American Airlines: Time to Pay for Checked Baggage

News Type: Event — Seeded on Wed May 21, 2008 12:35 PM EDT

Article Source: The New York Times

travel, american, airline, air-travel, baggage

American Airlines, the nation's largest air carrier, said Wednesday that it would begin charging $15 for many passengers to check their first bag, eliminating a free service that passengers in the United States have come to expect during the modern jet era.

Published to:

Whyren's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: none
Regions: New York

Public Discussion (4)

What's this?

Who's leading the conversation?

This visualization below allows you to see the impact that each user has on the current conversation. The top row contains the group of users who have had the most impact, the 2nd row the group of users who have had the 2nd most impact (et cetera). Users with similar impact are grouped together, and the average score of the group is shown to the left of the group. The author of the article is also shown on the left, in their corresponding group. Each user's score is based on the number of comments the user has made plus the number of votes their comments have received. The scores are calculated relative one another, so while their absolute value is not particularly important, their relative difference does indicate a larger difference in impact on the conversation.

0.9

{"commentId":1826474,"authorDomain":"whyren"}

Whyren

Air travel is looking less and less appealing...

{"commentId":1826474,"threadId":"267728","contentId":"1503610","authorDomain":"whyren"}

#1 - Wed May 21, 2008 12:36 PM EDT

{"commentId":1826557,"authorDomain":"katrixx"}

katrix

Great. Too many people already try to bring oversized carryon luggage aboard - this is going to make the boarding process even worse.

The "charging passengers by the pound" comment was interesting. I could see a lot of arguments between passengers and airline personnel because most people think they weigh less than they do, and would be very embarrassed to be weighed at the airport. And how on earth would you be able to budget for a trip in the future? You might show up and have to pay $50 more because you gained weight since you bought your ticket. And would you get a refund if you lost weight? Doesn't seem like a possible cost model to me.

{"commentId":1826557,"threadId":"267728","contentId":"1503610","authorDomain":"katrixx"}

#2 - Wed May 21, 2008 12:52 PM EDT

{"commentId":1826766,"authorDomain":"defex"}

DeFex

The airlines and TSA are doing a great service to the environment. The tourist industry, not so much.

{"commentId":1826766,"threadId":"267728","contentId":"1503610","authorDomain":"defex"}

#3 - Wed May 21, 2008 1:41 PM EDT

{"commentId":1826801,"authorDomain":"fdmataya"}

DCMcDonald

We have flown from the mainland to Europe many times on Northwest Air.
The services on flight was always okay. The problem comes when dealing with
damaged baggage and missing items from your unlocked bags by air security.
Customer service is unwilling to take responsibility for either event. Missing items
is a huge problem and damaged bags have gotten worse.
They will not be responsible for ANY medications or garage door openers in
checked baggage!! For long trips, hand carrying all these items can be a burden
and increase the carry-ons necessary to travel.

{"commentId":1826801,"threadId":"267728","contentId":"1503610","authorDomain":"fdmataya"}

1 vote

#4 - Wed May 21, 2008 1:47 PM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"267728","isPrivate":false}

WHYREN

Backyard

American Airlines: Time to Pay for Checked Baggage

Published to:

FUN STUFF:

COMPANY STUFF:

LEGAL STUFF: