Flight Attendant Friday: How About That Bag Charge Idea?

Today’s questions is one that I’ve been asked many times over the last week or so. 

I wanted to stay away from the topic, because this blog is not about the politics of travel.  While I am candid about the fact that I work for an airline, I stay away from criticizing airlines, because to do so with credibility would require disclosure of my employer.  I’m not willing to do that, and the opinions expressed here are solely my own, and not those of my employer. 

But this question is one that I just can’t avoid, so here goes —

Q.  What do you think of the decision to start charging passengers for checking bags?

A.  I think this is a bad decision, both practically (from the standpoint of a Flight Attendant who has to manage the carry on baggage situation) and in the big picture (as a consumer who is appalled at the continuing extra charges being added onto tickets prices).

First, let me speak selfishly. 

Carry on bags are already a problem.  As passengers become more distrusting of an airline’s ability to get their bag to them at their destination, they tend to choose to carry on rather than check their bags.  (For the record, I generally check my bags.) 

We already have too much stuff in the cabin.  And now along comes a policy that will have no other result but to drive more passengers to bring carry ons.  This means greater time will be needed for boarding, removing of excess bags, and the management of the limited stowage space.  When the space is gone, how do you decide who gets charged for the bags that don’t fit?  And if there will be no charge if the stowage bins are full, what is the point of the policy at all?

Having to deal with these issue onboard the aircraft, minutes before scheduled departure, is going to impact on-time departures unless the airlines schedule more ground time for the aircraft.  That’s not going to happen.  Since the planes make money when they’re flying, ground time is constantly shaved in order to get the plane back in the air.  You think there are delays now?  I predict it will get worse.

One reason that I’ve heard espoused for the fee is that more weight equals more fuel use.  Okay.  But what difference does it make that your 40 pound bag is in the cabin rather than in the belly of the aircraft.  You’re bringing your bag (it’s a very small number of passengers who travel with NO luggage) when you go on vacation — it’s not a matter of IF, it’s just a matter of where to put it.  So extra weight as an explanation is just not something that I believe.  (NOTE:  I have no issue for charging for excess baggage.  But I don’t consider ONE bag to be EXCESS.)

Another reasons I’ve heard to justify the fee is that passengers are getting used to these add on fees.  You may be right there — they are getting used to it, but they are also mad as hell about being nickel-and-dimed to death, and having all these special fees being crammed down their throat. 

Finally, the real reason that these, and other charges, are being added.  The airlines are losing money.  So instead of raising the cost of a ticket, and letting you know the entire cost of your travel right up front, the airlines tack on a little here, and a little there, and you have no idea of what your travel is going to cost you until it’s too late.

It’s just wrong.  And I believe it’s short-sighted.

It seems basic economics to me, but you cannot continue to charge less for your product than it costs to deliver it and expect to be a profitable business.  That means that while it may be unpopular, it’s time to raise the price of tickets, and to start quoting an inclusive price.

As consumers we are going to pay for these decisions one way or another (either in ticket prices or as part of governmental costs of bailouts or bankruptcies), and I’d much rather it be up front.

How about you?  Do you think this baggage charge is wrong?  What do you think is the answer?

Sound off in the comments!

UPDATE JUNE 5TH:  In a moment of not paying attention, I accidentally deleted this original posts, and all the great comments that went along with it.  Please accept my sincere apologies.  This was not an attempt to edit or censor, but simply a moment of stupidity.

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