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The head of the nation's most fee-happy airline told Congress today that bringing luggage on vacation was "not essential" to travel and his airline was actually helping the poor fly by charging up to $45 to place a carry-on bag in the overhead bin.
Carry-on bags, excessive luggage, and abuse of overhead bins have been exhaustively discussed in this forum, but I guess it's not over yet. I suppose much of this goes all the way back to deregulation in the 70's.
I usually just carry a backpack--so is this a discount to people who travel light? It would be a good marketing tool and perhaps catch them a few more customers, but their presentation is so antagonistic.
Maybe they should show a price breakdown in their advertisements (along with an on-time record.)
It is dawning on me that this nickel and diming routine is not going to go away, but I am going to make extra effort to use the airline that treats me like a desired customer instead of a PITA adversary.
Give me all these add-on fees upfront rather than tucking in hidden charges here and there like gristle in a stew.
ETA: It doesn't look like Spirit treats its employees or customers all that well.
Last edited by BlueWillowPlate; 07-16-2010 at 02:55 AM..
When I was flying around Europe and flying Vueling most of the time to check in a bag cost a lot of money but over head bin bags were free. However I never had anything larger then a backpack going to cities for 2-4 days. So he is RIGHT! You do not need a bag to travel.
Spirit Airlines has all the right to charge for whatever they want. That is how our economy works if they want to charge a lot for bags so be it dont fly them. However it seems like there rules and charges are working since they are the most profitable airline in the US right now. They offer ultra low prices but your paying for what you paid for a ride to a destination if you want to add luggage etc.. then you have to pay more for it. There is nothing wrong with doing this. If people dont like it dont fly the airline. I hate it and have only flown Spirit twice and will probably never fly them again. But I wont say this is wrong they can do what ever they want with their pricing.
If companies can do "whatever they want with their pricing", so can customers do "whatever they want with their money" and take their business "wherever they like".
Spirit Airlines is like RyanAir in Europe. It's a no frills airline, with a la carte everything. RyanAir is known for this and people actually seek them out to save money on airfare. Why Americans get up in arms over one airline, an airline with a specific purpose, is beyond me. They're doing exactly what RyanAir has been doing for years in Europe. I see no issues with this. Would I fly with them? No, mostly because I have ff status with Delta and choose them 99% of the time. There are many airlines out there, you don't have to fly Spirit.
Call me crazy but I'm guessing "poor" people probably don't fly all that much. Still, I find the US airline fees are still quite cheap in comparison to some European airlines. BA charges £45 (approx $70) for the 2nd bag you check and £90 (approx $140) for the third.
Well not everyone can afford to buy anything that they can't fit in a backpack or shoulder bag at their destination.
That's why a traveler learns how to pack carefully. It's really not that big a deal.
I take a backpack on 3 week long trips and the only 'extras' I buy at my destination are souvenirs.
I certainly don't purchase more clothes or toiletries.
A lot of airlines are going a la carte these days: Your first checked bag, your second, your seat, your meal etc etc. (http://www.expedia.com/daily/flights/airline-fees.asp - broken link)
Of course Spririt may charge as they see fit. That's the way it works.
While I've certainly been a repeat customer to several airlines, including BA, I'm usually not faithful to any particular one.
And I probably won't start now, especially with Spirit.
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