Carry-on-baggage police

[chris408]

Looks like flying is going to get more complicated...

" AMR Corp.'s American and UAL Corp.'s United will station airline employees or hired contract workers at entrances to security screening lanes to intercept customers exceeding the carry-on limit of one bag small enough to fit in an overhead bin and one "personal item" like a purse or briefcase. "

Also...

" Another cost-saving change: US Airways is ending free sodas on its flights beginning in August. Coffee, bottled water and soft drinks will cost $2; alcoholic drinks will be raised to $7 from $5. "

Article: The Middle Seat - WSJ.com

[navyhmc]

And the beat goes on...Yet we still fly...

What chafes me is that you are not allowed to bring on your own beverages so they literally have you by the short and curlies no matter what.

[Aussie]

On the budget airlines over here we have to pay for a coke or bottle of water on flights. We even have flights which are cheaper if you only have carry on baggage. i dont mind as these flights are always alot cheaper and the money you save can pay for a sandwhich or drink many mnay times over.

Another option is joining a airline club ie Qantas Club etc etc. Sure they cost a bit each year but if your doing alot of travelling the extra allowances will make it worth while. Especially over here where we have small baggage allowances (20kg). My camera case weight 25kg.

Its still cheaper than driving these days.

Aussie

[DaneMeyer20]

I wouldnt fly those crap airlines anyway. They charge about 100 bucks more than other companies for the same flight. They are doing it to force you to pay for the charge they are trying to hit you with to even put one bag under now

[Vercingetorix]

I'm glad they are enforcing the "One overhead bag per flyer" Rule. It just galls me whenever I see some putz shoving 3 or 4 bags in the overhead, because the fool doesn't want to check them. HEY, JACKASS, LEAVE SOME ROOM FOR THE REST OF US.

//not that I'm emotional about this...

[chinacat46]

I can't imagine paying $2 for the worst coffee on the planet. Damn airline coffee is always like mud. They should pay you.

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by navyhmc

And the beat goes on...Yet we still fly...

What chafes me is that you are not allowed to bring on your own beverages so they literally have you by the short and curlies no matter what.

On Southwest and American (I only fly american when someone else is footing the bill), I have had no issues with taking my own drink on the plane, however, it has to be purchased once inside the terminal, it obviously can't be brought through security...

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by Vercingetorix

I'm glad they are enforcing the "One overhead bag per flyer" Rule. It just galls me whenever I see some putz shoving 3 or 4 bags in the overhead, because the fool doesn't want to check them. HEY, JACKASS, LEAVE SOME ROOM FOR THE REST OF US.

//not that I'm emotional about this...

yup... and then, the people that bring bags that are simply too big to fit... those are the ones that sit there and futz around trying to squeeze it in... I know I don't like waiting for luggage, but for me, it's less stress than trying to squeeze everything I want to take into a carry on... so, I have a backpack and my laptop bag that come with me and they both go under the seat in front of me...

[caroln]

Even with raising the price of drinks onboard, it's hard to argue that the airlines are gouging us on price, because they are all hemmoraging money. Most of them are showing losses every quarter, unlike the gas companies who are showing massive profits.

The carry on situation was bound to happen with them charging in some cases for the first check on bag. If a family of 4 is traveling, with one bag a piece, that adds over $100 to the cost of the trip--which isn't chump change.

The airlines have set the rules for carryons and I have no problem following those rules--unless they are changing them after the fact. If they get more restrictive it will suck because I don't like checking certain gear, but if the choice is suck it up or stay home, I'll be sucking it up.

[thesmoothdome]

Perhaps I'm just an idiot (purely retorical...no need to agree folks), but I'm of the mind that I'd rather pay more for a ticket than have "restrictions" and "fees" added to the service provided.

I understand fuel costs have gone completely insane and that ticket prices are forced to rise. Go for it....charge me more, but start treating me like a person! Customer service brings people back. Charging us for extra bags, drinks, pillows and blankets, cutting food service, going gestopo on the carryon bag weight limits, etc. just makes me feel like I don't matter at all.

I understand the economy. I'm a big boy. I know that you're under pressure just to continue to operate. Feed me, water me, treat me well and I'll continue to fly. Nickel and dime me, make me feel like I'm cattle (even more so than you already do) and risk losing a lot more than $2.00 for a coke.