By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5263) on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 12:55 pm: |
This just in, looks like AA will begin charging $15 for the first bag, adn $25 for each additional bag after June 15, 2008.
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By Barbara "CB" Gibson* (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1867) on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 12:58 pm: |
Cynde, are you looking at AA again rather than Delta? That Delta flight was sweeeeet, if it hasn't priced itself out of our league...
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By A rose by any other name..aka RosAnne (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2401) on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 1:05 pm: |
This bites!
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1035) on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 1:11 pm: |
According to AA's website the following will not be charged a service fee to check a bag "Customers traveling on an international itinerary to destinations beyond the U.S., the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or Canada."
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By A rose by any other name..aka RosAnne (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2402) on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 1:45 pm: |
And if your tickets have already been purchased. Cest la vie....what are you gonna do???
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By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5264) on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 2:51 pm: |
CB, no way, Delta is looking pretty good!
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By Kathy Lawson (BonaireTalker - Post #30) on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 3:16 pm: |
I had thought that international bags would be free as well ... however when we were in Mexico last week, we noticed that USAirways had notices up for $25 to check a second bag ... I just reviewed the website and the only international destinations on that airline that are exempt include Europe and Asia ...
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By chris keen (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #107) on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 3:17 pm: |
Marcus you are correct. The charge is not applied to persons on international flights.
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1036) on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 3:21 pm: |
The website says the first bag is free only to those who buy a ticket or fly before 15 June which implies there will be a charge after 15 June. This indicates to me the web site is current and the other exception as I stated above still holds true. My understanding from talking to American today is that the bag charges don't apply to international travelers. You know how that goes though.
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By Kathy Lawson (BonaireTalker - Post #31) on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 3:22 pm: |
I just had a look at the continental site since we are flying continental this fall.
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1037) on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 3:22 pm: |
Sorry Chris, apparently you and I were posting at the same time.
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By Yo MO - Meet me at the 3Day in Atlanta (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3579) on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 3:29 pm: |
RosAnne - looks like that's OK - this is if you purchase your tickets AFTER June 15th.
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By Bill Thorpe, (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #306) on Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 12:34 am: |
More important than the 15 to 25 $ surcharge on bags, I'd be concerned that these airlines will be around when we need them or that they will still be flying to where we want to go!
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By monte pace (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 6:37 am: |
Bill is right, I am wondering if we will have a flight in Aug. By then no telling what the oil prices will be.
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By Susan - www.bsdme.info (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #584) on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 6:16 am: |
Ok, so let them be straight up call it what it is? Just raise fares or add a fuel surcharge rather than to play stop gap by charging for luggage. Oil prices are going to fluctuate so it won't be long before that isn't enough and they have to look elsewhere for ways to pay. Oops!!! I just provided two options.
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By Reza Gorji (BonaireTalker - Post #44) on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 8:07 am: |
Very soon, we will be charged if we want the plane to be commanded by two pilots rather than a cost savings of one. We will not be charged if we can squeeze into an unmanned drone; sorry no luggage allowed on those flights.
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By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11048) on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 10:41 am: |
Do we have to tip pilots?
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By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5280) on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 11:23 am: |
To Susan's point, one of my pet peeves is the "one carryon - size is always specified" and one handbag/purse/laptop. I always abide by this, and after some of the new TSA changes, saw the number of carryon folks took decreased dramatically. Now however, the last two times I've traveled this spring, boy, people push more than the limit. They have TWO carrons and a laptop or purse, or the dang carryon is huge and then they get angry they can't stuff it in the overhead bin.
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By Mare (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2193) on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 12:05 pm: |
Not only that, if one of the stewardesses is uncomfortable with her seat, the pilot may seat you in the bathroom for the flight.
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By Jake Richter - NetTech/Bonaire Insider (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6288) on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 1:18 pm: |
I should point out that none of the major airlines will charge a fee for the first bag (American only doing that so far) or the second bag if you are an elite member of their frequent flyer program. Elite means typically that you've flown or accrued 25000 miles/points in the FF program in the prior or present calendar year.
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By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7249) on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 1:49 pm: |
Hi Jake! I believe for non-frequent flyers who bought their tickets before such a such date do not have to pay that charge either, that being me! Got my next three trips all paid for a long time ago, so I shouldn't have to pay that charge till sometime next summer! Right? Even though we fly a lot, it is on a lot of different airlines and not enough to get the elite or Gold status depending on which one you are flying.
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By Marcus L. Barnes (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1038) on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 2:00 pm: |
Jake: When you say Gold AAdvantage member, are you referring to the AAdvantage Gold Level Credit Card?
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By Jake Richter - NetTech/Bonaire Insider (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6289) on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 2:24 pm: |
Debbie,
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By ron DeMink (BonaireTalker - Post #56) on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 10:08 pm: |
Dont everyone get all hysterical, if you are flying international, you DO NOT have baggage charges......PERIOD(for now)
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By Kathy Lawson (BonaireTalker - Post #32) on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 10:18 pm: |
Actually, some of the airlines ARE starting to charge for some international destinations. I recently came back from Mexico and USAirways was charging for a second checked bag. I also checked Continental since we have October Bonaire tickets and discovered that for Mexico and Caribbean flights, Continental just started charging (tickets purchased after 5/8 for travel after 5/19) for the second checked bag.
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By Ray and Pam (BonaireTalker - Post #69) on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 11:59 pm: |
I'll fly coach and pay the extra $15.
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By Bill Thorpe, (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #308) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 10:49 am: |
Ray-Pam
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By John "Smack" Anderson (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1555) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 12:58 pm: |
FWIW(from the airline side of things)
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By Peter (BonaireTalker - Post #36) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 1:44 pm: |
If I can add a European perspective, charging for checked bags has been common with many "budget" and charter airlines in Europe for some time. I've just booked a flight from England to the Dominican Republic, and there was an extra charge of around $37 for one 20kg bag! And they charge extra for inflight meals too!
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By Debbie Babcock (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #7251) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 2:24 pm: |
Smack, I hear ya on all the airlines being in turmoil, I posted about this elsewhere on BT, but have been keeping up on this. I have three already bought tickets on various airlines through March of 09 and hope that they can make it through this gas crisis which is effecting us all. The jelly roll effect of it goes to us, but hits airlines immediately as they spend billions, yes, billions of dollars to fuel their planes. We all have seen the cost of food go up already due to increased gas prices, I just filled up my Toyota Camry SE, $60! I am so glad I don't have a big truck right now.
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By Dave Goodwin (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #223) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 2:35 pm: |
Here's what I believe to be a real issue. Be prepared - I doubt you will ever see the charge for baggage go away, regardless of fuel prices.
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By Dave Goodwin (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #224) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 2:50 pm: |
One other thing....
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By Bill Thorpe, (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #309) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 3:02 pm: |
I am a casual follower of the airline industry! a long time ago when your airplane was 2/3 full you made lots of money, now with the increase in labor, new airplane costs, fuel, not to mention landing fees, your lucky to break even.
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By Roger Burnham - Blennylips Bonaire (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #174) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 5:09 pm: |
Dave, every ounce of weight adds to the fuel consumption; basic physics, no free lunch etc. It is a small difference. But when you look at the amount of fuel an airline burns in a year, any little bit saved ends up being a lot of money: former CEO Bob Crandall once bragged that he saved the airline $40,000 by removing olives from first class dinner salads.
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By Jan Klos - ( Hamlet Bonaire #10) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #638) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 6:19 pm: |
Weight cuts!! How about route & flight cuts ! That is what will save them money. Less flights, less employees, less expenses, more money to line the CEO's pockets.
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By Dave Goodwin (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #225) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 7:08 pm: |
Roger,
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By John "Smack" Anderson (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1556) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 9:28 pm: |
Mr Goodwin, Dave...
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By Dave Goodwin (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #226) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 9:42 pm: |
Mr Anderson, John...
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By John "Smack" Anderson (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1557) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 10:13 pm: |
Dave,
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By Robert Newton (BonaireTalker - Post #21) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 10:43 pm: |
Things dramatically changed since the Deregulation act of 1978 in the US. Rate, route and entry was governed by the no-longer-alive
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By Dave Goodwin (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #227) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 10:59 pm: |
John,
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By Ray and Pam (BonaireTalker - Post #70) on Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 11:56 pm: |
I'll fly coach and pay the extra $15. (insert smiley face)
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By Bill Thorpe, (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #310) on Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 2:30 am: |
Rogar
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By Dave Goodwin (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #228) on Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 10:32 am: |
Bill,
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By Bill Thorpe, (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #311) on Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 10:50 am: |
Please keep in mind in regards to the oil crisis, we've had the gold crisis of the 70's the Yen crisis of the 80's--were also right now in a moderating housing crisis,--there is also another crisis I'm not remembering,[it's hell getting old-lol] -- so from this perspective we should see some moderation of oil prices.
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By John "Smack" Anderson (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1558) on Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 10:58 am: |
Dave,
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By David Ingram (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 11:06 am: |
Southwest is making a profit because the oil price has not hit them directly yet.
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By Bill Thorpe, (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #312) on Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 11:47 am: |
David
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By Robert Newton (BonaireTalker - Post #22) on Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 12:04 pm: |
Bill:
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By Bill Thorpe, (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #313) on Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 1:54 pm: |
The crisis that I couldn't remember was the oil embargo of the late 70's and it too moderated.
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By Dave Goodwin (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #229) on Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 2:40 pm: |
Smack,
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By John "Smack" Anderson (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1559) on Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 9:19 pm: |
Dave,
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By Julia (Moderator) (Moderator - Post #44) on Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 9:38 pm: |
I love it when you guys play nicely, hugs to Smack and Dave instead of slaps.
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By Dave Goodwin (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #230) on Monday, May 26, 2008 - 12:48 am: |
John,
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By John "Smack" Anderson (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1560) on Monday, May 26, 2008 - 2:09 pm: |
Dave,
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By Kate Hickson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #241) on Monday, May 26, 2008 - 2:59 pm: |
Ok, BoatChick sort of brought this up, and I was thinking.... you know that size roller bag that everyone has? It's the largest roller bag that will still fit in the overhead bin? Yeah, I have one too, but I always check it because 1) it's a total bin hog, and 2) when packed really full, it's very heavy. Many people bring them on board and hog all the bin space (because they always have 2 bags dontcha know), BUT, often these bags are grabbed in the jetway because the airline workers know all that luggage isn't going to fit. They "gate check" or "valet" the bags. How will these people now pay the $15? Or will they not? Or will it encourage a bitter traveler, like myself, to walk down the jetway with my obnoxious bag, KNOWING it will be taken and gate checked, and I can weasel out of the $15 charge? I'm just musing out loud here.....
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By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5324) on Monday, May 26, 2008 - 3:50 pm: |
Kate, interesting...I've very rarely seen folks bin hog bags taken at the gate...that's my complaint, that they should. And your right, wouldn't they have to charge them $25? Especially if it's their second bag? how will they know if it's their first or second? I guess all the more reason to let the bin hogs hot the bins and not make them check them.
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By Kate Hickson (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #242) on Monday, May 26, 2008 - 4:19 pm: |
It's my pet peeve too, and I don't know how they will deal with it, but I sense it will be a problem.
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By April (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #188) on Monday, May 26, 2008 - 4:30 pm: |
I've only flown commercially a few times and already have a pet peeve ... people who hog up the overhead bins with tiny bags that could easily store under the seat (thus making room for the larger bags to fit overhead).
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By Jake Richter - NetTech/Bonaire Insider (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6296) on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 7:38 am: |
Regarding the overhead baggage issue, it looks like AA is aware this will become a problem. I just got the following e-mail from them - read the last part carefully (I made it bold):
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By Jake Richter - NetTech/Bonaire Insider (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6298) on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 10:07 am: |
And Linda just got a similar message, but for AAdvantage Gold members. The only different in the text of the e-mail is as follows:
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By Boat Chick************** (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #5346) on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 10:24 am: |
Michael and I were talking about this last night. Wondering, if folks will now try to carry MORE on the plane to avoid having to pay the one bag fee, or the second bag fee.
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By Chet Wood (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #810) on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 12:33 pm: |
Who do you suppose will be first to start charging a dollar or two per pound of carry-on weight?
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By Jake Richter - NetTech/Bonaire Insider (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #6299) on Thursday, May 29, 2008 - 4:36 pm: |
That would require a lot of infrastructure, Chet, plus lots of disputes about scale accuracy.
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