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For every bag that a passenger doesn't check, that's 50lbs of freight that they can fly and make further revenue on.
I'd have to dig through the financials, and really am not bored enough to do it, but I'd wager that the domestics started making more money in cargo shortly after implementing the bag check fee.
For every bag that a passenger doesn't check, that's 50lbs of freight that they can fly and make further revenue on.
I'd have to dig through the financials, and really am not bored enough to do it, but I'd wager that the domestics started making more money in cargo shortly after implementing the bag check fee.
A passenger's bag weighs the same whether they carry it aboard or check it. Decreasing checked baggage would free up space down below for extra cargo, but it won't change the overall weight being carried (unless people are simply flying lighter due to the bag fees).
Personally, I don't understand the logic of checked bag fees. It simply forces people to try and cram as much stuff as possible into the overhead bins, which will often delay departure while the flight attendants try and find space for the extra stuff or else gate-check it. Southwest, who doesn't charge for either checked bags or carry-ons, always seems to have enough space in the overhead bins. One of the many reasons they are my carrier of choice.
Exactly. Whenever I fly with airlines that don't charge, I always feel sorry for the last group of people who board and have to gate-check their bags because there is no room.
American charges a fee for checked bags only, but if you have to gate check because there is no room or your bag is deemed too big, they will check it for no charge.
A passenger's bag weighs the same whether they carry it aboard or check it. Decreasing checked baggage would free up space down below for extra cargo, but it won't change the overall weight being carried (unless people are simply flying lighter due to the bag fees).
Personally, I don't understand the logic of checked bag fees. It simply forces people to try and cram as much stuff as possible into the overhead bins, which will often delay departure while the flight attendants try and find space for the extra stuff or else gate-check it. Southwest, who doesn't charge for either checked bags or carry-ons, always seems to have enough space in the overhead bins. One of the many reasons they are my carrier of choice.
True but not many planes are flying close to maximum capacity in terms of total load. Available space in the hold will be well utilized.
A passenger's bag weighs the same whether they carry it aboard or check it. Decreasing checked baggage would free up space down below for extra cargo, but it won't change the overall weight being carried (unless people are simply flying lighter due to the bag fees).
Personally, I don't understand the logic of checked bag fees. It simply forces people to try and cram as much stuff as possible into the overhead bins, which will often delay departure while the flight attendants try and find space for the extra stuff or else gate-check it. Southwest, who doesn't charge for either checked bags or carry-ons, always seems to have enough space in the overhead bins. One of the many reasons they are my carrier of choice.
Technically not correct. Carry on luggage is included in the standard passenger weight. When you check luggage, while it doesn't actually add weight, it adds weight on paper. I believe a checked carry-on is worth 20 lbs, while a checked regular piece of luggage is figured at 30 lbs. If you take that checked carry-on and put it in the cabin, you "lose" 20 lbs of weight. On paper.
The reality is it's very unusual to get into a situation where you are putting up against gross weight or even bulking out, save for a select few international destinations on long flights.
On the regional Embrarer and CJ jets they do, as there is a baggage hold right there, and the plane doesn't have sufficient overheads. When you play carry-on roulette on a 737, the baggage goes in the main hold and comes back on the carousel.
And that really, REALLY sucks when your carryon contains stuff that should never be checked (like camera equipment). This is the major reason I have the airline credit card for both United and American: guaranteed Group 1 boarding.
I wish their major airlines would flip things around and allow 1 free checked bag, but charge for a carryon. It would be better for everyone.
Personally, I don't understand the logic of checked bag fees.
The logic originally was simply that it allowed the airline to advertise an artificially low fare. A lot of people are extremely price-sensitive when it comes to shopping for airfare, so that gave the first airline to do this (American, as I recall) a temporary advantage.
The logic originally was simply that it allowed the airline to advertise an artificially low fare.
There was an episode of "Here's Lucy" called Lucy Visits Jack Benny (30 Sep. 1968) where an inexpensive vacation becomes quite costly for the Carters when it's spent at cheapskate Jack Benny's in-home hotel.
A half century ago it was considered comedy to price all sorts of essential items as "additional fees" in order to advertise an artificially low price. Now it is a way of life for the service economy.
I agree, they have made more than enough profit since 9/11. So now they are just packing it on. No way out of it other than pay. America needs better rail service.
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