DTW – @FLL 6:40 pm via J.Rubens

#plane #flight #spirit air

Senators — Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Charles Schumer of New York, Ben Cardin of Maryland, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey — want a law that would designate carryon baggage as a necessity for air travelers.

Read the full Yahoo News story Here:

This story is in response to the Spirit Airlines announcement that it plans to charge up to 45 dollars for carry on luggage. Airlines say add on luggage fees became a necessary way to recoup costs after oil prices soared to an all time  $147/barrel in 2008. Lets look at both sides of the issue. Oil prices aren’t exactly low in 2010, but we’re not anywhere near 2008 highs (thank goodness). I will say that I saw some pretty bulky carryon luggage on my flights last week. Would you rather be nickle and dimed so that your airline carrier can do what it needs to do to provide you with a safe flight? Or do you see this as more backdoor price gouging by airlines?

Good grief. While I might not condone Spirit Air’s action, why should politicians be able to interfere with their business? If Spirit is making a big mistake – which I think it is – the market will force them to reconsider. Passengers will choose other airlines, or they will check baggage, which is already subject to fees. Or they maybe they won’t even fly. But Spirit owns the asset, the plane with overhead space. Spirit should be allowed to try to make money in whatever way it deems possible. (Of course, this does not mean Spirit can or should let safety slip to save money). If Spirit thinks it can increase revenue by charging fees for overhead baggage, they should do it.

What’s next for politicians? Barring movie theaters from selling popcorn?



By Tim Boyle for Getty Images

The most recent trend in Airline absurdity comes from Spirit Airlines which has announced it will start charging up to $45 for carry-on baggage. My first reaction was disdain–I mean really, another cost associated with flying?!? But I did some research on their website, and I have to say, I changed my mind. If you don’t need more than a backpack and a personal item (purse/diaper bag etc.) you probably won’t mind either… 

Effective on any ticket(s) purchased after April 6 for travel after August 1, 2010, the new policy allows each passenger one personal item–FREE. As long as your bag fits under the seat in front of you (16 x 14 x 12”) you won’t be effected. In fact, your ticket will probably be around $40 cheaper!!!! In addition, there are allowances for personal effects such as car seats/strollers, or food for the flight. 

The next benefit? LESS WAITING TIME TO DISEMBARK THE PLANE!! According to Spirit’s CEO Ben Baldanza less baggage stored in the overhead bins would allow passengers to exit planes quicker, and more efficiently. Personally that is one of my biggest pet peeves… finally at your destination, but stuck behind someone who can’t remember which bin has their suitcase. I just want off! I am curious to see how this plays out, and whether or not it truly reduces the price of airfare.  

For full details on Spirit Air’s new policy click here.

Image by yanec via Flickr

Them’s fighting words! From today’s New York Times’ business story on airlines and baggage fees:

Ryanair, the low-cost carrier based in Ireland that is known for its rock-bottom tickets, is now considering another big step toward keeping passengers traveling light. This fall, the airline plans to eliminate checked baggage altogether at certain times of the day on selected routes.

“Bringing a big bag and expecting it to travel for free, it’s too much to ask,” said Stephen McNamara, director of communications for Ryanair. “It’s expensive to ship something heavy in an airplane when fuel prices are very high.” Mr. McNamara said the airline had as a goal nothing less than changing passenger behavior. “People are packing way too much; women bringing four pairs of shoes, hair dryers, that sort of thing.”

Right. Let’s review. You are going on vacation, maybe even your honeymoon. Or, if you’re really lucky, being flown out for a major job interview, the kind where eight people are going to decide if you make the cut over a few days or multiple interviews. Are you really going to wear the same outfit every time?

Here’s how you pack four pairs of shoes without a minute’s hesitation: sneakers/gym shoes. Evening shoes. Walking shoes. Dressy day shoes. Not everyone wants to schlump around the 16th. or Chelsea looking like a rube in white workout shoes when everyone else is shod in something slim and elegant. Nor are you going to ruin good shoes by pounding them to shreds on your run or sweating in them at the gym.

I’ve traveled the world as a courier and that means one carry-on, period. I did 3 weeks in Thailand from a carry-on, so I know how to pack lightly. But this is getting ridiculous. Depending on your needs (small kids, medical issues, sports gear), not everyone can pack their entire belongings into one tiny, light suitcase.

The whole point of a long-awaited vacation is to relax. Have fun! Two people away for three weeks, certainly in different climates (like the desert, where temperatures can vary 20 degrees every day), adds up, no matter how much laundry you are prepared to do or how many times you wear the same items. We got whacked $90 for a 2-pound excess when we returned from our Southwest holiday in January. (Thanks, Delta.)

Airline execs, figure it out. This is a stupid and short-sighted way to save money.

I’m giving my business to every single other carrier that’s not imposing these restrictions.

While they still exist.

Photo from Aerogal

After my latest trip to Europe, I swore off flying yet another domestic airline: United. (I’m running out of U.S. airlines that haven’t destroyed a vacation or two.)  Lost baggage, canceled flights, and downright unfriendly service are just a few reasons why flying domestic makes me appreciate international carriers a little bit more. I’m always on the prowl for alternatives, and when I found two South American carriers offering new routes to the U.S., I did a little happy dance.

Ecuador-based AeroGal Airlines has rolled out daily nonstop flights between New York City and Guayaquil, with introductory fares starting from $548 round-trip – with taxes included (not too shabby). Onboard, flight attendants serve traditional Ecuadorian dishes (think empanadas). In addition, the airline also offers service to Miami.

Colombia based Aires will be flying to the U.S. for the first time between Fort Lauderdale and Bogota, and has plans to add more routes in the near future. After a quick sample search, I was able to track down fares for around $220 round-trip – adding serious competition to Spirit Air, which also offers this route for dirt-cheap.  However, Spirit Air is like flying a school bus with wings – with service that matches the miserable attitude of your fifth grade bus driver. Speaking of grade school, in order to book tickets online, you’ll need to think back to Intro to Spanish. Both airlines’ websites have yet to offer English options.

Todo bien, excepto que el vuelo de la otra aerolínea resulta ser el 1549 de US Air.

El avión se cae, todo el mundo sale vivo. Final felíz, ¿no? Agárrense…

http://www.fox61.com/pages/landing_news/?Spirit-Airlines-Tries-To-Collect-Cancell=1&blockID=189253&feedID=341

Good Guys: AirTran, Alaska, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Midwest, and Virgin America

Bad Guys: American, Continental, Hawaiian, Midwest, Northwest, Spirit, United, and US Airways

Continental Airlines has now jumped ship along with Hawaiian adding fees and Midwest Airlines charging for the first bag. Here’s the new list:

Good Guys: AirTran, Alaska, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Midwest, and Virgin America

Bad Guys: American, Continental, Hawaiian, Midwest, Northwest, Spirit, United, and US Airways

BOTTOM LINE: Support Delta (or one of the smaller guys) now or expect Delta to fold to competitive pressure and for all of us to pay later.

So what can we do to help stem even more fees coming our way in the future? One simple idea: support those airlines whose “First Bag Free” baggage policies are more customer-friendly than their blockhead competitors and their caveman approach to passing on fees. (Hey airlines, check out Amazon Prime as a way to get people to prepay their future shipping costs.)

As it relates to bag fees, you should know that US airlines are really now divided into two camps: the “Good Guys” and the “Bad Guys” based upon their checked baggage fee policies. The Good Guys don’t charge you to check your first bag while the Bad Guys soak you to the tune of up to $80 round-trip for the pleasure of carrying your luggage.

Good Guys: AirTran, Alaska, Continental, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Midwest, and Virgin America

Bad Guys: American, Northwest, Spirit, United, and US Airways

Having been an airline bean counter myself, I promise you that the Good Guys are waiting to see if they can gain market share by not charging passengers as much as the Bad Guys.

Therefore, support the Good Guys now because if you don’t, they’ll just jump on the Bad Guy bandwagon later and we’ll all be paying more to send our socks to St. Louis.