Triple7
May 21st, 2008, 10:48 PM
American to cut flights, charge for baggage
BY JAMES BERNSTEIN | [email protected]
5:48 PM EDT, May 21, 2008
Citing the weak economy and fuel costs that have increased by billions of dollars in the last few years, American Airlines said Wednesday it will charge $15 for passengers' first checked bag, reduce its capacity by at least 11 percent, and layoff off thousands of employees. [More... (http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzair0522,0,2978709.story)]
----
Well that's great. Other airlines are going to follow this major airline, unfortunately. We pay for the seat on the plane, and that's about it now. Depending on the airline, other things that cost extra are meals, snacks, paper tickets, booking by phone, exit-row seats, and changing seats. I remember when meals (hey, a hot towel too?) and snacks (unlimited peanuts when I was 8!) were free and when checking two pieces of luggage came at no extra cost. You know? When airlines weren't squeezing every last penny out of passengers. What's next? Weighing passengers before booking, confirming it before boarding, and charging more for heavier ones? What else can airlines tack a fee on? Searching for tickets? E-ticket operating costs (can you say Ticketmaster)? Talking to a flight attendant? Pressing the call button?
BY JAMES BERNSTEIN | [email protected]
5:48 PM EDT, May 21, 2008
Citing the weak economy and fuel costs that have increased by billions of dollars in the last few years, American Airlines said Wednesday it will charge $15 for passengers' first checked bag, reduce its capacity by at least 11 percent, and layoff off thousands of employees. [More... (http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzair0522,0,2978709.story)]
----
Well that's great. Other airlines are going to follow this major airline, unfortunately. We pay for the seat on the plane, and that's about it now. Depending on the airline, other things that cost extra are meals, snacks, paper tickets, booking by phone, exit-row seats, and changing seats. I remember when meals (hey, a hot towel too?) and snacks (unlimited peanuts when I was 8!) were free and when checking two pieces of luggage came at no extra cost. You know? When airlines weren't squeezing every last penny out of passengers. What's next? Weighing passengers before booking, confirming it before boarding, and charging more for heavier ones? What else can airlines tack a fee on? Searching for tickets? E-ticket operating costs (can you say Ticketmaster)? Talking to a flight attendant? Pressing the call button?