US Air and United's New Baggage Charge begins on May 5th

[KidLazy]

Other airlines might soon follow.
Soooo... pack light, people.
Pack LIGHT.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120519352406325701.html


EDIT: May 21st, 2008. Post #5, Page 1, New Charges.
Eventually, it has come to this.
Starts on June 15... so... how many of you fly American to SN this year?

If you buy the ticket now (before June 15), do you need to pay for your fencing bag when you fly to SN (mid-July)?


News link:American Airline to charge 1st checked bag

[LTranter]

What obnoxious is that I looked into flights from Jacksonville, FL to Columbia,SC for SE sectionals for myself and my son. Tickets via US Air were 425... EACH! I could drive it in 5 hours and THEN they want to charge me for our fencing bags??

Ironically, JetBlue to SanJose in June for us right now is about 260 EACH. They are still apparently going to charge for the fencing bags, but looking at the mileage difference it still seems like quite a bargain.

I think the airlines are going to shoot themselves in the foot with this one. My prediction: More people trying to carry on luggage that doesn't fit in the over head bins.

L

[Zilverzmurfen]

So basically, the US airlines are now adjusting to international standards...

[TBean]

Shipping your equipment becomes a better and better option.

[KidLazy]

Eventually, it has come to this.
Starts on June 15... so... how many of you fly American to SN this year?

If you buy the ticket now (before June 15), do you need to pay for your fencing bag when you fly to SN (mid-July)?


News link:American Airline to charge 1st checked bag

[teacup]

Air Canada has different fare rates depending upon services, offering discounts for no checked baggage, advance seat selection, or no frequent flier miles.
http://www.aircanada.com/en/news/oneway/index.html

Personally, I would would rather have a low fare and pay for additional services such as checking bags, seat selection, etc.

[Hyena]

Shipping your equipment becomes a better and better option.

Quoted for emphasis.

[teacup]

Shipping your equipment becomes a better and better option.

Shipping a fencing bag is probably more expensive that $15.00.

[KidLazy]

But it might be cheaper than check-in 2+ bags.
Also, there will be no need to wait at long check-in line, don't have to get to airport extra early, and don't have to stand at the baggage claim forever to pick them up. Time is money, and a lot will be saved.

[teacup]

Maybe but using two planes, trucks, and/or cars to get you and your luggage to the same place, leaves twice the carbon footprint than if you bring your luggage with you.

Not all decisions are based on the bottom line.

[KidLazy]

Maybe but using two planes, trucks, and/or cars to get you and your luggage to the same place, leaves twice the carbon footprint than if you bring your luggage with you.

Not all decisions are based on the bottom line.

W = Fd

Since total weight is the same (passangers & package), traveled distance is similar, therefore the total energy used will be similar, not twice. Lighter load uses less fuel, heavier load uses more fuel. Assuming the same fuel-efficiency for similar vehicles, then the new carbon footprint won't be twice as much (will have increase just not twice).

[teacup]

W = Fd

Since total weight is the same, traveled distance is similar, therefore the total energy used will be similar, not twice.

Okay, thanks for the science lesson.

Actually, I think there should be a total weight allowance per person which includes the passenger and baggage. The baggage can be carried on or checked.

[Right-Handed Lefty]

If you buy the ticket now (before June 15), do you need to pay for your fencing bag when you fly to SN (mid-July)?

I read a travel blog about this yesterday (which I cannot locate for the life of me), but basically it said that the airlines generally will grandfather the early ticket buyers into paying the bag fee. They might waive it at the ticket counter if you ask and can prove when you purchased the tickets.

[Inquartata]

Coming soon: Pay toilets, coin-operated overhead bins, and perhaps an "oxygen use fee".

"Yes, sir, you reserved a seat. Did you want the cushions? Those are extra."

[pokey]

If you buy the ticket now (before June 15), do you need to pay for your fencing bag when you fly to SN (mid-July)?

According to American Airline's website, no. At least not as excess baggage (oversize is something else...)

The following customers will not be charged a service fee to check a bag provided the bag is within the weight allowance:

* For the first checked bag, customers who buy a ticket before June 15, 2008, or who fly before June 15, 2008
* For the second checked bag, customers who purchased a ticket before May 12, 2008

More exceptions here.

[teacup]

Contrary to popular knowledge, American Airlines does not have a baggage tracking system. It seems like they do since they use the computer printed tags but unlike other airlines such as United, American doesn't know where the bags are.

So maybe if no one checks bags on AA anymore, they won't have to bother buying a tracking system.

By the way, one way not to get charged that second bag fee is to carry your bag up to the gate and when it doesn't fit, they will check it for you for free planeside. Plus you don't have to wait at the carousel.

[KidLazy]

Okay, thanks for the science lesson.

Actually, I think there should be a total weight allowance per person which includes the passenger and baggage. The baggage can be carried on or checked.

I did a very rough calculation, just want to see if my guess was right or wrong.

747-8I
Empty Weight 410,000 lbs
Max. Takeoff Weight 970,000 lbs
Main Deck Volume 24,462 cu. ft.
Lower-Hold Volume 5,850 cu. ft.

Assume fuel-efficency is the similar between 747s.
Assume airplanes take off at Max. Takeoff weight (because airlines like to pack them up).
Assume Passanger-to-baggage weight ratio is similar to Main-Deck-to-2xLower-Hold volume ratio (since Baggage is denser than Passangers. Don't know the exact ratio, it is assumed this way just so I can have some number to look at ).

Then,
Passengers + Baggage response for = 970,000 - 410,000 = 560,000 lbs (including fuel needed to fly)
Passengers :Baggage = 24,462 cu. ft:2x5,850cu.ft = 378,815 lbs:181,185 lbs
A single flight for Passengers + Baggage = 970,000 lbs
A single flight for Passengers only = 410,000 + 378,815 = 788,815 lbs
A single freight flight = 970,000 lbs (Packed to Max. with baggage, because that's how UPS or FedEx does)
Portion of freight flight that shipped Baggage is response for = 970,000(181,185)/560,000 = 313,838 lbs

Single flight with Passengers + Baggage, we need energy for 970,000 lbs.
Separated flight, we need energy for 788,815 + 313,838 = 1,102,653 lbs
Fuel-useage incresed by 13.7% when flight separated for the same passangers and baggage.
Thus, the carbon footprint we leave by shipping the baggage would probably increase by 13.7%.
A small increase (just not twice).

Not all decisions are based on the bottom line.

I have to think on that some more...

[teacup]

Don't forget the separate trips to and from the airports both departing and arriving.

[KD5MDK]

Also note I don't believe any of the US airlines are making you pay those fees if you have elite status.

[Inquartata]

And how'd you get that, then? By exploiting the workers! By hanging on to outdated imperialist dogma which perpetuates the economic and social differences in our society!