American Airlines -- $15 for your first bag to check-in now!

[MotoCreations]

I don't know what companies are thinking when it comes to flying.  But now I guess we are supposed to fly without luggage now?  Don't they realize the carry-on bag is now going to weigh 50lbs instead and is stuffed into the overhead bin and will take forever to get through security?  WTF?

If they are going to do that -- I have a better idea at least.  Let's just weigh every single person with their luggage as they board the plane.  You get charged "fuel allocation" on your combined weight.  I know -- I know -- they'd be sued for discrimination with minutes for proposing such a unique idea.  But it would be fair!  And then hopefully I wouldn't be penalized in sitting in seat "B" between two family members who are in seats "A" and "C"...

[cyrus buelton]

It is what it is.

[derby]

i always carried my luggage so i didn't have to dig through all the bags in baggage claim.

i guess there will be less bags to dig through now. might be worth the $15. 

[monsterduc]

I think it's a good idea to charge airfare based on weight.  Package shipping is based on size and weight.  

[mitt]

Most people pack wayyyy too much sh!t anyway.

mitt

[DY]

here's whats going to happen. 

Theres going to be lots of passengers with oversized carry-ons that wont fit in the overhead compartments.  Those carry-ons are going to get tagged at the jetway and thrown down the slide to the belly of the plane where they'll be thrown in with the regular checked bags.  Meanwhile, the cabin overheads are going to be bulging full and loading/unloading time will increase by a good 10 minutes per plane. 

Everyone will be pissed and the planes will all be late. 

[duc_fan]

The airlines' fuel cost is directly related to the aircraft's gross weight, so economically it makes sense that the more you and your luggage weigh (combined), the more you pay.  But, we live in a society where penalizing people for their weight is taboo.

I can understand this... to a point.

For example, your average white male college quarterback is around 6'4" and 240 lbs (I'm 6'4" 224#, and not in quite that good shape).  Now, that weight is largely genetic, as said avg quarterback doesn't have a lot of excess mass.  He might be able to pound fewer weights and drop some muscle mass, but to remain healthy looking (not anorexic) he realistically needs to maintain a weight north of 200.  For example, my target weight  is 6'4" and 225 lbs (as an aside, I've heard this listed as Superman's height/weight ).

Then we have your average European (I suppose... the one who the Duc is designed for), at around 5'8" and 150 lbs.  Equally healthy and trim looking, he weighs 25% less than our 6'4" 200 lb skinny friend.  Now they're both maintaining healthy lifestyles... but one is being financially penalized for his genetics.  Keep in mind he probably already has to budget more for food (this body size requires plenty of fuel), shoes (size 14 & 15 are hard to come by and almost never on sale), clothing (ever try to find pants as a tall, skinny guy?  Custom orders), and so forth.  Naturally it doesn't seem "fair" (to some people) to financially penalize our tall friend any more by making him pay more for his airline seat.

I'm not even going into applying financial penalties to people who are considered "overweight" or "obese".  That gets messy quick... changing societal definitions, lack of scientific evidence whether it's genetic or not, and other arguments mean I'd just as soon stay out of that sticky wicket.

At the end of the day, I personally don't care.  As both a tall guy and an engineer in the aerospace industry, I am acutely aware of the arguments on both sides.  My pocketbook prefers no weight penalties for heavier people, but hey, whatever.

As far as AA charging for checked baggage... that's bogus.  TSA screws you at security, and now the airline wants to screw you if you avoid security by checking luggage.  Fahdge... do they want the whole airline industry to go belly-up?

[Rameses]

And let's not forget about people with medical conditions which require traveling with things which can't be carried on the plane and must be checked.

Doesn't exactly seem fair to charge them extra does it?

[Dragsterhund]

If they would have throught about it for a second, the better solution would be to lower the max free bag weight from 50 lbs to something like 35 lbs. checked bags under 35 lbs would be free, anything over would be 20 bucks or whatever the heavy baggage fee is.

[gojira]

Theres going to be lots of passengers with oversized carry-ons that wont fit in the overhead compartments.  Those carry-ons are going to get tagged at the jetway and thrown down the slide to the belly of the plane where they'll be thrown in with the regular checked bags.

Hmmm ... a workaround from the fee at check-in? 

[DY]

Hmmm ... a workaround from the fee at check-in? 

Bingo!

[ducati_tim]

This is not the only measure we will see in response to fuel prices. I just booked my annual trip back East for four people. United was showing normal fares, but then they tacked on these ridiculous fees. Roundtrip fares were ~four hundred dollars with an additional Four hundred tacked on in fees

[desmoquattro]

here's whats going to happen. 

...

No, here's what's going to happen:

• Oil will go close to $200 a barrel
• Lots more airlines will merge and/or go out of business
• Prices will go up to where only the rich can afford to fly
• These stupid airline tricks won't matter anymore.

Sorry...I'm a bit of a pessimist today 

[Triple J]

i always carried my luggage so i didn't have to dig through all the bags in baggage claim.

i guess there will be less bags to dig through now. might be worth the $15. 

+1 

People that travel a lot rarely check bags.  My wife can go away for a week with just her carry on...work clothes and all...fairly impressive!

I'd rather they charge people for their bags rather than charge everyone a little extra.  That way the people adding the weight foot the bill, and light packer are rewarded. 

[superjohn]

No, here's what's going to happen:

• Oil will go close to $200 a barrel
• Lots more airlines will merge and/or go out of business
• Prices will go up to where only the rich can afford to fly
• These stupid airline tricks won't matter anymore.

Sorry...I'm a bit of a pessimist today 

Unfortunately, you're probably right. Can I still dream of crossing the Atlantic in a solar powered dirigible though?