American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag- Page 2
American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#25re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 4:00pm
I agree about people bringing on carry ons the size of Ccalifornia & trying to jam it in an overhead.
In our carry ons we sometimes put bags of chips & cookies much like sneaking popcorn or candy into the movies.
TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#26re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 4:03pm
I blame Bush for all of this.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#27re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 4:05pmThis is definitely GWB'S fault along with late departures & those annoying children crying next to you.
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#28re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 4:43pm
"I blame Bush for all of this."
I blame the Democrats. If they would allow drilling in the US, oil prices would be 10 cents a barrel.
#29re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 4:45pm
Actually, this is one of the few areas in which Bush has done a few things right -- opening up military airspace during holiday travel for commercial travelers and limiting flight slots at the over-capacity New York airports.
And goth -- come on. That little patch in Alaska is going to reduce prices by more than 99 percent?
Updated On: 5/21/08 at 04:45 PM
#30re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 5:24pm
It will only make matters worse. Besides everyone trying to bring everything into the cabin (hence making flights late) they will now have to enforce the size rule, which means more time lost as they measure bags, and very angry passengers when they are told it's too big and they have to check it.....
(which is a good and bad as people bring so much crap, but for us who may bring one bag on which may be one inch over, it'll be a pain)
This is going to get really ugly. Just raise the damn ticket price $5
#31re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 5:29pmMy mom flew US Air twice last week and one flight was delayed by 5 hours, the other was cancelled entirely and she didn't get to leave until the next day.
#32re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 5:37pm
I travel a lot and never check a suitcase. I always take a carry on. And, if I did have to check a suitcase one time and pay a fee......so what? It's not the end of the world.
With out of control gas prices, all the airlines are suffering, and if they have to charge extra money to survive, then that's what they have to do. It's strictly a business decision so that they can stay afloat and keep employees working. They are damned if they do, and damned if they don't. I'm sure none of use would want to be in that position.
It just promotes such negative energy when these stories come out in the papers - like in today's "LA Times" about bad service in the airlines. People just love to focus on the negative. Yes, we'll all experienced delayed flights, small seats, etc.... People take is so personally when a flight is delayed - like the airline did it on purpose or something. Go figure?
It's like Nellie Forbush's brilliant line in "South Pacific" - I COULD NEVER IMAGINE MYSELF GETTING SO WORKED UP, TO BE SO LOW.
Updated On: 5/21/08 at 05:37 PM
#33re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 5:44pm
You are correct, neal.
Yes, surcharges are a pain. Yes, customer service sucks -- largely, because a lot of airlines don't have the bucks to pay great salaries. But if some of the major carriers go under, and we're left with only a few carriers having to handle most of our domestic travel -- imagine what prices and customer service would be like then. Flying domestically is, all things considered, damn cheap right now
I also feel for a lot of flight attendants, gate agents, etc. They take a lot of crap from understandably frustrated passengers just looking to take out their anger on someone, but most of the time, delays and canceled flights are not the airlines' fault.
Funny. I'm usually very zen about flight delays. Now, if the A train is 5 minutes late, I'm ready to pitch a hissy fit. 
#34re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 5:48pm
I've flown AA for just about every leisure flight for the past four years. I won't be doing that anymore. AA is a monopoly for some routes in my area, but if I have to take a layover - so be it.
I'm a girl. How the hell am I supposed to pack everything in a bag that fits in the cabin? Especially if I'm staying for more than two days. Travel containers are great if you can fit it in your quart size bag. And I wouldn't want to be constantly worrying about buying too much. Ridiculous.
And if they are suffering that much, maybe they should provide better service and cheaper prices to obtain MORE travelers.
#35re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 5:50pm
Juliet, how can the airline provide cheaper flights with gas prices at record levels? That doesn't make any sense. One of my many airline frequent flyer accounts is with American. In the 20+ years that I've had it, I've never, ever had a problem service or anything like that. Sure, there have been delayed flights, etc. It's not the end of the world. That happens in life.
I hear what you're saying about liquid bottles in the travel containers. That's a tough one. But, with heightened security after 9/11, that's the bigger priority...everyone's safety. On a recent trip to NYC that I took, I had to buy toothpaste when I got there. One little travel size wasn't going to last the entire time that I was in NYC. I had 2 choices...check a suitcase or buy my item when I got to my final destination. Taking the easier way was the best option.
Calvin, you are so right. The gate attendants and flight attendants have to deal with idiot passengers who are redirecting their anger at them. Never could figure out why some people do that.........why people kill the messenger?
Remember a few years back on A&E, the reality show "Airline?" I loved, loved that show. Mainly because it showed how stupid people are. On a recent Southwest flight, I asked the gate attendant how come that show isn't still on. He said that even though it got very, very high ratings for A&E, Southwest was concerned, because it didn't show their customers "in the best light." In other words.....it shows how stupid people are, and Southwest didn't like that. Ha, ha...
Updated On: 5/21/08 at 05:50 PM
#36re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 5:57pm
Sorry neal, I cannot buy that.
I also fly a lot. I have experienced things in this country that one would never see in Europe.
On many, MANY one hour flights in Europe you get a hot meal. Flights within Europe are cheap compared to here. And Vueling Air is the only one who ever charged me a fee for checking a bag.
We were amazed at the service we got on Malev in 2006. Now perhaps this is because there are so many airlines there, that they want your business.
But there is no excuse for the way airlines treat the people wo pay their salary, ie THE CUSTOMER.
If I am paying you to transport me, the bag should be included IN the price....as I previously mentioned...increase the fare little. That I won't complain about.
Do I get mad when a flight is delayed? No....but I DO get upset when they tell you nothing, and rather make someone come up to the desk and ask what is going on.
Be upfront, tell me the flight may be delayed or cancelled.
And don't give me the crap that they don't know....they DO know.
And, for the record, worked for National Airlines in Miami.....so I know the ropes.
I have stood way too many times getting no info, and then call the airlines 800 number and received the info I needed.
I am paying for a sevice, and I expect that.
I could not in my job act or treat people as I have seen the airlines do. I would be fired.
#37re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:03pm
One of the problems is that foreign competition is not allowed for many routes. That, and the fact that we pay to keep small airports open with little or no traffic, in order to justify their existence.
I would rather there just be a fuel surcharge, because except for business travelers who can expense their bag charge, everyone is going to carry on.
Our airlines here, and the TSA rules, are just crazy. Elphaba is right, Europe does this so much better than we do.
#38re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:03pm
Elphaba, you're right -- European airlines do have much better service. It's because they're operating at 10 percent margins while U.S. carriers are on razor thin margins or in the red. In Europe, airline jobs can be careers. Here, they're often not much better than minimum wage workers who probably don't have a lot of training in customer service because the airlines can't afford any better.
Why? Because Europe doesn't have a government that's sat on its ass for 50 years and not done anything for the industry (except bailouts when things go totally bad).
#39re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:03pm
Oh, gosh, we are going back...I remember National Airlines.
Traveling just isn't what it used to be, back in the day. Back then, it was an event to fly. You'd get all dressed up, you'd have hot meals, a movie, a piano bar (remember those on Continental?), etc. It's just different now.
Sounds like you've had some bad experiences and that's no fun.
In this day and age, the airlines are damned if they do, and damned if they don't.
#40re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:08pm
I would rather there just be a fuel surcharge, because except for business travelers who can expense their bag charge, everyone is going to carry on.
Except when companies refuse to pay for excess bag charges -- and some do. Believe me: no business traveler wants to pay ANYTHING out of pocket for a trip.
#41re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:10pm
Neal, I did use the "Fly Me" line a lot when marketing made that our slogan, lol
#42re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:11pm
#43re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:12pm
the good ole days
#44re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:15pm
#45re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:20pm
Calvin - if they want me to take a laptop on a three day business trip, I have to check luggage. So, if they want me to work, they better be willing to pay the cost to get me there!
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#46re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:21pm
I don't agree that people just focus on the negative. Recently, there have been several airplanes that have pushed away from the gate and sat on the runway for hours. In many cases, there is no reason for this. It's based on the pilot wanting to be considered for an "on time" take-off, regardless of the passengers. It's gotten so bad that Congress is trying to craft a Passenger's Bill of Rights.
Also, I've flown several times where the check-in gate says your flight is on-time, you walk down to the gate and they are saying it's on a 2 hour delay. Why can't the gate and the check-in desk communicate?
Finally, while I know that flight attendants and baggage handlers have to put up with a lot of crap, if normal people acted the way some of them do, they'd be fired. They are in secure union jobs and can treat the customer anyway they feel like.
#47re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:23pm
#48re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:32pm
True, YWIW. Companies don't want to piss off their road warriors.
I know some have enacted policies that they will not pay for excess baggage when the second item carries a charge (not counting pre-approved exceptions, of course). Not sure what they'll do with the single bag charge.
#49re: American Airlines Charges for First Checked Bag
Posted: 5/21/08 at 6:51pm
I think this is ridiculous. I see charging for a second bag. But the first?
And what are they going to do with the people who are stuck getting on the plane last and their bags (even if they are small) don't fit because everyone ELSE took up more than their share of space? Who has to pay to check their bags? The people who got on last? That isn't very fair.
I know some flights charge for the seats with more leg room, which I am okay with. Some also charge you to pick your seat ahead of time. Which I am okay with too. I will just get whatever seat I get and not pay the $6. But I cannot fit 2 months worth of stuff into carry on bags to go for my internship (especially since you can't have liquids over 3 oz in your carry on).
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