As a frequent flyer I know all too well the headaches that carry-on luggage can cause on a flight. It's usually the people that don't travel regularly that either have bags that are too big to fit in the overhead or bags that don't fit the short way to accommodate more bags. It's frustrating for sure. It can even cause delays. However, for Spirit Airlines and others to consider charging for Carry On luggage, I think you're going about it the wrong way. Sure it's your airline and you can do whatever you want. You can charge whatever you want. No question about that. I think that most will view this as a negative even though you've supposedly lower the price of checked bags and that's my point. You charge your customers either way. It would be different if you said. "Hey if you want to carry your bag on there's a fee, but if you check it then it's free." Although I wouldn't be totally happy with that, at least it would be more fair and perhaps ease much of the pain I've described above. Also since you invested in all of those "your bag should fit in here" kiosks, why not charge the folks with bags that don't fit? Or simply enforce that policy of "if it doesn't fit in here, then you can't bring it on" that you already have and much of this issue would go away.
Here's what the CEO of Spirt Airlines had to say about this:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omYDG-YuSxI
The Bottom Line
Luckily Delta (the carrier I fly the most) and others did not follow suit and I think they didn't because they know that their customers wouldn't like it. Most travelers are traveling with things that can't be checked such as laptop computers and other fragile items (although a "purse" or "briefcase" is probably still allowed for free). So in effect you're punishing everyone with this policy because most of us don't have a choice. We have to travel with something that we can't check. I'm certainly not going to check my camera gear or other valuables. And again you're charging customers no matter what they do so I don't really see how this is helping anything other than perhaps your bottom line.
And what makes you think airlines *are* interested in anything other than their bottom line? In fact, if they were interested in anything else, their shareholders would be up in arms. Customer service is a means to an end only — as soon as the other airlines charge for carryons, so will Delta.
I’m sure that’s all they’re interested in for the most part. However, Delta has already stated that they will NOT be doing this. Sure things can change, but that’s what’s being said so far.
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/item.aspx?type=blog&ak=88545.blog
There is one more VERY important thing to this issue. There are certain types of equipment that I would NEVER and I do mean NEVER trust to checked in bag (i.e. photo camera along with lens worth server thousand dollar, laptop etc.). And this is mainly for two reasons: they happen to loose the checked in luggage from time to time and most important – I have seen what has happened with laptops/cameras even being packed up pretty good. So to be sure that I’m ready to serve my customer well I always take most critical pieces of equipment mentioned above in my carry on bag (note: it still fits in a single average sized backpack).
I’m with you Terry, I’m still not checking my camera gear and laptop. Its a pain to be sure. I try to travel with minimal gear but I fear that as I start traveling more I will have to ship my gear ahead to the destination.
Your requirement to carry on your camera gear and laptop is by choice. Others may not see the need. Conversely, someone else might value their napkin collection and want it close by them. We all value things differently. Your choice (and convenience) must be worth your money. You can’t argue you don’t have a choice because you really do. Fly with someone else if Delta starts to charge or find another means of transportation. You could even ship your cargo ahead of time if you’re that concerned. To delta you are business revenue and a sound business model is to charge what people are willing to pay. If it turns out to be a losing venture for Spirit or any other airline, they’ll change suit.
Terry.
I would love for you to come fly at Southwest Airlines, where we don’t charge for your first two bags, or for carry-on. Check up front and see if I am flying the plane. I’ll make sure you don’t pay for drinks.
Love your blog.
David
Captain, Southwest Airlines
David – you beat me to it! My family chooses SW whenever possible. There are some other pains to go through, but overall, we’re very happy flying Southwest.
Terry – I think you’re right about the bottom line… and that it’s the wrong way to approach increases in pricing. Frankly, I’d rather see one price to get from here to there, so roll it all into one and spread the pain around. I hate seeing an advertised fare, then seeing the actual cost skyrocket because of airport fees, transport taxes, reservation fees, baggage fees, snack fees, dirty socks fees, blah blah blah.
I fly Southwest every chance I get. I’ve found the fares to be extremely competitive with other airlines and I don’t have to come up with extra cash at the last second just because I’m checking a bag. I’d rather put that money towards upgrading my place in the boarding process and get my pick of seats. I’ve never dealt with a friendlier bunch of people, either. That goes a long way when you’re already stressed out from the traveling process.
Hi Terry
I concur. These fees are absurd. But I think most travelers (that don’t have camera and stuff they don’t wan’t to check in) just look at the ticket price. They don’t discover the fees before they are at the check in desk and then just pay especially if their family are ready to go on vacation. In the UK and Europe it’s crazy. One of the most successful and ‘cheap’ airlines have a ton of crazy fees. They charge you for paying with your credit card (the only way you can pay) and they charge you for checking in! How are you supposed to get on the plane if you don’t check in!? Recently they announced plans to charge passengers (and maybe staff?) for using the bathroom and reduce the number of bathrooms on the plane at the same time. All things considered I’m not so sure they are the cheapest airline. But I guess you get what you pay for.
The airlines got it all wrong! When they started charging for checked luggage passengers begin carrying everything including dirty laundry on to the plane.
I’d applaud a reversal in airline policy. Check a bag for free. Pay a fee for carry on.
@Gary has it right. Checked baggage moves more efficiently than carry-on luggage. All checked baggage fees have done is convince passengers that if they can CARRY a bag, it is a CARRY ON bag. Just got back from a Delta flight and half those people should have been charged a fee.. they held up boarding by trying to stuff a clearly over-sized bag into the overhead and then complained loudly.. we who know how to travel light don’t care, quit trying to game a system that is not really out to get you, just get you there. Traveling light is a learned skill, just like everything else. Really it is. (3 weeks in Europe, one carry-on)
But people don’t trust airlines with their checked baggage or if they are like me, don’t like waiting around baggage claim, HOPING things went well, HOPING an employee didn’t steal anything, HOPING an employee didn’t put something illegal in the bag, HOPING… United Breaks Guitars, Google it.
I will make sure to avoid that airline. We have choices. Thanks, Jeff 100k+ miles a year. BTW, Love your reviews. Easy to read and straight forward with no BS.
Thanks Jeff!
I fly SWA when possible, although I don’t care for their boarding procedure. But it’s worth it to me when you have to pay an arm and a leg just for baggage, let alone the price of tickets!
As a stockholder (though not currently in airlines) I of course want whatever business I do business with to be interested in the bottom line. Why the hell else be in business. One could easily say that I drive a semi truck and train new drivers to do the same for the bottom line and I would be the first to tell you that’s true. For if I didn’t get paid for this, I would be doing any one of a thousand other things. Let’s grow up here people!
When it comes to paying for carry on luggage, it’s really to offset two things, taxes and fuel costs. 50% of its price in taxes. Airport landing fees, fuel taxes, service charges, gate fees etc all go to the bottom line. Airlines are about the competitive business of delivering passengers to wherever they are going. In order to make the prices look competitive, many have chosen to add fees to make their price look lower. What should really be the headline is this.
Airline offers discount for the lack of carry on baggage and not the other. It’s all about perspective.
Of course Terry, you’ve found an airline that’s willing to just “eat the cost” What’s really happened is that airline is losing money. Only Soutwest airlines and the government are making a profit at this time when it comes to air travel.