this week.
That always affects aviation fuel prices.

If they raise the fares rather than ancillary fees the budget travellers stop travelling ?

And if you didn't have any bags to check they would pull you aside as a security risk and want to know what your plans are and why you don't have any luggage!

I really, really, really detest companies that can't/won't just give you an all inclusive price for their product/service. If they want $25 for a checked bag then bump the ticket price and let's go fly. Doing it this way only pisses off your customers and makes Southwest look sweeter (I only fly SW). We are so ready for a new airline business model, maybe with a little Customer Service this time.

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- Jack D.




New tasteless sig coming soon!

I see a BIG fall coming for the US airline industry...
And some "lean and hungry" carriers to start up to replace the lumbering carcasses of the old guard.

All inclusive pricing, for one thing... and "one price" for every passenger - no more "roulette wheel" pricing depending on the phase of the moon.

Of course, if the Government steps in and bails out the big airlines, then it won't happen.

Let them go under.
If they can't compete, let them die.

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Paul F.
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A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
----
Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
--

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Eureka, CA

... and that's why I fly AirTran. Hey, Delta: ..|..

Time for UPS and FedEx to step up to the plate with a special "Why carry when you can ship?" luggage promotion. I have family who does this when they come to visit; they pack some clothes and ship them to my house. After the trip, we ship them back. It's generally cheaper than the luggage fees, and seems like an untapped market for shipping companies.

And they're less likely to lose your clothes.

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Will Collier
... and that's why I fly AirTran. Hey, Delta: ..|..

Thanks for not letting me down, Will. ;)

I'm just surprised they haven't said one bag free but then charge for carryon. That would make more sense as it would speed up boarding and save money in turnaround time. I know lots of folks (myself included) who rarely check a bag but always have a full sized carryon. It is nearly the size of a checked bag but currently goes free. That is bound to change at some point.

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“No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.” -- François de La Rochefoucauld

"Those who cannot accept the past are condemned to revise it." -- Geo. Mathias

The German word for contraceptive is “Schwangerschaftsverhütungsmittel”. By the time you finished saying that, it’s too late

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DavidS

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Will Collier
... and that's why I fly AirTran. Hey, Delta: ..|..

Thanks for not letting me down, Will. ;)

I'm here for you, man.

my buddy shipped his golf clubs ahead when he flew for a trip.

cheaper than checking them, and safer.

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DavidS

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Will Collier
... and that's why I fly AirTran. Hey, Delta: ..|..

Thanks for not letting me down, Will. ;)

OMG, don't mention AirTran around my mother. 15 hours from Baltimore to Memphis and 18 hours from Memphis to Baltimore. Lots and lots of time in Atlanta and some very unexpected time in Delaware. She will never use them again, that's for sure.

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I see air travel as pretty much a high-end, luxury item.
My mom has never flown, anecdotally. (nor used a computer)
Except for a work-paid day trip, I don't think my sister has flown either. I can't recall her and her husband ever flying anywhere.
And I have never heard my other sister mention flying either. She lives in California. Drove 2,700 miles one way when she has come here. Heck, I've never ever been to her area. In my 45 years, I've only seen her 4 times in person because of this distance, ever. None of my family has a passport that I know of.

Now, my in-laws, they are travel-centric. Or at least their conversations in my presence always centers predominately around 'our next trip' or 'we are planning on going to' type talk.

I have always wondered why they fare sales. Just raise prices and stop cutting your own throats. If you can't make it at prices needed to sustain the company, don't be in business. If people need to get somewhere fast, let them buy their own planes and see how much it costs them then.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/12/2010 04:13PM by Mini 9.

I refuse to fly commercial flights when I can drive.

SO WHAT!!!!!!

Don't people realize that most airlines have been operating at a loss for YEARS. How can people really expect them to subsidize their travel forever?

Delta will probably be in the red for $1B this year. They need to raise revenues or they are outta biz. Same is true for most airlines.

I think its a waiting game to see who bleeds out first. Those that can bleed longer and outlive the competition will own the markets.

How does JetBlue make $20-30 million in profits every quarter with $39 flights, half the fees, wide aisles and comfortable seats?

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hal
SO WHAT!!!!!!

Don't people realize that most airlines have been operating at a loss for YEARS. How can people really expect them to subsidize their travel forever?

Delta will probably be in the red for $1B this year. They need to raise revenues or they are outta biz. Same is true for most airlines.

And the nickel-and-dime crap they're pulling now is going to help them, how exactly?

I think (in my admittedly not-so-educated opinion about marketing) that a "What you see is what you pay - no fees, no hidden charges, no bull$h!t" policy, EVEN WITH HIGHER FARES would win a lot of points.

Provide me a service, and tell me what it's going to cost up front without a load of bull.

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Paul F.
-----
A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
----
Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
--

--

--
Eureka, CA

I think the real problem is the many folks who push the carryon policy, bringing a giant roll on and suiter hanging bag, their computer bag and a duffle. Add to that a big coat they don't wear.... Not to mention shopping bags, kids toys, etc.

Women get hassled for a purse and normal weekender duffle. I was told I could not have both a tiny purse and computer bag once. So I put the purse in the computer bag...

There are people who each use the alloted carryon items for 3 people. The last third of the airplane to board has no where to put their one item.

The folks trying to get everything carryon , slow down boarding, hog the space and slow down deplaning. It should not be allowed.


They ought to charge for the excess carryon, not the one normal checked suitcase. Then charge for the oversized checked baggage and freight. People who follow the rules and check the bags like they are supposed to, should not be heavily penalized.


At least charge a reasonable fee, $25-$30 is a bit much. They charge $100 each way for a tiny Chihuahua that is smaller than a purse and fits under the seat.

Or do what the democrats would do. Charge all the rich people flying in First Class crazy money for having their "Cadillac" ticket.....well because they are rich - they can afford it. Let them pay for everyones bags.

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decocritter
Or do what the democrats would do. Charge all the rich people flying in First Class crazy money for having their "Cadillac" ticket.....well because they are rich - they can afford it. Let them pay for everyones bags.

And in the same tax the rich/subsidize the poor vein we could also fly the homeless for free! I don't know where they'd go...but it would be free!

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- Jack D.




New tasteless sig coming soon!

pensioners in UK ride their trains for free.

Quote
hal
SO WHAT!!!!!!

Don't people realize that most airlines have been operating at a loss for YEARS. How can people really expect them to subsidize their travel forever?

Delta will probably be in the red for $1B this year. They need to raise revenues or they are outta biz. Same is true for most airlines.

You might have a point, if Southwest and AirTran hadn't both made a very healthy profit last year. Delta can take their crappy service and expensive fares and shove it. They deserved to go out of business years ago.

I wish that Ryanair would set up shop in the United States.

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Will Collier
You might have a point, if Southwest and AirTran hadn't both made a very healthy profit last year.

And JetBlue.