More Bag Fee - Or what management calls "ancillary revenue stream"

[CLT-Douglas]

If anyone is an idiot, it's the airlines that started initiating these fees and rules that forces passengers to consolidate lighter bags for one large heavy bag with no regard for the safety of it's employees as a result.

If the rule was buy one bag fee get one free when traveling with family members on bags 30LBS or lighter, people would be less inclined to share bag in order to save money. The bags would be lighter, and might even result in less carry on luggage and security delays. However, the major airlines are too greedy and lazy to develop a good solution to satisfy passengers and employees in regards to fees.

 

[Hope777]

I think you were a little rough on CLT Douglas. I may be mistaken, but I didn't view the "tip" as saying that injuring fleet service workers by overloading suitcases is a good thing. Rather, I saw it as pointing out the relative absurdity of charging more for two lightweight bags than for one bag that's within the weight limit. Loading two lightweight bags should take no more time (maybe even less time) than struggling with one heavyweight bag. If all suitcases were a lightweight 20-25 pounds, you might even be able to load and unload a plane with fewer people.

I have long argued that airlines should figure out how to charge for the weight of passengers and their bags (checked and carryons).

There should be a base charge for the seat space and then a charge per pound. That way, 105 pound heroin-addicted-stick-thin models would pay a lot less than 305 pound fatasses. As it ought to be, given that the fatso causes the plane to burn a lot more fuel than the waif. People who bring one reasonably-sized and weight carryon would pay a lot less than someone who brings several 50 pound bags. And someone bringing two 25 pound checked bags shouldn't pay much more than someone bringing one 50 pounder.

Now that airlines are generally charging per checked bag, we're partway there. Still, there's no incentive to pack light (other than the extra fees for over-50 pounds). Perhaps a flat $5 per checked bag (recognizing that each bag does take some time and energy to handle) plus $1 per pound would get the message thru to people to pack lighter. And if it doesn't, then increase the per pound fees.

Would be a great idea however it's just not possible because of the weight and Balance issues of the Aircraft.
The FAA would NEVER agree to anyhting close to this.

 

[Travelpro72]

I may not agree with many of the fees but this one I agree with 1000%. Those on the ramp loading those bags are not machines but human beings. Even BEFORE we had bag fees for the first checked bags the bins were full and people carried on bags of bricks. F/a's aren't lifting them into the bin and ramp guys/gals shouldn't be expected to either.

 

[Harry Callahan]

I may not agree with many of the fees but this one I agree with 1000%. Those on the ramp loading those bags are not machines but human beings. Even BEFORE we had bag fees for the first checked bags the bins were full and people carried on bags of bricks. F/a's aren't lifting them into the bin and ramp guys/gals shouldn't be expected to either.

Thank you very much.

 

[Jester]

I may not agree with many of the fees but this one I agree with 1000%. Those on the ramp loading those bags are not machines but human beings. Even BEFORE we had bag fees for the first checked bags the bins were full and people carried on bags of bricks. F/a's aren't lifting them into the bin and ramp guys/gals shouldn't be expected to either.

I always keep the "floor models" by the bin door, even if I need to place them temporarily on the other side of me while I am tossing the bags. Thankfully, there are rarely more than a dozen on a given flight usually, so it isn't a big deal. If the team leads are thinking, they leave the heavy bags on the cart, and load them last so they are closest to the bin door. Easier for the down line station to unload, as well. Something to do with working smarter, not harder.

So Recommends Jester.

 

[Hope777]

I always keep the "floor models" by the bin door, even if I need to place them temporarily on the other side of me while I am tossing the bags. Thankfully, there are rarely more than a dozen on a given flight usually, so it isn't a big deal. If the team leads are thinking, they leave the heavy bags on the cart, and load them last so they are closest to the bin door. Easier for the down line station to unload, as well. Something to do with working smarter, not harder.

So Recommends Jester.

Jester I do agree, However in the FSA Group, All that matters is themselves. If it doesnt effect me, who cares. And that Sir, is why OUR IAM GROUP lacks solidarity.

 

[Glucose Intolerant]

I may not agree with many of the fees but this one I agree with 1000%. Those on the ramp loading those bags are not machines but human beings. Even BEFORE we had bag fees for the first checked bags the bins were full and people carried on bags of bricks. F/a's aren't lifting them into the bin and ramp guys/gals shouldn't be expected to either.

Non-Rev Checked Bags Notice February 14, 2011

US Airways recently increased bag fees for revenue customers traveling with oversize and overweight bags. Effective May 4, employees and eligible travel dependents will still be able to check their first and second bags free of charge when non-revving. However, if these bags exceed 50 pounds and/or are oversized, the employee and eligible travel dependents will be charged $90 per bag.



....no where to go - but badly

 

[SparrowHawk]

Non-Rev Checked Bags Notice February 14, 2011

US Airways recently increased bag fees for revenue customers traveling with oversize and overweight bags. Effective May 4, employees and eligible travel dependents will still be able to check their first and second bags free of charge when non-revving. However, if these bags exceed 50 pounds and/or are oversized, the employee and eligible travel dependents will be charged $90 per bag.



....no where to go - but badly

I don't even know where to begin.

Let's see now:

We have a work force that is the lowest paid of the majors.
An airline with more fees than Jesus had hairs in his beard.
Now they want the lowest paid workforce to in effect "Give Back" a portion of their meager paychecks for bag fees?
And somehow in some spreadsheet jockey's head this is fair and equitable?

I've begun to wonder if I really am a Dinosaur. Today I got another unsolicited letter addressed to my boss commending me for my customer service skills. I mention this because as a Sales Rep I really kinda fleeced (in my mind) this guy and he thinks because I always return his calls in under a half hour I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread. I took the dude to the f'ing cleaners and he loves me. There is a lesson in this for US. Alas they'll never figure it out because they can never look up from the freaking spreadsheet long enough to see where the real money is. Dumb B*stards

 

[FWAAA]

So the lesson is for non-revs to bring normal sized bags (not oversized bags) and to pack them with less than 50 pounds each or pay the oversize/overwight bag fees. If you're a nonrev with money to burn, then by all means - violate the easy-to-follow rules and pay thru the nose.