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In reply to the discussion: $25 for Overhead Bins? [View all]

Hekate

(89,974 posts)
74. The notion of low-cost flights is an advertising ploy & nothing else
Thu May 1, 2014, 12:26 PM
May 2014

Personally, I consider the advertised fare to be the base price, like the base price on a car. Do I want a Porsche (first class seating)? No. Very nice, but unaffordable.

What I need is to check my bags (+$25), to stow my CPAP in the overhead bin (should be free, as it's medically necessary), use the toilet (if they charge for that, add it to the base price) and so on. Be sure to add on the new fees/taxes. THAT's the true cost of your ticket.

I shop around for a good price, to be sure, but I never ever take the base price to be the actual fare. Some marketing agency did surveys that showed that what consumers want above all is Low Fares -- even if they are an illusion.

I wish there were a meaningful Passengers' Bill of Rights, but that's another story.

$25 for Overhead Bins? [View all] liberal N proud Apr 2014 OP
At some point it will be cheaper to overnight your luggage via UPS. Jesus Malverde Apr 2014 #1
That's quite popular already jberryhill Apr 2014 #4
Or plan ahead a little and send a box of stuf via the US postal service. Nye Bevan Apr 2014 #7
I do that with my equipment when I fly. progressoid Apr 2014 #9
Why UPS when the USPS offers the same service for a lesser cost? tenderfoot Apr 2014 #27
I've done that. The_Commonist Apr 2014 #30
I used to do that during the Bush years when I was always (and I mean always) MADem May 2014 #77
Will they charge for seatbelts next? VanillaRhapsody Apr 2014 #2
Breathing the air, of course! LiberalEsto Apr 2014 #5
Seatbelts? Ryanair wanted to eliminate SEATS! Xithras May 2014 #81
That's ridiculous. Xyzse Apr 2014 #3
I Have Almost Never Used Overheads ProfessorGAC Apr 2014 #6
Can understand. Xyzse Apr 2014 #8
They don't care about sizes of bags....they care about wringing more cash out of us... VanillaRhapsody Apr 2014 #10
Not Really Buying That ProfessorGAC Apr 2014 #21
Not buying it....putting it on everyone's ticket would make them have to compete on THAT price point VanillaRhapsody Apr 2014 #22
I Remain Unconvinced ProfessorGAC May 2014 #40
The fees are the single biggest profit for airlines liberal N proud Apr 2014 #23
I Know All That ProfessorGAC May 2014 #41
Exactly......this is the new Capitalism... VanillaRhapsody May 2014 #56
Or....it is a good thing joeglow3 May 2014 #61
Uh no..... VanillaRhapsody May 2014 #73
Uh yes... joeglow3 May 2014 #75
this is ridiculous..... VanillaRhapsody May 2014 #79
That was a problem of their own creation, Ms. Toad May 2014 #42
ITA! nt raccoon Apr 2014 #17
that is my complaint, too. CTyankee May 2014 #50
I'm not saying it's right but lost-in-nj Apr 2014 #11
Good. DURHAM D Apr 2014 #12
What's good about this exactly? Initech Apr 2014 #16
I can think of a couple of good things about this Major Nikon May 2014 #48
My dad flew a '46 Ercoupe for many years ....... oldhippie May 2014 #53
If I carry 4 people I sometimes have to mail the bags Major Nikon May 2014 #54
It's been my experience that most airlines only allow you to carry-on two items penultimate May 2014 #67
They establish those rules and then routinely ignore them Major Nikon May 2014 #68
You enjoy extra fees? liberal N proud Apr 2014 #24
I always pay to check my luggage DURHAM D Apr 2014 #25
You must not need that leg room liberal N proud Apr 2014 #33
Physically impossible for me to put anything under the seat in front of me. I'm 6'2" MillennialDem May 2014 #43
Exactly! liberal N proud May 2014 #46
Shorties don't get it. Had a flight attendent tell me to put my laptop bag under the seat in MillennialDem May 2014 #49
It's only for take-off and landing... Jeff In Milwaukee May 2014 #66
omg you dont get it MillennialDem May 2014 #70
I'm 6' 1" and I do it all the time. Jeff In Milwaukee May 2014 #71
a lot of guys round up. im a woman and 6'2 barefoot. smaller feet than you but longer inseam i bet MillennialDem May 2014 #72
So do I, indirectly Retrograde Apr 2014 #36
That's what happens with a no-frills airline. Fees, fees, fees. mwooldri Apr 2014 #13
What's next? Pay toilets? badtoworse Apr 2014 #14
On one British cut rate airline, yes. JayhawkSD Apr 2014 #15
Unbelievable badtoworse Apr 2014 #18
Could be a reality... mwooldri Apr 2014 #19
Bill Maher had a great new rule about this a while back: Initech Apr 2014 #39
Pay the fee, pay a higher ticket price, or ... dumbcat Apr 2014 #20
Still is Major Nikon May 2014 #51
sorta support this oldandhappy Apr 2014 #26
The passengers ability to get the bag up there has nothing to to do with it liberal N proud Apr 2014 #32
yep. I was sort of hoping the fee would stop the use of the bin. oldandhappy Apr 2014 #37
I check my bag and bring my laptop backpack only on the plane (with laptop of course, I'm MillennialDem May 2014 #44
when the general masses act on total costs this will stop whatthehey Apr 2014 #28
^^^^^^^^^truth Blue_Tires Apr 2014 #38
Precisely jberryhill May 2014 #52
Is that luggage, or seating? longship Apr 2014 #29
I guess if you can fit in the overhead bin liberal N proud Apr 2014 #31
I once rode in the overhead bin on a bus. nt HooptieWagon Apr 2014 #34
I could go for this.... Jeff In Milwaukee Apr 2014 #35
How about a laptop backpack? I'm not checking that. Maybe even just eliminate rolling MillennialDem May 2014 #45
It it can be stowed under the seat, it flies for free Jeff In Milwaukee May 2014 #64
That's reasonable enough - actually a better compromise than overhead free/$25 checked. sir pball May 2014 #69
I only bring on a backpack and purse that fit under the seat. tammywammy May 2014 #62
It's not that I mind the fees... Jeff In Milwaukee May 2014 #65
How much to ride in the cargo hold? :) MillennialDem May 2014 #47
Unfortunately it's now illegal to send your kids through the post Major Nikon May 2014 #55
Consumers wanted deregulation... /nt October May 2014 #57
Republicans wanted it... flashcloud May 2014 #63
Agree, in that republican have exploited it... but Carter signed it into law in 1978 October May 2014 #83
I've noticed passengers bringing steamer trunks on board to avoid paying checked-luggage fees KansDem May 2014 #58
Airlines blame the passengers for the large bags when they don't enforce the size limitations liberal N proud May 2014 #60
How about $25 to recline your seat? I would support that Recursion May 2014 #59
NO. I must recline my seat; sitting straight upright for prolonged periods causes me back pain. northoftheborder May 2014 #76
And having the seat in front of me shoved into me causes me chest pain Recursion May 2014 #82
The notion of low-cost flights is an advertising ploy & nothing else Hekate May 2014 #74
Where do you put your coat? Around here in winter, you bundle up until on the plane. Shrike47 May 2014 #78
I would guess they will tell you to stick it under your seat liberal N proud May 2014 #80
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