AA to charge for most* checked bags

[FWAAA]

The recent change by American to start charging for checked luggage has got to be one of the biggest blunders and bonehead moves since Coke changed to New Coke. The stock is already off 20%.

I disagree. And at this moment, AMR is off almost 21% and UAUA is off more than 20% as well.

I don't care if other airlines follow suit. AA needs to jettison its least profitable and costliest travelers, and this may be a good way to do it.

Edit: 2 minutes later, UAUA is off over 23% and AMR is still off 21%; I expect further stock price carnage to hit all legacies today in coming days.

Further edit: one minute later, UAUA is off 25%.

 

[RDU Jetblast]

This will only make people reconsider other modes of transportation. Businesses (and leisure travellers) will rely heavier on video conferencing. All I see this doing is pissing of aready pissed off passengers.

 

[The Goose]

I knew it was just a matter of time before they came right out and said "workforce reductions". The only speculation left right now is how much of a reduction. If they are planning up to 12% capacity reduction, that could easily equate to a 20-25% reduction in employees as well.

AA was never concerned with contract negotiations - this Ace has been up Arpey's sleeve for some time.

Now it's apparent - the TWU will bargain to keep the dues flow.

 

[FWAAA]

I knew it was just a matter of time before they came right out and said "workforce reductions". The only speculation left right now is how much of a reduction. If they are planning up to 12% capacity reduction, that could easily equate to a 20-25% reduction in employees as well.

AA was never concerned with contract negotiations - this Ace has been up Arpey's sleeve for some time.

Interesting - a conspiracy theory I can agree with.

Didn't AA say it needed agreement with the TWU by May 16? TWU tells AA to shove its paltry offer, and within a few days, AA drops this bombshell.

The Worthless Union will no doubt accept anything now.

And the TWU has the gall to charge its members two hours of pay per month for this?

 

[jimntx]

This will only make people reconsider other modes of transportation. Businesses (and leisure travellers) will rely heavier on video conferencing. All I see this doing is pissing of aready pissed off passengers.

Depends upon which people you are talking about. Yes, business people will do more teleconferencing, but they have been increasing usage of such technology for several years now. Leisure travelers, I'm not so sure. I saw a figure the other day that suggests that with today's gas prices it costs over $500 to drive from New York to Florida--gas, hotels, meals, etc. Travel by air would have to get a LOT more expensive before driving to Florida on vacation would be the preferred route. Unless, of course, you are talking about a family of 8, but then they don't have time to go on vacation anyway.

 

[FrequentFlierCA]

If you look at the details this fee increase is about a lot more than just checking the first bag. That's just the attention-grabbing headline. Go deeper and you'll see that they've matched United's $150 change fee for domestic and doubled their international change fees. That is far more significant in my opinion.

Like many on this board correctly say, the cost of airfare has to reflect - at a minimum - the input costs involved. I don't like paying higher airfare and fees more than anyone else, but if I'm paying $4/gallon for my car it makes sense to pay $500 to fly LAX-JFK instead of $300 (or less).

 

[RDU Jetblast]

Two tickets on AA from rdu-lga-rdu:$708
Two tickets on Amtrak from rdu-nyc-rdu:$277 and the train let's you off in midtown. Not to be too inflammatory but choo choo train maintenance isn't outsourced!

It's a leisure trip for me. It is hard to ignore the difference. Video conferencing with family doesn't cost a thing. Next best thing to being there and you get to sleep in your own bed.

 

[Joe Patroni]

Now it's apparent - the TWU will bargain to keep the dues flow.

What made you think think this wasn't the negotiation strategy in the first place?

 

[BigBangTheory]

I don't need to be met at the downline gate by an MOD or supervisor asking why we were charged with a delay.

When it happens, tell the MOD or FSM to charge FURP aka Arpey, with it!

 

[ReadyNow]

Here are some other ideas for AMR to make some more money:

Reduce F/A pay but let them accept tips
Charge passengers a surcharge for every pound they weigh over the 170lb standard weight
Charge passengers a paper surcharge when they print out a boarding pass at the airport instead of using there home printer
Charge passengers to use the bathrooms on the planes
Charge a jet way service fee - otherwise they can walk down the stairs like old school
Charge passengers $5 to talk to a ticket agent and $10 to talk to a gate agent and $25 if they use the word "upgrade"
Charge $5 for a seat reclining fee - otherwise the seat stays locked in vertical.
Charge $5 for using the tray table and seat pocket
Make the reservation numbers - 1-900 numbers and charge by the minute
Charge PAX $15 to sit in the departure lounge other wise you have to stand in the concourse
Charge PAX $5 if you want to turn on your reading lamp
Charge $15 to carry on 1 bag ($5 rebate if they carry on no bags)

There is plenty more nickels and dimes to squeeze from the flying public!

 

[NewHampshire Black Bears]

The "GREAT ONE"...(uncle Bobby CRANDALL) has said it for a long,long time, that the airlines need to charge MORE for the Service they provide(meaning "transporting" a person from point A..to point B, in a very short Time.

Except for (unfortunate lay-offs), this whole BOLD AA style move, (baggage and all) is the BEST thing that could have happened, for AA's long term !!!!!!!!!!!

Desperate times(think $135 bbl. oil and CLIMBING) beget..desperate measures.

 

[Itestwell]

I love it... more nickel and diming than USAir.... this should take us off of the radar for awhile....

Sorry to those who lose their jobs..... This industry is so unforgiving.....

 

[Itestwell]

As a F/A, should I just slit my wrists now, or wait? You are all correct. They are going to try to bring everything on. Because they think that if it won't fit, we will gate check it and it will be on the jetbridge for them at their destination.

We issue regular bag checks on the jetbridge. I'm guessing the charge will still apply whether checked curbside or on the jetbridge.

Actually, we have had the second bag for $25 for a few weeks now, and no noticeable carryon issues. Of course, we don't yet charge for the first bag..... :blink:

 

[phlus2]

As a F/A, should I just slit my wrists now, or wait? You are all correct. They are going to try to bring everything on. Because they think that if it won't fit, we will gate check it and it will be on the jetbridge for them at their destination.

We issue regular bag checks on the jetbridge. I'm guessing the charge will still apply whether checked curbside or on the jetbridge.

So when you check my bag on the jetbridge - and I have no cash on me - how in the world are you going to process my credit card? Good luck!

Seems you may have identified a way around the system - bring your bag on board - and if there isn't any room just check it at the plane. Talk about late flights!

 

[ClueByFour]

So when you check my bag on the jetbridge - and I have no cash on me - how in the world are you going to process my credit card? Good luck!

Seems you may have identified a way around the system - bring your bag on board - and if there isn't any room just check it at the plane. Talk about late flights!

Exactly. I looked--my few flights on AA last year (domestic) averaged about $450 one way. No transcons. And I won't step foot on AA on a $900 R/T midcon and then pay to check a bag. Not a chance.

I would, however, drag two onboard without cash and make them gate check one.

This is stupid. While I agree with FWAAA about ditching the non-profitable customers, this is not the way to do it.