Airline charges new or increasing

[TravelGal]

I decided to give this a very generic title so it could be used for a variety of items, rather than the specific "AA" thread from before.

"United has just announced it will begin charging $15 for the first checked bag starting August 18 with tickets purchased after June 13. The fee applies only to economy class tickets and to customers who don't have elite status in their frequent flyer program. No word as yet on how they will collect the fee."

I am surprised they did not wait to see how it worked with AA, extra congestion at airports, etc. I'm guessing AA put some pressure on their buddies at UA to get them to jump on the bandwagon. This way consumers have fewer travel options.

As an aside, when I cancelled the AA credit card I have had for 21 years, I said the main reason was the high rate but the other reason was the AA policy of charging for the first bag. The "retention specialist" I was speaking to said A LOT of people were cancelling for that reason. So the protest is noticed but it's noticed by the bank, not AA.

[KLang]

What is the real point of the fee? Discouraging checked backage or more revenue?

If it is revenue then just charge me what you need to charge me. :irked:

[cameraman]

I'd guess both.

[Ankf00]

revenue by way of fitting more cargo on-board

[cameraman]

or saving fuel by hauling less weight.
or saving money by sorting less baggage
or by having less baggage to lose:rolleyes:

[Sean Malone]

All the more reason to bring back the rigid airship.

Srsly.

[SteveH]

Last week I flew on AA. The couple checking bags in front of me had 4 very large suitcases. Each over 50 lbs. They nearly crapped when told how much extra they would have to pay. Interesting, they were on their return flight. Never was charged a penny on the AA flight that they arrived on. The counter agent didn't give a crap about that.

ka-ching!

And if more people begin carrying on more luggage, I hope the airline enforce the size restrictions. Placing suitcases the size of a hay bale in an overhead is just ridiculous.

[cameraman]

All the more reason to bring back the rigid airship.

Srsly.

The crews of the Shenandoah, Akron & Macon might beg to differ.

[ChampcarShark]

Southwest is not charging additional fees. Then again their coverage is kind of limited.

[Sean Malone]

The crews of the Shenandoah, Akron & Macon might beg to differ.

Probably, although with the accumulative death toll of 94 souls, even including the 35 lost souls of the Hindenburg for a total of 129 still is less than most jumbo jet disasters.

Considering the technology available at the time of the rigid airship vs today, even a safe hydrogen airship is feasible I imagine.

There are actually a hand full of companies trying to get airship usage off the ground (for more than just flying over football games) but I suspect most are just fronts to see how much sponsorship money they can raise and then bail after a failed prototype.

http://www.aerosml.com/main.htm

[indyfan31]

or saving fuel by hauling less weight.
or saving money by sorting less baggage
or by having less baggage to lose:rolleyes:

I'll bet the baggage handlers won't like it .... there's less stuff to steal. :irked:

[cameraman]

Those three airships were spiked into the ground like footballs by microbursts.
That is why you don't see big rigid airships anymore, every thunderstorm and even many cold fronts have the capability to swat them out of the sky. They are not something you would want to use to cruise about the central portion of this nation.

[TravelGal]

Just to continue the hijack on a fairly timely topic. From the E-News of this past Monday.

"More than 70 years after the infamous Hindenburg disaster, Germany is once again building airships. Last month the latest airship, the Zeppelin NT left its hanger for its maiden test flight. The airship was built with endowment money left by the German airship pioneer Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin. The airship will undertake further test flights this year before flying to London where it will be used to offer joyrides over the city for $300 a flight. Then it will cross the Atlantic to San Francisco where it will offer more tourist flights. There is a sister airship already operating these flights in Japan."

[Ankf00]

Considering the technology available at the time of the rigid airship vs today, even a safe hydrogen airship is feasible I imagine.

if you want to sit on a 20 hour flight from NYC to LA, you go for it.

[Gnam]

Some articles say United expects the 'First Bag' fee to only hit 1 in 3 customers, which could mute the outrage and encourage more fees.

Let's play What'll they charge for next?
1. Lost bag fee. Results not guaranteed....................... $15
2. Check-in line fee. These rope lines ain't free pal...........$2
3. Security fee. You wanna be safe don't you?............$9.11

:p

[Sean Malone]

if you want to sit on a 20 hour flight from NYC to LA, you go for it.

As long as they gots licker, and not dem stoopid little bottles that the aeroplanes have! And they only will sell me TWO!!!

Plus you could have a cabin and a dinning room etc. Where's the romance in this world?!?!?!?


Bring on the trains I sez! I got blitz on a trian headin' to NO when I waz 22. No lie. Took 24 hours and had a BLAST!!! and only costed me about $80.

[RusH]

Rumor has it, developed countries now have high speed rail.

[WickerBill]

I am nothing much to United, as I've only flown once on them (to Singapore, though). Got an email this morning:


Dear Mr. Wicker Bill,

We want you to be among the first to know about changes to our checked baggage policy and revised fees for excess, oversized and overweight baggage and special items.

Today, we are announcing that for tickets issued on or after June 13, 2008 for travel on or after August 18, 2008, a $15 service fee will apply to check one bag for United Economy® travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada. As previously announced, a $25 service fee will apply to check a second bag.

As a valued Premier® member of Mileage Plus®, you will continue to be exempt from both first and second checked bag fees.

It is our pleasure to inform you that you and any companions traveling with you on the same reservation can each still check two bags free of charge, up to 50 pounds (23 kg) per piece. As always, you can skip check-in lines at the airport by using EasyCheck-in OnlineSM, even when checking bags.

We would like to remind you that additional baggage fees apply to check more than two bags, or if any bags are oversized, overweight and/or considered special items. These fees are also changing and the revised fees will apply to tickets purchased on or after June 13, 2008 for travel on or after August 18, 2008. Please visit the Oversized, overweight and excess baggage and Special items sections on united.com for details on these fees.

Also, if you are traveling in United First® or United Business®, you are invited to be among the first to board your flight so you can find ample space for your carry-on bags, by using specially-designated Premium Boarding lanes marked with a red carpet. Or choose to board at your leisure, knowing that you'll have front-of-the-line access at any time. Premium Boarding is now available at nearly 60 airports system-wide. If you are traveling in United Economy®, you may still enjoy priority boarding early during the boarding process with Seating Area 1.

For details on our baggage policies and frequently asked questions, you are invited to visit united.com/baggage.

As always, we thank you for your business and look forward to welcoming you onboard soon.

You notice how it is their "pleasure to inform" me how fortunate I am? Geez.

[dando]

I am nothing much to United, as I've only flown once on them (to Singapore, though). Got an email this morning:


You notice how it is their "pleasure to inform" me how fortunate I am? Geez.

I received a similar e-mail, but stating that I get charged...despite having ~20K miles with them (most of them from my trip to India last summer). :irked:

-Kevin

[devilmaster]

Bring on the trains I sez! I got blitz on a trian headin' to NO when I waz 22. No lie. Took 24 hours and had a BLAST!!! and only costed me about $80.

For a moment I thought i was reading a drunk post by spicoli. had to double check the name... ;) :runs:

[TravelGal]

Thanks, WB for posting that. I'm glad to have all the facts and not just the executive summary. :D

[WickerBill]

If any of you are ever on a United flight with me, I'll check your bags on as mine... for only $7.50.*


* I'm kidding, I know, I must only check bags that I packed myself and have never left my sight and undercutting the airlines new profit center is morally ambiguous.

[Andrew Longman]

Take the train

[stroker]

I don't fly much... only twice since 9/11. I ship my bags UPS. All I want is to get through the damn line with my paperback novel and try to sleep as much as I can with my goddamn knees shoved up my nostrils....

[Indy]

If any of you are ever on a United flight with me, I'll check your bags on as mine... for only $7.50.*


* I'm kidding, I know, I must only check bags that I packed myself and have never left my sight and undercutting the airlines new profit center is morally ambiguous.

Very good point.

[eiregosod]

[light hearted interjection]

spend your newfound welfare check at the bunny ranch, and they'll pay for your AA flight luggage costs, in case you feel you got screwed at 30,000 feet :D

http://www.cnbc.com/id/25120815

[/back to regular scheduled discussnins]

[TravelGal]

ARTA E-News 6 13 08:

"United matched American's $15 charge but US Airways trumped that by adding the same charge for the first bag and announcing they would be charging for beverages in the economy cabin. In a press release US Airways said it was changing the way they do business by going to a 'pay-for-what-you-use' model for items like baggage and beverages. Beginning in August You will be charged $2 for all non-alcoholic beverages, including sodas, juices, bottled water and coffee) and $7 for alcoholic beverages (up from $5). There will be no charge on shuttle flights or in first class or Envoy class.

Booking through a call centre or airport ticket counter will now cost $25 for domestic tickets and $35 for international tickets."

Hey hey, travel agents are starting to look like good value!

[Insomniac]

These baggage rules basically target regular people traveling for vacations and what not. Business travelers usually don't have that much luggage and have tons of miles. Seems like this would just discourage people (maybe what they want).

Now they want to charge for everything as if they didn't charge for it in the first place. And with the security requirements, you can't even bring your own food/drinks. $2 for a can of soda, and exact change please.

Service is crappy. Delays/cancellations are beyond commonplace. It's getting more and more expensive and less and less convenient. Too bad our railroad infrastructure is complete crap.

[TravelGal]

T Too bad our railroad infrastructure is complete crap.

AHA! Also from today's E-News. Hope springs eternal on AMTRAK, geez, I'm hijacking my own thread.

"The House has passed an Amtrak funding bill of $14.9 billion to fund the rail company for five more years (actually the previous funding authorization was in 2002) Some of the money will go toward a grant program where the government matches state's investment in the expansion or establishment of rail service. The bill includes a provision for the DOT to request proposals from private companies to create a high-speed rail service between Washington and New York. The House and Senate must now work out the differences between their bills."

[Ankf00]

The bill includes a provision for the DOT to request proposals from private companies to create a high-speed rail service between Washington and New York.

Don't we already have that w/ Acela?

how about high speed to chicago? or between SF & socal?

[Stu]

15 billion to fund amtrak for the next 5 years? are they really that pathetic that with the rapid increase in prices from their competition that they cannot become self sufficient?

amtrak should die and private companies need to develop a real rail system in the US.

[eiregosod]

ARTA E-News 6 13 08:

"United matched American's $15 charge but US Airways trumped that by adding the same charge for the first bag and announcing they would be charging for beverages in the economy cabin. In a press release US Airways said it was changing the way they do business by going to a 'pay-for-what-you-use' model for items like baggage and beverages. Beginning in August You will be charged $2 for all non-alcoholic beverages, including sodas, juices, bottled water and coffee) and $7 for alcoholic beverages (up from $5). There will be no charge on shuttle flights or in first class or Envoy class.

Booking through a call centre or airport ticket counter will now cost $25 for domestic tickets and $35 for international tickets."

Hey hey, travel agents are starting to look like good value!

meh, Aer lingus did this 6 years ago. They found a way to cut back on their services.

3 weeks agao, I was waiting to check in, the check-in lady just got up and left leaving the queue to stand still.. Took 5 mins for her replacement to arrive :shakehead grate management right there.

[cameraman]

amtrak should die and private companies need to develop a real rail system in the US.

There is nothing stopping a private company from building a high speed passenger rail line right now. Except the financial suicide part:rolleyes:

[Andrew Longman]

Don't we already have that w/ Acela?

how about high speed to chicago? or between SF & socal?

The four track mainline from NY to DC is shared with NJ Transit, Septa and MARC providing local commuter service. And the 1933 overhead wire design limits speeds to well below the possible limit.

The proposal as I understand it is to add two more parallel lines dedicated to high speed rail that could get the NY to DC time down to 2 hours.

Keep in mind these trains are pretty packed. Not just on the NE corridor. Try to get a seat on almost any Amtrak train this summer.

There is huge more demand than there is capacity.

The problem is two fold

1) even if they ordered more train sets today and undertook the infrastructure development they need it will be ages before they are in place

2) our rail system is designed to move freight, not people. Any system has to pick one over the other to operate efficiently. In Europe the emphasis is on moving people, but their roads are choked with trucks. We really need a second separate rail system.

That system also doesn't necessarily need to adopt the notion that you can get on any train and get pretty much anywhere you want in an integrated system. Rather, rule of thumb is any travel less than 500 miles can be best done by train. That means creating high speed cooridors between natural transit routes.

There was a time when there were more than 40 trains a day between NY and Chi.and the best did it in 16 hours behind a steam engine. Today I think there is one and the schedule is closer to 20, which it never makes. We could do much better

[cameraman]

Delta offered voluntary severance payouts to more than half its work force, with a goal to cut 2,000 workers.

Over 4000 said yes to the offer and Delta is going to let all 4000+ go.

And no more free drinks on US Airways, that glass of Coke is now $2.

[Ankf00]

good thing i'm not flynig anywhere for a while.

[TravelGal]

good thing i'm not flynig anywhere for a while.

Good plan. Certainly not on British Airways.

For flights less than 9 hours. From the US (including Bermuda) this [increase on June 19] will result in a fuel surcharge of $191 one-way ($382 round-trip)
- From Canada, this will result in a fuel surcharge of $202 one-way ($404 round-trip)

For flights more than 9 hours.
- From the US (including Bermuda) this will result in a fuel surcharge of $261 one-way ($522 round-trip)
- From Canada, this will result in a fuel surcharge of $273 one-way ($546 round-trip)

Note that this is for coach. For the First Class and Club World, it is much less. Apparently it costs less to transport a first class person. (!!!!!). And those are just the fuel surcharges, which are not the total of the taxes and fees.

[Insomniac]

Good plan. Certainly not on British Airways.

For flights less than 9 hours. From the US (including Bermuda) this [increase on June 19] will result in a fuel surcharge of $191 one-way ($382 round-trip)
- From Canada, this will result in a fuel surcharge of $202 one-way ($404 round-trip)

For flights more than 9 hours.
- From the US (including Bermuda) this will result in a fuel surcharge of $261 one-way ($522 round-trip)
- From Canada, this will result in a fuel surcharge of $273 one-way ($546 round-trip)

Note that this is for coach. For the First Class and Club World, it is much less. Apparently it costs less to transport a first class person. (!!!!!). And those are just the fuel surcharges, which are not the total of the taxes and fees.

Is the plan for all airlines to go bankrupt? Get government subsidies?

[TravelGal]

Is the plan for all airlines to go bankrupt? Get government subsidies?

One would think so but gov't subsidies are illegal in the EU, unless you are Alitalia, that is.

Wonder if Air New Zealand will do the same on their LAX/LHR flights? They could make a killing if they keep their fuel surcharges low.

[KLang]

And if more people begin carrying on more luggage, I hope the airline enforce the size restrictions. Placing suitcases the size of a hay bale in an overhead is just ridiculous.

I went back and forth to Dallas on American this week. They seem to be allowing bigger carry on's now. :irked:

[ferrarigod]

Rumor has it, developed countries now have high speed rail.

rumor has it, it is cheaper to fly almost all distances in these developed countries than it is to ride on heavily government subsidized high speed rail.

[TrueBrit]

Good plan. Certainly not on British Airways.

For flights less than 9 hours. From the US (including Bermuda) this [increase on June 19] will result in a fuel surcharge of $191 one-way ($382 round-trip)
- From Canada, this will result in a fuel surcharge of $202 one-way ($404 round-trip)

For flights more than 9 hours.
- From the US (including Bermuda) this will result in a fuel surcharge of $261 one-way ($522 round-trip)
- From Canada, this will result in a fuel surcharge of $273 one-way ($546 round-trip)

Note that this is for coach. For the First Class and Club World, it is much less. Apparently it costs less to transport a first class person. (!!!!!). And those are just the fuel surcharges, which are not the total of the taxes and fees.

The thing that drives me nuts about that is that they can STILL advertise that you can get from NYC to Heathrow for $239/1-way....it's not until AFTER you try and book the tickets that you discover that the ACTUAL price is double the advertised prices due to "taxes and fuel surcharges"....I think that is highly deceptive and needs to be disclosed ahead of time...

[cameraman]

Guess pricing has changed because the train used to be far less expensive. But if I wasn't already in the airport I'd probably still take the train. Airports & airlines just generally suck and are best avoided whenever possible.

[TravelGal]

The thing that drives me nuts about that is that they can STILL advertise that you can get from NYC to Heathrow for $239/1-way....it's not until AFTER you try and book the tickets that you discover that the ACTUAL price is double the advertised prices due to "taxes and fuel surcharges"....I think that is highly deceptive and needs to be disclosed ahead of time...

Fear not TB, there are LOTS of investigations going on. Not that they will necessarily have a satisfactory result but at least the various EU gummits are aware that it is highly deceptive.

This is one reason we are seeing a slight but noticeable trend back to traditional travel agents. I know I always tell you the "out the door" price, not the base with 50 "oh by the way" costs tacked on later.

Musing here but I often wonder if this was the airlines' long term strategy. Remove commissions from agents so passengers go to the net. Huge cash influx that year for the airlines. Then increase shenanigans and booking fees so passengers go back to travel agents. Noticeable operating efficiency and staff cuts on their side as agents once again do the work but without commissions. Hmmmm.

[Indy]

So how do you make money?

[Stu]

There is nothing stopping a private company from building a high speed passenger rail line right now. Except the financial suicide part:rolleyes:

its financial suicide because they have to buy the land, whereas the government can just steal it. ;)

[TravelGal]

So how do you make money?

Rule numero uno. I rarely sell air tickets and almost never sell domestic ones. That's why I feel free to comment here about the airlines. It's all helpful and noncommercial because I don't sell it.

There is the occasional long-standing client that wants me to find them a ticket or the occasional person that does not have internet (a few do exist) or can't be bothered (a few more of those exist). For them, I charge a fee to compensate me for my time and expertise. The airlines are also charging fees when you call into their call centers. Last I read one of them was up to $25 per ticket from a call center.

[Gnam]

Rationing seats? United Requires Minimum Stays (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gKQgK7gPFDOfjG7b3-hqoJYMEx7QD91E0FPO0)

Will miles be limited next? So many a month or year?



edit: They just need to figure out how to keep selling tickets without flying anywhere.

[grungex]

How does enforcing a minimum stay help them combat rising fuel prices? :confused: :confused:

On the bright side, I was (amazingly) able to book a frequent flier flight for my summer vacation with them yesterday, and only had to adjust my departure date by less than a day.

[Methanolandbrats]

Rationing seats? United Requires Minimum Stays (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gKQgK7gPFDOfjG7b3-hqoJYMEx7QD91E0FPO0)

Will miles be limited next? So many a month or year?



edit: They just need to figure out how to keep selling tickets without flying anywhere. That will be easy since they seem to laying off all the mechanics :gomer:

[JLMannin]

How does enforcing a minimum stay help them combat rising fuel prices? :confused: :confused:

Don't want to stay the minimum stay to purchase a round trip ticket? Buy two one-ways - much more $$ for the airline.

[TravelGal]

Just came across this blog/compilation of baggage rules. It's part of farecompare but a pretty good read if you're going anywhere by air.


http://rickseaney.com/domestic-airline-fee-chart

[TravelGal]

As an update, Delta reports 60% fewer "second bags" since they started charging $25 for them. Grudgingly I admit they accomplished several objectives (less weight on the plane--translating into fuel savings, and less wait at the baggage claim--translating into less staff time) without scrwwwwwing the public as much as the others who are charging for the FIRST bag.

[Insomniac]

Just came across this blog/compilation of baggage rules. It's part of farecompare but a pretty good read if you're going anywhere by air.


http://rickseaney.com/domestic-airline-fee-chart

I hate fare compare. BS site. They claim one price (real low), but it's never that low. Always some deal you missed. But their pick a date grid still shows the low price that is non-existent.

[TravelGal]

I hate fare compare. BS site. They claim one price (real low), but it's never that low. Always some deal you missed. But their pick a date grid still shows the low price that is non-existent.

Sorry to hear that as I thought farecompare was better than most. I can't say I'm too surprised though. One feature of real travel agents is that they are looking at the live inventory and when they say the price, that's the price. Assuming you buy it at the instant they quote it. ;)

Now for today's revelation. This was news to me and may warn of another charge to cross the pond and be adopted by US carriers.

"Two British carriers, Ryanair and Thomson charge to have a toddler or baby sit on their parents lap. Ryanair charges about $32 and Thomson charges about $58 per child for the privilege."

[Andrew Longman]

"Two British carriers, Ryanair and Thomson charge to have a toddler or baby sit on their parents lap. Ryanair charges about $32 and Thomson charges about $58 per child for the privilege."


And the thinking is...?

What incremental cost did they incur to allow me that privilege?

[Stu]

And the thinking is...?

What incremental cost did they incur to allow me that privilege?

Added weight, not just for the child but for extra luggage the child requires.

[dando]

And the thinking is...?

What incremental cost did they incur to allow me that privilege?

Well, duh...it's the extra 10-25 lbs of weight being added to the plane. :gomer: :shakehead :saywhat:

-Kevin

[cameraman]

Some friends just flew to Prague on Lufthansa with an 8 month old baby. The fine folks at Lufthansa seat all the baby toting folks along a bulkhead wall that has bassinets that attach to the wall for the kiddo. They didn't know that going in and they were very pleasantly surprised. No charge btw.

[Andrew Longman]

Some friends just flew to Prague on Lufthansa with an 8 month old baby. The fine folks at Lufthansa seat all the baby toting folks along a bulkhead wall that has bassinets that attach to the wall for the kiddo. They didn't know that going in and they were very pleasantly surprised. No charge btw.

That's called civilized society. Something lost on our airline industry many years ago.

For those of you old enough to remember, there was a time when you actually got dressed up to travel by plane.

No that they are the equivalent of a flying cattle car, you might as well wear clothes you don't mind getting manure on.

[dando]

Some friends just flew to Prague on Lufthansa with an 8 month old baby. The fine folks at Lufthansa seat all the baby toting folks along a bulkhead wall that has bassinets that attach to the wall for the kiddo. They didn't know that going in and they were very pleasantly surprised. No charge btw.

Lufthansa is tits. :thumbup: Made the Frankfurt to Bangalore (and vice versa) legs of my India trip last summer worth savoring (despite the fact that their entertainment system runs on WinCE...and yes, it crashed mid-flight). :saywhat: United on the other hand sucked dockey nuts. :yuck:

-Kevin

[Ankf00]

That's called civilized society. Something lost on our airline industry many years ago.

For those of you old enough to remember, there was a time when you actually got dressed up to travel by plane.

No that they are the equivalent of a flying cattle car, you might as well wear clothes you don't mind getting manure on.

Hey, you want to disassemble a 3 piece suit going through security, you have at it.

Imma kick my flips into the bin w/ the laptop and get through there as quick as humanly possible.

[G.]

Singapore Air pwns all.

SA econo-cattle section is better than United First class.

That's not hyperbole, that's fact. (ok, a little exageration maybe)

Related: How much does it cost if you check your kid?

:p

[Insomniac]

Sorry to hear that as I thought farecompare was better than most. I can't say I'm too surprised though. One feature of real travel agents is that they are looking at the live inventory and when they say the price, that's the price. Assuming you buy it at the instant they quote it. ;)

As an addendum, I think the night after I made that rant, they e-mailed me to tell me the price had dropped to about that level. Sure enough it did, but I already paid nearly double. :mad: From now on, I'm not booking until within 30 days. I keep getting jacked.

[TravelGal]

Some friends just flew to Prague on Lufthansa with an 8 month old baby. The fine folks at Lufthansa seat all the baby toting folks along a bulkhead wall that has bassinets that attach to the wall for the kiddo. They didn't know that going in and they were very pleasantly surprised. No charge btw.

Nearly all international airlines have the bassinettes. It's why I try to persuade travelers that they do NOT want the bulkhead row. It's fine if the little darlings sleep but if they are up and running, or worse yet, screaming, it's not a pleasant way to pass a lot of hours.


Lufthansa is tits. :thumbup: Made the Frankfurt to Bangalore (and vice versa) legs of my India trip last summer worth savoring (despite the fact that their entertainment system runs on WinCE...and yes, it crashed mid-flight). :saywhat: United on the other hand sucked dockey nuts. :yuck:

-Kevin


Tut, tut. Never fly a US domestic airline internationally if you have a chance. Double ugh.

[TravelGal]

As an addendum, I think the night after I made that rant, they e-mailed me to tell me the price had dropped to about that level. Sure enough it did, but I already paid nearly double. :mad: From now on, I'm not booking until within 30 days. I keep getting jacked.

Bad. But aren't they the guys who are supposed to tell you how to get that money back? In the form of vouchers or something? Or is that a different rip-off site?

Edit: remember to try to buy your tickets on Tuesday. Overall, it is generally (love the doublespeak) the least expensive day of the week to purchase domestic tickets.

[cameraman]

It's why I try to persuade travelers that they do NOT want the bulkhead row. It's fine if the little darlings sleep but if they are up and running, or worse yet, screaming, it's not a pleasant way to pass a lot of hours These folks had no idea that they were in a bulkhead row, Lufthansa put them there so I would assume that even if you did opt for a bulkhead row there would be a reasonable chance that you will get moved out to make room for a kiddo.

[dando]

Tut, tut. Never fly a US domestic airline internationally if you have a chance. Double ugh.

No choice. TWX is married to United for some reason. :( Of course now all travel must be approved @ the EVP level, so I don't need to worry about flying anywhere anytime soon for work. :D

-Kevin

[Insomniac]

Bad. But aren't they the guys who are supposed to tell you how to get that money back? In the form of vouchers or something? Or is that a different rip-off site?

Edit: remember to try to buy your tickets on Tuesday. Overall, it is generally (love the doublespeak) the least expensive day of the week to purchase domestic tickets.

Ended up using a voucher for United, so the cost is the same in the end, but I'm out a free domestic voucher (lower 48 only). The cheaper flights were on Continental. It's OK, just something to keep in mind for the future. Thanks for the tip on Tuesdays. Is 30 days a magical number? Last year when I went out to LA, we took Southwest and they dropped quite a bit around that time as well. Too bad my passport wasn't delayed. Stupid fast government contractor. ;)

[TravelGal]

Is 30 days a magical number? Last year when I went out to LA, we took Southwest and they dropped quite a bit around that time as well.

Not that I know of, but I don't know everything. ;)

It's usually more a function of who else is having sale, or whether they are about to try to pay back some debt, or have a stock offering, or whatever other reason they might need a quick cash infusion.

There are traditional seasonal sales (although even those are not as common any more) such as buying your international tickets during January or February. It used to be as late as March for travel through the summer. For the last two years, it has been purchase in January for travel through May or June.

Cameraman, they generally don't assign bulkheads before check in. Where I give LH credit is that someone, A HUMAN, took note that there was a baby and took the initiative to assign that family to the bulkhead. It still does happen that you get good service. Just not as often as before.

[Andrew Longman]

Hey, you want to disassemble a 3 piece suit going through security, you have at it.

Imma kick my flips into the bin w/ the laptop and get through there as quick as humanly possible.

Having to disrobe to go through security is uncivilized. Going through security at all is uncivilized. But I'm living in the wrong times

[TravelGal]

Here's a new one. It's OT for this thread but I decided not to start a new one. It's why one should always have a plastic frequent flier card to use to check in.

"Toronto's Pearson Airport has apparently been hit by fraudsters. Visa noticed that the cards of some people who had flown out of Toronto were being used by others. It is not known what kind of pattern sparked the investigation. When fraud is suspected, Visa investigates in partnership with the banks that issue its credit cards, looking for patterns in an attempt to trace where the credit card number was obtained. The cards were used at check in kiosks in the airport. It has not been determined if the information was stolen from the kiosks or the databases that support it. WestJet has stopped allowing its customers to check in with their credit cards at the self-service kiosks in 28 Canadian airports although they are the only airline to do so."

[Ankf00]

I just use my license

[TravelGal]

I just use my license

Could not remember if that was an option. Makes sense since I did know you can use a passport. Thanks for the info.

[Insomniac]

Not that I know of, but I don't know everything. ;)

It's usually more a function of who else is having sale, or whether they are about to try to pay back some debt, or have a stock offering, or whatever other reason they might need a quick cash infusion.

There are traditional seasonal sales (although even those are not as common any more) such as buying your international tickets during January or February. It used to be as late as March for travel through the summer. For the last two years, it has been purchase in January for travel through May or June.

My theory was that if you book way in advance, you get a reasonable price, but not a great price. You want your tickets, you made your plans, no hassles. As the flight approaches and they aren't very full they cut prices to fill the plane. So people who were maybe thinking about going somewhere are enticed by the lower prices. Then as it gets really close, they jack up prices because they know people really need those tickets.

[TravelGal]

My theory was that if you book way in advance, you get a reasonable price, but not a great price. You want your tickets, you made your plans, no hassles. As the flight approaches and they aren't very full they cut prices to fill the plane. So people who were maybe thinking about going somewhere are enticed by the lower prices. Then as it gets really close, they jack up prices because they know people really need those tickets.

This is all exactly true. You are hired as my assistant! You've got it figured out. There is no magic "30 day" timeframe for "as the flight approaches" though. As for what I wrote above, those are general trends, not the normal cyclical ones you describe.

[Insomniac]

This is all exactly true. You are hired as my assistant! You've got it figured out. There is no magic "30 day" timeframe for "as the flight approaches" though. As for what I wrote above, those are general trends, not the normal cyclical ones you describe.

How do you find out if the flights are pretty empty?

[TravelGal]

How do you find out if the flights are pretty empty?

On specific flights I can look at the plane and see how many seats are already assigned. I believe you can do that online as well. Few seats assigned may not correspond to the airline lowering their price, however. They may (MAY) have some sort of flight-specific projection that shows that flight XYZ from Here to There always fills up late. Or not.

Had an interesting discussion this morning with a rep from a very major tour company. He was saying that they keep track of cancellations and forward bookings for a year out. That tells them the trends. I wonder if the airlines do as much?

[TravelGal]

I've decided to use this as an all purpose thread unless any of you would like to see a separate one for various misc items.

Here's today's gem.

"Fraudulent e-mails are being sent out under the names of various major airlines with an attachment that includes a zip file containing a virus. Some airlines have posted warnings on their websites. Northwest put out a press release on the issue. The e-mail claims that the recipient has purchased a [Delta] ticket that a credit card has been charged, and that an invoice or receipt is attached to the e-mail. If you receive one of these e-mails, do not open the attachment as it may contain potentially dangerous viruses or other malware that may harm your computer."

[Insomniac]

I've decided to use this as an all purpose thread unless any of you would like to see a separate one for various misc items.

Here's today's gem.

"Fraudulent e-mails are being sent out under the names of various major airlines with an attachment that includes a zip file containing a virus. Some airlines have posted warnings on their websites. Northwest put out a press release on the issue. The e-mail claims that the recipient has purchased a [Delta] ticket that a credit card has been charged, and that an invoice or receipt is attached to the e-mail. If you receive one of these e-mails, do not open the attachment as it may contain potentially dangerous viruses or other malware that may harm your computer."

A general rule should be to never open any .zip or .exe files e-mailed to you. I've been getting a lot from "UPS" about some tracking information or a package being held by "U.S. Customs".

[Insomniac]

On specific flights I can look at the plane and see how many seats are already assigned. I believe you can do that online as well. Few seats assigned may not correspond to the airline lowering their price, however. They may (MAY) have some sort of flight-specific projection that shows that flight XYZ from Here to There always fills up late. Or not.

That's true. What happens when people book, but don't pick a seat? Are they assigned one by default?

[TravelGal]

That's true. What happens when people book, but don't pick a seat? Are they assigned one by default?

AFAIK, they are not assigned a seat at all until they check in.

Agreed on the file attachments, btw. An awful lot of people just panic though and don't look at the type of attachment. They buy a lot of stock in Nigerian airlines also.

[TravelGal]

"Delta has increased the cost of checking a second bag from $25 to$50 and the fee for a third bag from $80 to $125 on domestic flights and to $200 on international flights. It has also raised the cost for bags that exceed the weight allowance. There will be increased fees for items that require special handling such as surfboards or ski equipment. Customers on international flights in economy can still check in two bags for free while business and first passengers can check up to three bags free and there is still NO charge for the first bag on domestic flights. "

[oddlycalm]

Wonder how much extra American Airlines is charging the folks flying out of JFK today without their bags due to a baggage handling system meltdown...? :D Then there are the passengers that didn't go anywhere because they couldn't get checked in at all; look how much they saved. :gomer:

AA bagged system meltdown at JFK (http://www.wnbc.com/news/17036359/detail.html?rss=ny&psp=news)

oc

[Ankf00]

F-AA



that is all.



I feel better now :)

[Insomniac]

I've decided to use this as an all purpose thread unless any of you would like to see a separate one for various misc items.

Here's today's gem.

"Fraudulent e-mails are being sent out under the names of various major airlines with an attachment that includes a zip file containing a virus. Some airlines have posted warnings on their websites. Northwest put out a press release on the issue. The e-mail claims that the recipient has purchased a [Delta] ticket that a credit card has been charged, and that an invoice or receipt is attached to the e-mail. If you receive one of these e-mails, do not open the attachment as it may contain potentially dangerous viruses or other malware that may harm your computer."

Didn't take long, I got my infected e-mail:


From: Pat Block Spirit Airlines <csmbiuoqax@bogusproductions.com>
Subject: E-ticket #4497191534

Good day,
Thank you for using our new service "Buy airplane ticket Online" on our website.
Your account has been created:

Your login: ********************
Your password: passKZ9U

Your credit card has been charged for $461.17.
We would like to remind you that whenever you order tickets on our website you get a discount of 10%!
Attached to this message is the purchase Invoice and the flight ticket.
To use your ticket, simply print it on a color printed, and you are set to take off for the journey!

Kind regards,
Pat Block
Spirit Airlines

I really like the sender's address.

[TKGAngel]

JetBlue just announced they're going to be charging for pillows and blankets on flights over 2 hours. $7 gets you your very own blankie and pillow to keep, as well as a $5 coupon to Bed, Bath and Beyond.

[Gnam]

No way. :shakehead

[TrueBrit]

Way....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26010559/

[Indy]

They should just charge people by the pound and be done with it. They already treat us like human cargo, so what's stopping them?

[TravelGal]

"US Airways said they will be taking blankets and pillows off domestic aircraft and are looking at selling a blanket/pillow combination. They have chosen three companies from those making bids and will be deciding shortly. They won't remove the blankets and pillows until they can offer a replacement for those who want it."

I'm wondering if this means you OWN the dang things so you then have to take them with you? Most people will leave them. What does US Airways do with THOSE? I'll post more info when I get it or be glad to read if anyone else has any.

[Methanolandbrats]

Pilots are pissed because airlines think fuel weighs too much, so they don't put extra fuel on the plane. Pilots will have to learn how to do dead stick landings if there is a headwind. :D

[oddlycalm]

Pilots are pissed because airlines think fuel weighs too much, so they don't put extra fuel on the plane. Pilots will have to learn how to do dead stick landings if there is a headwind. :D

Of course what actually happens is that you get to make an unplanned fuel stop that adds 45 - 60 minutes to the flight, something that has been happening for some time now on west bound flights that hit higher than planned for headwinds. :thumdown:

oc

[dando]

American Airlines is charging troops for their extra baggage, a practice that forces soldiers heading for a war zone in Iraq to try to get reimbursement from the military. One of the country's largest veterans groups is asking the aviation industry to drop the practice immediately.

American, which recently charged two soldiers from Texas $100 and $300 for their extra duffel bags, said it gives the military a break on the cost for excess luggage and that the soldiers who incur the fees are reimbursed.

"Because the soldiers don't pay a dime, our waiver of the fees amounts to a discount to the military, not a discount to soldiers," said Tim Wagner, spokesman for American Airlines. "Soldiers should not have to pay a penny of it."

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/aug/12/soldiers-pay-bag-fee-on-travel-to-war/

:saywhat: :thumdown:

-Kevin

[Gnam]

AA is crazy good at PR. :gomer:

"Soldiers should not have to pay a penny of it."
But they have to front the cash.
Couldn't AA bill the military directly and leave the soldiers out of it? Seems like a lousy way to make a buck.

[Insomniac]

"US Airways said they will be taking blankets and pillows off domestic aircraft and are looking at selling a blanket/pillow combination. They have chosen three companies from those making bids and will be deciding shortly. They won't remove the blankets and pillows until they can offer a replacement for those who want it."

I'm wondering if this means you OWN the dang things so you then have to take them with you? Most people will leave them. What does US Airways do with THOSE? I'll post more info when I get it or be glad to read if anyone else has any.

I'd assume the trash. I can't see what use they would be unless they were going to wash (or not) them and try to resell them. Do you buy these once and do they just become a standard part of your carry-on?

[Indy]

I amagione the TSA will ban carry on pillows out of fear of terrorism.

[cameraman]

Southwest just announced that it was dropping 196 flights from its schedule next year. That is around 6%. The days of having a row to yourself are gone.

[TravelGal]

I think that 196 was for the winter. They say they will return most of them when the normally busy summer season comes next year.

I try not to make this thread a monologue so I didn't say anything about United changing its meal policy. I thought someone else might post in high dugeon. It's sad to me because UA was always the one domestic airline that catered (no pun intended) to its business class passengers.

"United Airlines is making more cuts in the cabin, including downgrading business-class meals on domestic flights and cutting free food for coach passengers on flights from Dulles to Europe.

United says during the fourth quarter, it will test changes in meal service, including the elimination of hot meals for its business class customers on domestic flights. Business class customers instead will be offered free of charge the same boxed lunches and snacks coach customers pay for. Drinks will continue to be free in business class."

You'll need those drinks to choke down that box lunch. :shakehead

[WickerBill]

I just flew United to Australia, and I can tell you they aren't waiting until the 4th quarter. I got a box lunch between SFO and ORD. Cold chicken sandwich in business... dreamy.

I'm not a drinker, so I say cut the booze down to two per customer and keep the food. The alcohol must cost just as much, with the quantities some of these business boozers consume.