REVENUE CATCHING IDEAS

[FlightChic]

Here is a real idea. How about actually USING some sort of sizing box to make sure luggage fits in it before going on the plane. I'm not saying wait until the last minute as the boarding pass is being scanned to check it. Make passengers aware from the point of check in to boarding that the bag MUST fit these guidelines or its a no go. It would make boarding MUCH easier. For those passengers that currently try to get around the bag fee by checking it on the jetway should be charged. If they can't pay they don't go. BS! ! ! Not to mention I see peoples steamer trunks they roll through the airports. It IS people lifting that crap under the wing. I don't know how you guys/gals do it.

I was thinking the exact same thing today! We need that damm sizing box because now people are carrying on big arse suitcases that are not meant for an OHB and when I tell them that it is too big that they must gate check it they cock an attitude. Fine, you and your bag can wait until the next flight because neither one of you will be on my flight! Why agents are letting them on with those huge suitcases is beyond me. I guess they don't care or don't notice it, but I sure do. When I flew Luftansa they had a box and even though I was nonreving and they knew this and they saw that I had crew tags, crew ID, was a nonrev in the computer they still made me put my Travelpro in the box and it didn't fit so guess what, they made me check my bag. Yes it would have fit in the overhead bin but it didn't fit in the box so I didn't get to keep my crew bag with me. We need to do the same thing and enforce it. Hell, if I had a basket I would carry it around and do my own luggage box test.

It's going to get ugly because when I see those big suitcases they won't be getting past me onto the airplane. The OHBs aren't designed for such large bags and it's not fair for the other pax who are following the rules. I don't care if there are 50 open seats, that bag isn't coming on my airplane!

 

[N903AW]

Oh yeah your so right. I remember it was a template. In LAX they would lift it for the crew bags to get through. Wow I forgot about that. I'm curious though if an airline can implement their OWN size requirement regardless of bin size.

You may also want to remember that it was Continental Airlines that was responsible for having these templates removed. Their excuse was that the templates were anti-competitive because their planes had recently been refitted with larger overhead bins and they could accomodate larger carryon bags.

I actually liked the idea of the templates at security, but would not be surprised for an airline, whether it be Continental or someone else, to axe the idea if it were implemented again.

 

[Chicken or Beef??]

You may also want to remember that it was Continental Airlines that was responsible for having these templates removed. Their excuse was that the templates were anti-competitive because their planes had recently been refitted with larger overhead bins and they could accomodate larger carryon bags.

I actually liked the idea of the templates at security, but would not be surprised for an airline, whether it be Continental or someone else, to axe the idea if it were implemented again.

Actually, now that checking bags increases revenue, I would think it would much more popular with the carriers.

I'm thinking that maybe flight attendants can be issued some claim checks we sell for $15-$25 fee. We can turn in the money with our liquor/ headset/ bob/ duty free money.

 

[SolidCactus]

Actually, now that checking bags increases revenue, I would think it would much more popular with the carriers.

I'm thinking that maybe flight attendants can be issued some claim checks we sell for the $15-$25 fee. We can turn in the money with our liquor/ headset/ bob/ duty free money.

This is one area where Southwest shines. I dont know if you guys ever have travelled on them as a passenger, but the gate agents at WN are like carry on nazi's. You wont even get past the podium with a bag that is potentially too large. I've seen them kick people out of line. They train their customers not to even try to bring on big bags. I think US needs to do the same thing. Become more proactive and stop people from boarding before they get on the plane... All too often you see the jack@ss with the big bag at seat 12 A who cant get it in the bin, and then everyone has to stop everything and trample one another to get the damn bag off.

I was on a flight 2 weeks ago that had a gate change. The gate agent wasnt even looking at the boarding passes as she collected them. There ended up being 10 people who were "double booked"... SUPRISE! they weren't double booked, they boarded the wrong flight. These 10 people had to deplane, with all their carryons.

I think a lot can be stopped at the gate... They just need to pay attention, and also not be afraid to pull the bags, BEFORE they let the customers on the plane.

 

[N965VJ]

I get told on a regular basis on KL CityHopper to check my carry-on bag (F-100). Funny thing is, I still get a snack for free.

What kind of deals are the Europeans getting on fuel?

 

[ggiby]

Some of you had mentioned selling blankets. The current blankets we have are so thin and never cover the whole body. How about a nice fleece one - similar to the one Mastercard gives out to the customers who sign up for the credit card ? If it is nice enough, people will use it OFF the airplane. Consider it free advertising.

Everyone was dissapointed that we never got our glassware back on the East. How about SELLING glassware? "Sir, for 3 dollars more you can drink your beer in this lovely pilsner glass." It would have our logo on it and have a nice cardboard box ala Hard Rock Cafe. Maybe have limited edition glasses too, with co sponsors. Say Coke on one side, Usairways on the other.

U crack me up

 

[Chicken or Beef??]

Is it too late to return those Envoy seats from the 767? I'm sure I have the reciept here somwhere..........

 

[signals]

Flight Chic they wouldn't get rid of the inflight magazine. You actually answered why, all that advertisement brings in alot of revenue for the company.

My location must be the dumping ground for those useless magazines. Still wrapped, each month, TONS of those magazines are discarded and carted to the recycling center. I can't see how they bring in revenue unless they target those who fall prey to telemarketers.

 

[Travelpro72]

Well hey with all the downsizing going at the LAS hub there won't soon be a need for all that Vegas advertising right? Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Usairways jokazine has got to go! ! ! ! Why all the advertising for one of the LEAST revenue generating cities? Hmmmmm 🙄 wackos.

 

[SolidCactus]

Well hey with all the downsizing going at the LAS hub there won't soon be a need for all that Vegas advertising right? Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Usairways jokazine has got to go! ! ! ! Why all the advertising for one of the LEAST revenue generating cities? Hmmmmm 🙄 wackos.

I haven't ever asked for a rate card on the US Airways magazine, but I can tell you for sure that ad rates are determined by "subscribers" or potential "exposure". Just to give you a very basic idea, my company advertises in a magazine that has a subscriber base of 100,000 per month and a full page ad runs for $10,000. Think about how many passengers per month have exposure to that magazine. I mean, rates are based on other variables too, like quality of the reader, how targeted they are, etc... But I wouldn't be suprised if some of those casino's drop $50 - $100 K for an ad. In any case, I can guarantee that magazine is paid for ten times over at a minimum...

ALTHOUGH, I totally see where you're coming from...

 

[signals]

No one is saying that the magazines aren't great for advertising purposes. Heck I know towns and cities that make a big deal when they are in the US Airways magazine. They claim that it does increase tourism and revenue.

Most of that magazine is empty calories, though. That means a weight factor, which some will say I don't know what I'm talking about since I don't know the lingo 😛h34r: 🙄 ! I'll bet that on even the smallest US express prop plane there are about 100 lbs. extra from the magazines! If anything, why not put them in the airports at the gates? ...the airports(in my case) end up discarding/recycling them anyway!

 

[SolidCactus]

No one is saying that the magazines aren't great for advertising purposes. Heck I know towns and cities that make a big deal when they are in the US Airways magazine. They claim that it does increase tourism and revenue.

Most of that magazine is empty calories, though. That means a weight factor, which some will say I don't know what I'm talking about since I don't know the lingo 😛h34r: 🙄 ! I'll bet that on even the smallest US express prop plane there are about 100 lbs. extra from the magazines! If anything, why not put them in the airports at the gates? ...the airports(in my case) end up discarding/recycling them anyway!

You're probably right. I can tell with pretty great certainty say that there are probably 100 lbs of magazines on each plane, but if they weren't on the plane, they'd lose their advertising value. nobody would pay to advertise in a magazine that is kept at the gate. the value comes from knowing that someone sits in a seat for 2-6 hours and eventually their boredom will make them succumb and finally read the ads...

it would take a real bean counter though to do the calculations, and who knows, maybe that extra weight does mean the magazine isn't profitable if you put fuel consumption into the mix?

 

[Travelpro72]

What kills me is that before this merger there was very little advertising in the Attaché' magazine that pertained to Las Vegas. If it's not Las Vegas then it's Phoenix. Usairways has EVERY bit of say as to what goes into that magazine. With that being said there are many other destinations to advertise. It just kills me that US claims Las Vegas is so unprofitable and low yield yet they push it to the max. It just doesn't make sense. Anyway I think leaving the magazine behind is a great idea. Put them in magazine racks by the podium or something like they do he "Destinations" magazine. People would take them as they take EVERYTHING. 😉

 

[flybynite]

In this month's issue they have a 60 page article on Charlotte. I liked it.

It was very well written and show cased a lot of the businesses, neighborhoods, fun stuff and opportunities in the Charlotte area.

It was nice to see something other than the desert in there.

 

[JS]

I've thought about it actually. 🙂

My suggestion would be if a bag is checked at the gate, the gate agent goes back, looks up the customer record and just wacks the card $25. Put it in the contract of carriage, and be done with it. Visa/MC would side for the airline, not the pax. People are abusive and will ABUSE any policy they can get away with.

Awful idea. The passenger will dispute the charge and win. You can't charge someone without verbal or written authorization.