General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums$25 for Overhead Bins?
Frontier Airlines Says Yes
Frontier Airlines, a no-frills airline, is now classifying overhead bins as a perk, and will start charging $25 for their use.
http://money.msn.com/money-video/default.aspx?from=sharepermalink&videoid=486e4659-3197-6508-f238-b11702225ea6&sf=Relevancy#1&src=v5:share:sharepermalink:
Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)jberryhill
(62,444 posts)Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)I've done it. It's cheap and it works.
progressoid
(49,758 posts)tenderfoot
(8,421 posts)UPS ain't all that.
The_Commonist
(2,518 posts)Not going, but on the way home.
A couple of times.
I don't know if it was cheaper, but it was certainly easier and more fun.
MADem
(135,425 posts)selected for additional screening. I got tired of the TSA tossing my bags, so I'd board the plane with clothing/shoes that had no metal, and a wallet.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)good god....whats left to bilk us out of?
LiberalEsto
(22,845 posts)Banks have added so many fees in recent years that I fully expect them to start charging for breathing the air in their lobbies.
Xithras
(16,191 posts)A couple of years ago they wanted to introduce "standing room" aircraft, where the passengers would hold bars and overhead straps like on a bus. Citing safety concerns, regulators blocked their plan.
Xyzse
(8,217 posts)I wouldn't.
ProfessorGAC
(64,184 posts)I have always traveled very light, and i have to check bags all the time because i carry syringes on trips. So, what i have to take on a plane is very little and takes only an old laptop bag.
I think rather than charging $25, they should more strictly and stringently limit the size of the bags one can carry on. Then there would be more space for everyone's stuff and wouldn't delay the boarding process while someone is trying to fit a doghouse into the overhead bin.
GAC
Xyzse
(8,217 posts)That's true.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)They won't let you hold a bag in your lap....BUT you have to pay to put it in the overhead bin!
That is all!
ProfessorGAC
(64,184 posts)They could just add $8 to every ticket, nobody would notice, and it wouldn't be news.
They are making a broader play here because delayed loading times for small airport airlines cost them tons and speeding up the boarding process and leaving the gate on time saves them WAY more money than what they'll take in on this venture.
I know your point seems obvious, but this extra cash flow is not likely the motivator.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)with their competitors. THIS keeps the cost OFF the advertised price. Damn near EVERYONE needs the overhead bin....per THEIR rules.
ProfessorGAC
(64,184 posts)Sorry
liberal N proud
(60,289 posts)Ticket prices vary from day to day, hour to hour because they are competing for your business. Once they get your business, they start tacking on the fees, checked bag fee, fee for a blanket, fee for a pillow, fee to listen to their version of entertainment and fee for the headsets. Drinks, food and all the other stuff is all an added fee to drive profit because it is fixed.
ProfessorGAC
(64,184 posts)Still don't think this is a directly fiscal move. Think it's intended to remove hidden costs.
It's money either way, but the fees are not the driver IMO.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)its a shakedown.
joeglow3
(6,228 posts)Back in the old days, you had to pay out the ass for top of the line service. Airline travel was a social event and you even dressed for it. A downfall of this was that only the rich could afford it. What if you just needed to get from point A to point B and were willing to bypass pillows, a hot meal, etc? Too bad. Pay for all luxuries or drive.
What this ala cart service does is allow individuals who don't need the luxuries to avoid paying them, thereby making the base flight more affordable to more people. These things don't bother me because I am a tight ass and will do anything I can to avoid any fees charged.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)are they going to fly and wear the same clothes all week....this will NOT drop prices of tickets....sorry to disappoint you.
joeglow3
(6,228 posts)The person flying with nothing costs the airline less than the traveler with 2 carry-on's and 3 checked bags. What this does is essentially break out the costs on your bill and only charges you for what you use.
VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)you think this is about keeping prices low? Seriously????
Should they also charge you extra if you use the facilities too? After all....your waste products take up space too...
GMAFB....
Ms. Toad
(33,896 posts)when they started charging for checked luggage. If cash flow isn't the issue, stop charging for checked bags - problem solved.
raccoon
(31,084 posts)CTyankee
(63,708 posts)I know people are concerned about lost bags and I get that. But it's gotten out of hand. I have to check my bag since I wouldn't be able to lift it over my head. And it's a medium size bag, just perfect for 10 days in Europe or out to California to visit family. It's actually pretty lightweight (one of those silver metal ones) but easier for me to negotiate through airports...
lost-in-nj
(18,339 posts)Every time I fly a lot of people have their carry on bags as their only bag and almost every time we are waiting at the gate an announcement comes on about capacity and how the overheads will be full. So they ask everyone to gate check their carry ons for free and pick them up at the end of the flight. People have found a way to by pass the fee for checking luggage and I would guess frontier got tired of it. I expect to see more airlines do this. Now either way you will pay for your luggage. I don't know why they charge other than greed....
lost
DURHAM D
(32,580 posts)Initech
(99,881 posts)There's nothing good about this. Nothing,
Major Nikon
(36,814 posts)For one thing, it will deter people who somehow manage to bring 4 carry-ons (bag, laptop bag, huge purse/briefcase, large coat) and then inconsiderately try to stuff them all in the overhead so you either wind up with no space by the time you get on or they delay the flight because their shit doesn't fit and has to be checked.
Another thing is you can at least control your total cost by limiting the number of bags you bring. The airline is going to get their money either through fees or through fares. One of those things I can control. I never bring more than 1 carry on size bag regardless of whether I'm traveling 2 days or 2 weeks. I would just as soon let people who don't know how to pack pay more so I can pay less.
Then again, I have my own airline and don't travel commercial all that often. It has 4 seats and cruises at 155 mph and if you are lucky enough to travel on my airline you don't get to take more than 1 bag, period as I don't have that much space and more shit = less fuel due to weight and balance limitations.
oldhippie
(3,249 posts)He used to fly it with a buddy from Illinois to Florida every year for Sun & Fun. They always mailed their bags to FL. The only thing they would take on the plane was a toiletry kit. He said they needed all the fuel they could carry, not clothes.
Major Nikon
(36,814 posts)The useful load of my plane is 1048 lbs and it will carry up to 474lbs of fuel. If I'm only flying for 2 hours I can reduce my fuel load by about half. I always have at least 1 hour reserve.
The Ercoupe is a nice little airplane. There's still a lot of them flying.
penultimate
(1,110 posts)You get a small personal item (purse/laptop bag) and another bag/case to put into the bins. To charge extra to bring shit with you on your trip is ridiculous. It's one thing to charge extra for those who bring too much, but it's totally different to charge people for bring anything.
Major Nikon
(36,814 posts)They can hardly be blamed for ignoring them. The person scanning tickets has generally 80-300 people to get through the gate in a short period of time. They can hardly be expected to hold up the line policing everyone who brings on too many carry-ons. People routinely take advantage of this.
You also have consumers that seem to only care about what the base ticket price is because all they know to do is compare apples to oranges. If one airline charges $200 for a ticket between A and B and another charges $205 for the same route, which one do you think the consumer is going to select regardless of fees? The entire system rewards airlines which collect revenue through fees rather than tickets.
liberal N proud
(60,289 posts)They are nickel and dime'ing travelers to death. Only those nickels are $25 and the dimes are $50.
DURHAM D
(32,580 posts)and my carry-on fits under the seat in front of me. I never use the overhead bins because it just slows down the loading, causes arguments at the gate, causes fights among passengers and makes extra work for the attendants. I have even had bags dropped on me while in my seat.
When provided an online survey after a flight I have been suggesting for years that they charge for bags stored over-head. I guess they finally listened to me.
liberal N proud
(60,289 posts)Putting your bag under your seat and the cramping your legs and feet in the few inches that are left is not healthy.
MillennialDem
(2,367 posts)liberal N proud
(60,289 posts)MillennialDem
(2,367 posts)front of me. She was about a foot shorter. "No, I can't". Luckily it did fit in the overhead bin (had to play tetris). Then at the end of the flight she tells me to put my seat back to upright. I only reclined because the person in front of me did. "I can't go back upright" "yes you can" "no, I physically cannot until he puts his seat up".
Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)You can have your laptop out during flight keep the bag on the floor right in front of your seat -- allowing you to stretch your legs under the seat in front of you.
These days, whenever possible, I leave the laptop at home and travel with my tablet.
MillennialDem
(2,367 posts)even the empty bag does not fit under the seat in front of me. hell even my feet dont fit in the seat in front of me..
there is a bar that stops my feet from going to underneath the space of the person in front of me....
Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)Size 13 shoes, too.
MillennialDem
(2,367 posts)Retrograde
(10,063 posts)I use an airline credit card that allows a free checked bag. Even if I didn't, since most of my trips involve a change in O'Hare the relatively small (compared to the price of the ticket) fee is worth it not to have to haul a bag from C40 to F12 (which I think is the longest distance while staying on one airline and which I've done more than once). As I get older and less spry I find myself having more difficulty doing some things I once took for granted. I take a small bag on board with the things I can't lose - prescription drugs, a small laptop, change of underwear - that fits under the seat. On some planes I can't even reach the overhead bins!
BTW, United (at least last year) had a very nice toiletries kit for people whose luggage got delayed. And they delivered the bag to my hotel as soon as it arrived.
mwooldri
(10,291 posts)I don't know if you guys have ever heard of Ryan-air, but its CEO has come out saying things like charging for using the bathroom in the plane. You may get the best price ticket, but when you factor in all the other things it might be best just to fly with one of the big carriers and get something that resembles a service.
badtoworse
(5,957 posts)JayhawkSD
(3,163 posts)I believe the outrage made them withdraw that idea.
badtoworse
(5,957 posts)mwooldri
(10,291 posts)I posted about this... but here's a nice link to go along with it... http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/17/travel/ryanair-money-saving-schemes - charging for toilets, removing toilets, standing room only, boarding pass printing fees, charging for overweight passengers... Ryanair has grown to be a big carrier but if they can charge for it, they most likely will do just that.
Initech
(99,881 posts)"New rule: Ryan Air, the airline that wants to charge you for pay toilets, must merge with Spirit Airlines, the airline that wants to charge you for using overhead baggage space, to create a new airline called "Shitbag Airlines". "
dumbcat
(2,118 posts)... don't fly. I would prefer people didn't fly. Air travel used to be a lot more enjoyable (well, tolerable anyway.)
Major Nikon
(36,814 posts)Just not commercially
oldandhappy
(6,719 posts)Have had some near misses with people not able to handle their own over stuffed bags. I check my bag and walk on with a very small bag holding my book and tickets.
liberal N proud
(60,289 posts)They may still pay the fee and then need help getting their bag in the bin and then will just drag it out on the head of someone when they de-plane.
oldandhappy
(6,719 posts)fantasy for me!
MillennialDem
(2,367 posts)not going to check that!).
It easily fits in the overhead, much smaller than the huge rolling suitcases that people try to cram in.
whatthehey
(3,660 posts)As long as idiots keep buying $199rt tickets that end up costing $350 over a $300 alternative, and still continue with the transaction once total fees are disclosed before charging as they always are, that's how airlines will price things.
With a more informed customer base the exact partition of costs is immaterial however. I see not a scintilla of difference between a ticket price of 199 plus 151 in fees or an all inclusive price of 350.
A while back I even proved this on a hobbyist site where collectors sold small and fragile but expensive goods to each other. Most of us, me included, quoted prices including shipping. Some then started separating the cost, but always disclosing shipping upfront. So I'd sell you an XYZ for $250 shipped and someone else would sell you one for $230+$20 shipping. Some naturally complained that shipping did not cost $20, ignoring the finicky packaging and handling needed, and started refusing to buy from such sellers even though the total cost was exactly in line. To prove a point and that this was silliness, I started advertising mine for $15 plus $230 shipping and handling, no local pickup allowed. Being $5 cheaper overall, I would always get plenty of takers.
As long as the airline's total charge meets or undercuts the competition, then the breakdown is financially irrelevant. They can charge me $1 and $349 air recirculation fee for all I care. But if there are idiots who would buy that given the option of a $300 fare with no fee, then the customer is to blame as all booking sites I've ever seen disclose all fees before finalizing transactions.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)jberryhill
(62,444 posts)People complain about quality, but make a beeline for the lowest price they see.
longship
(40,416 posts)liberal N proud
(60,289 posts)HooptieWagon
(17,064 posts)Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)IF they would reduce the price of checked bags to encourage people to check their bags rather than carry on.
As someone who travels frequently, I'm annoyed as hell at the shit people being on the plane. Your fucking skateboard? REALLY?
I'd prefer a purse/briefcase ONLY rule.
MillennialDem
(2,367 posts)luggage from being carry on, other than for seniors or people with medical conditions?
Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)Charge $25 for the overhead. First checked bag is free. Second checked bag is $25.
For most business travelers, that means your laptop travels with you at no charge, and you can either check your small wheeled bag for free or (for your convenience) pay the $25 to have it ride in the overhead.
sir pball
(4,706 posts)I almost exclusively fly an airline which gives me two carryons and one checked for free, so I have no horse in this race. Regardless, 9 out of 10 times I just have an underseat backpack and a normal carryon-sized rolly bag. I never put anything important (laptop, keys, wallet, etc.) in the rolly anyway so I'd be fine checking it, I sometimes will gate-check to be polite, but it's pretty unreasonable to expect a person to be able to fit all their supplies for more than a weekend trip into a backpack. Overhead or checked, 98% of travellers are going to need some kind of larger solution.
Spirit's actually been doing this for a while, $26/carryon and $21/first checked...and their fares, at least out of NYC, definitely aren't $26 cheaper than jetBlue. Actually, just checked for a flight I already have booked - they're thirty dollars more with no luggage whatsoever. I'll take my free bags, seatback TV, full can of soda and three bags of snacks (the attendants just sort of throw them around by the handful), and epically awesome terminal, thanks.
tammywammy
(26,582 posts)I only fly for leisure, not business. I do understand people that are on business that just want to throw their carry-on luggage in the overhead and not wait on checked luggage.
Plus I'm short, and it just seems like a pain to get my bag up there. and more hassle (for me and those in my immediate vicinity) than it's worth.
I'm taking a trip later this summer to Vermont. Spirit Airlines is way cheaper than Delta/United/AA to get into Boston, but then if you figure in all the fees it's not.
Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)Given the way the airlines go in and out of bankruptcy, it doesn't appear like they're making a whole lot of money. In 2012, the industry as a whole reported a profit margin of 0.1%
So I don't begrudge them making a profit. Part of me just thinks, "Hell just charge me an extra $100 per ticket and do away with ALL the fees." But then you get the dude with the downhill ski's trying to carry them on.
Boarding is a pain in the ass when everyone is fighting for overhead space. The fees could a useful "social engineering tool" to get people to check their bags. But right now, charging checked bag fees is causing people to try to carry on EVERYTHING. Did I mention that's a pain in the ass?
MillennialDem
(2,367 posts)Major Nikon
(36,814 posts)October
(3,363 posts)flashcloud
(14 posts)Anyone with a brain knows deregulation brings business shenanigans.
October
(3,363 posts)Unfortunately.
And, I'm a fan of Carter, but this was disappointing.
KansDem
(28,498 posts)They'd hoist them up into the overhead bins and the spaces would fill up fast. Once, when I was at the back of the boarding line, I was told there wasn't any more space and I'd have to check through my attache case. I wasn't charged a "checked-luggage" fee.
I really didn't mind that time since the flight was only a couple of hours and I really didn't need my attache case during that time. But occasionally I fly with a musical instrument and would not have had it checked through for any reason!!
It was just a matter of time since the overhead bins now are being used as cargo holds.
liberal N proud
(60,289 posts)Those aluminum square gages they have at the gates which more than half of the checked luggage will not fit in are rarely if ever used.
If it is about space and not revenue, then the airlines could just do a better job of limiting the bags they allow to go down the jet-way.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)We need to wean people from the idea that reclining airplane seats is OK...
northoftheborder
(7,565 posts)Recursion
(56,582 posts)Why does your need win out over mine?
Hekate
(89,977 posts)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.
Shrike47
(6,913 posts)liberal N proud
(60,289 posts)Where it can get covered with whatever is on your shoes. Or they will say pony up.