Bag Weight

[DHCJr]

Here is something new that may be in the offing when you fly. I know I and I am sure most Armorers are traveling light if they have a bag under 60 pounds. I know it is rare to fly on a 19 passenger plane, but there have been times. I wonder if they will look at the larger planes next. Will we need to lighten are bags or pay extra soon. Here is the CNN article.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TRAVEL/01/27....ap/index.html

I was on a small plane where I was carrying about 400 pounds for an International in Colorado Springs taking off from Denver. They had to move the people in the Smoking Section (Yes, it was that long ago) to the front of the plane.

[DHCJr]

It has happened. I just received an e-mail from United. The maximum bag weight is now 50 pounds instead of 70. There will be a $25.00 few for any overweight bags. They say this is for domestic only, but for many people going oversees, they take a domestic flight first.

[mfp]

Originally posted by DHCJr
They say this is for domestic only, but for many people going oversees, they take a domestic flight first.

If your connecting US domestic travel on UA is on the same ticket as your international travel on UA (or another Star Alliance airline), the higher 70 lb limit per bag applies.

[Note however that travel to and from Canada on UA is not considered "international" for baggage limit purposes]

[Capt. Slo-mo]

And it seems Delta has also jumped on the surcharge over 50 lbs bandwagon as well.

sigh

( normally I travel with 6 checked equipment cases for work, all over 50, none over 70lbs..so I already pay a premium often in excess of the ticket price for the excess baggage)

[DHCJr]

Captain,

When I read your post, I felt there was something wrong, but I couldn’t figure out what. Then it came to me in the middle of the night, you should be thanking whoever came up with this plan, and you are going to save at least $70. With 6 bags at 70lbs you were paying $320 (4 excess bags at $80 each), now you will be paying $250 for those same bags (6 overweight bags and 4 excess bags at $25 each).

Now those like me were used to paying nothing and now are paying $50. Sometimes I would have 3 bags and would pay $80, now those same three bags would cost me $100 (3 overweight and 1 excess). United is just following in Bush’s footsteps. He gives to those that already have the most. Bill Gates will sure make out if the eliminating of the dividend tax. For me, I wish they got rid of the taxes on the Social Security taxes.

I think you should send a thank you note to United and all of us who are paying extra, so you can pay less.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Donald:

Come again? From what I was told, the number of checked bags allowed won't change.

So for my six bags, I get nicked for 4 excess bags PLUS the $25 dollars EACH for every bag of the six that weighs 50 lbs or more.

That means I just added nearly $150 to the bill every time I step into an airport, on top of the $200-$300 for excess bags I've been paying. (I get a media rate from some airlines)

And for this I should thank United?

[DHCJr]

Here is what I read. It used to be $80.00 for each excess bag and also $80.00 for each overweight bag. Now it is $25.00 for each excess bag and also $25.00 for each overweight bag. I once was hit for overweight, oversize and excess on the same baggage, a Gabarit, $240 for that one.

With 6 bags at 70lbs. All are overweight. 6 x $25 = $150. You have 4 excess bags. 4 x $25 = $100. $150 + $100 = $250.

I'm sorry I wasn't as clear. They did lower the free weight allowance, but they also lowered the amount you pay if you have 'excess' baggage, either weight or number. You can now take 7 70lbs bags for less than you use to pay for 6 70lbs bags.

I hope this made it clearer.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Donald:

Where did you read that? It's fine, if true, but it doesn't match what I was told at the United counter last week.

They were maintaining that the weight limit changes were in addition to the normal excess baggage charges.

This warrants further investigation!

Thanks...

[mfp]

Unfortunately, DHCjr is mistaken.

The only people who will pay less are those who have been previously checking overweight bags over 70 lbs and paying overweight fees. Instead of $80 in overweight fees, a 70+ lb bag will now be hit with a $25 overweight fee.

Bags weighing between 50 and 70 lbs get hit for a weight fee of $25. They previously were free of weight charges.

Excess bag fees remain the same.

http://www.ual.com/press/detail/0,1442,50573,00.html

UA, NW and DL have all jumped on the new fee structure.

The new fee structure currently only applies to domestic tickets.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

That was my understanding after perusing the airline websites.

Alas.

[DHCJr]

The information I received was from an e-mail, which I have deleted. I must have read it wrong. I stand corrected.