British Airways now charges travelers — a move that won't impact fliers traveling to or from the U.S., but one that could soon be emulated by U.S. carriers.
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Just drive
This is a truly bad idea. Travel by air has become quite a hassle as it is and less appealing. I've become more and more keen on driving on some of those shorter flights — ie NY to Boston or Philly or even the DC area. When you factor in the airport security and total trip time, there isn't much of a difference these days between driving and flying. ...
Airlines aren't freight carriers
I absolutley love this idea. As an airline worker who has taken more and more pay cuts, while ticket prices have remained the same for over 10 yrs. (only taxes have risen.) I think this is an excellent idea. I am sick to death of bags that weigh more than I do or take 2 people to get into the airport being checked as passenger 'luggage' — airlines are not freight carriers, though it sometimes looks like it during an international flight. Often passengers bring in expandable bags that are almost the size of a small car, why shouldn't more restrictions be enforced? ...
Forget about good business practices
The airlines, along with higher educational institutions, are the worst run businesses in the world. The pricing models have little to do with reality, thus require constant changing. Although most are on the edge of bankruptcy, they continue to make the same mistakes time and again, not surprisingly, reaching the same result. The idea of building customer loyalty has long disappeared from most air carriers. ...
Another regulation
I think this is ridiculous. I've been traveling regularly in the last 11 years since I was 17 and I remember the first major baggage restriction that was enforced in 1996 when they restricted the number of checked baggage to two pieces of luggage. I thought that it was fair enough to prevent someone from taking 5 pieces of luggage with them for just a two week trip. Then they regulated the amount of carry-on that you can carry with you. Another regulation that was fair enough to impose. But to impose a one-bag check-in policy is ridiculous, especially when flying internationally. I thought having a weight limit for the total weight of all check-in baggage was fair enough. ...
Pack light
I would be probably upset if this happened about 15 years ago but now, it doesn't really matter. Whenever I fly with my family (of 4 with kids 9 and 10) domestic or international, we each take one bag. Our bags are also the roll-type bag that is qualified for carry-on, except my kids — they share a bag and it must be checked-in. I guess you can say, we pack light — a week's worth, if longer, in some cases we used the hotel laundry service or find a laundromat. Either way, it's not a bad idea that BA has taken this step. ...
Overstuffed overhead
While I agree that the amount of luggage some passengers take with them is outrageous I think these people should be penalized not those who take two pieces of luggage but make an effort to keep them under much lighter should not. The biggest problem as I see it, and I travel internationally and within the U.S. several times a year is those passengers is the amount of stuff taken into the cabin. I have frequently been hit on the head by passenger in a hurry to get on and off planes trying to stuff over head bins with their belongings.. ...
It's time for an airline bill of rights
As some people may remember, at one time governments regulated the airline industry and imposed rules concerning how many bags, how much weight, etc. could be brought on board without extra charges. This regulation also resulted in relatively high fares and much airline inefficiency. Without such regulation, we will always see some airline for some reason, proposing things passengers do not like. The only thing passengers can do is to "vote with their feet" or suggest that the airlines be re-regulated in some fashion. Maybe it is time, as some are now proposing, that there be an "airline bill of rights" which should not only address matters such as the right to be properly treated when flights are canceled, but also things like baggage allowances. ...
What's next?
Not only can't we carry anything on anymore, they are going to charge us to check it in! Flying has become the most unpleasant mode of travel on this planet, I absolutely hate flying anymore. They cram us into dirty planes (they stink most of the time, and it ain't cigarette smoke!) where there isn't enough room for you lean over to scratch your leg. ...
It's gone too far
Oh, good grief! I was OK with the rules so far. It is for our safety! My father retired from TWA(remember them?) & I am one who understands & doesn't throw a hissy over these things. Go in with the right attitude & you will be treated the same. BUT! This is going waaaaayyy too far! I don't know how travelers are going to maneuver this! If you have to keep checking your toiletries, this takes up a lot of space, even if you whittle it down to the bare necessities. And, no, not everyone can afford to purchase these items while travelling. Plus! They would probably have to toss them at the end of their trip. Very expensive! ...
Why punish us all?
As someone who has to regularly travel for business, I'm not looking forward to this type of policy appearing over here in the U.S. You can't carry on any tools, gels and liquids are a pain and/or banned in any useful quantities, and yet when you have to check them you'll get charged for it. ... Since I am in field service, I always have a toolkit as one of my bags, and it has been tailored to fit perfectly inside the standard luggage size and weight restrictions. So, my company (or more likely, customers) will have to foot the bill for me actually needing, oh, say clothing or something like that? Limited carry-ons and a standard of 2 bags per person isn't even close to being excessive, so why punish everyone instead of actually enforcing the restrictions already in place? ...
Shockingly inconvineint
I can t believe they are doing this — it's ridiculous. First you cant take your carry-on anymore because you shockingly have a tube of toothpase or some lotion in it - you know for "precaution" - since those items are highly dangerous. This reduced carry-ons - now theyre reducing your normal luggage amount? I agree that they should restrict the 2 bags (maybe even reduce the weight for them) but not the amount of bags. Also if you're on an international flight and have a roundtrip longer than a week where do they expect you to put your necessary things? ...
FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane
FOR SUBSCRIBERSThe debate over AI’s future rages on both coasts
No service, no space ... no money?
The airlines are out of control and it is time we start telling them with our pocketbooks. When one airline tries something, like a rate hike and gets away with it all other airlines soon follow. The service is getting worse and worse, food and drinks are disappearing and the amount of seat space gets smaller. All the while the planes are completely packed and yet they still complain they are not making any money. ...
FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane
FOR SUBSCRIBERSThe debate over AI’s future rages on both coasts
It's not about the customer, it's about business
What most of you fail to understand is that this move will not reduce ticket prices, it will not increase wages for their employees, it will not make it easier for most passengers to fly. What it will do is generate additional income (i.e. profit) to airlines. I won't say whether or not this is a bad idea. All I will say is that in this day and age with governments regulating oil prices and continuously raising taxes, it's no wonder airlines, or any other companies for that matter, are charging customers more for their services. It's the only way they can stay in business. ...
Weighing the weight factor
I agree that many people have exceeded luggage and weight restrictions ... I recently took a domestic flight and went to help a elderly woman with her carry on. I sincerely believe that it weighed in excess of 50 pounds since it took both of us to lift it into the overhead. It turns out that she had been traveling abroad and it contained a huge amount of "ceramics" that she had gathered from several countries. Did anyone bother to weigh her carry on? ...
Not surprised
As a retired airline pilot, I saw this coming back in the early '80s shortly after deregulation. Essentially, Congress, with the help of Milton Friedman, decided to give the airline bosses a free hand in how they manage their companies without having to answer to either the public or the employees. Congress wanted to eventually phase out EAS (Essential Air Service) funding to save tax dollars. It was believed in 1978 when deregulation of Air Transportation was passed, that the airlines would become more competitive, provide cheaper air fares and operate more efficiently. ...
Less luggage equals bigger bags
The only thing this will create is people who will carry more onto an already over crowded plane. It's amazing to me how an industry which can never be on time, routinely loses the luggage you check, crowds you into seats that aren't big enough for a munchkin to be comfortable in, are now going to charge you to check your bags? Perhaps, if the people who run these companies, and I use the term "run" loosely, cut back on their ludicrous bonuses, the airlines might actually make a profit. ...
Travel light, save your cash
Fuel is expensive. Bags are heavy. Overstuffed bags are heavy and aggravating. When you travel on commercial flights, one should travel light. If one insists on checking every item that they 'might' need on the trip, paying for it would be a wonderful idea. Let the pocketbooks of the passengers determine how much weight the airline personnel must lug around on their behalf. ...
No more gift for the grandkids
Gone are the days when the airlines treated its passengers like guests. Passengers have been stripped of meals, leg room, toothpaste, privacy, etc, etc. I travel extensively to visit all my family members. I usually have gifts to take to hand to my young grandchildren and heavy clothing for the cold winters there. I pack as lightly as I can, while still making my trip a fun thing for us. Often I am going for 9 or more days. This does require a few essentials!. ...
What about souviners?
If anyone thinks that their fare is going to be reduced by this new rule they're nuts and maybe you want to share those delusional drugs you are on with the rest of us, so we won't notice the extra charges when we fly next time. This rule will definitely impact tourism cities where shopping is apart of the vacation, like NY, Paris, Orlando. I know that every time I go to Orlando I go with one bag and come back with two. While I am there I go shopping and pick up gifts for xmas and birthdays. Maybe it's time to start thinking about driving down and forget the airlines entirely. I also like the idea of a private jet, I really must look into that for the next family vacation. ...
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