Airlines back off extra bag fees for active duty military perso...

The gouging of military personnel was recinded when it became news and the public was outraged! The pencil pushers wouldn't know body armor from their laptop! The essential stuff to keep these guys alive in combat was just so much stuff to the pencil necked geeks! I see Southwest had recinded the charges for military personnel earlier this year, Thank you ,Southwest! Your patriotism will not go without acknowledgement!

These extra bag fees cannot be managed by airline software. Eventually, they will be forced to drop these fees and just raise the ticket price. And the high-IQ folks at airline check in counters cannot keep track of all the rules and exceptions.

Airlines have had anti-trust issues re fuel surcharges, so ultimately I would expect the Feds to give them an OK to come up with a commond methodology for fuel surcharges.

PR_Flack_In_Training wrote:

These extra bag fees cannot be managed by airline software. Eventually, they will be forced to drop these fees and just raise the ticket price. And the high-IQ folks at airline check in counters cannot keep track of all the rules and exceptions.
Airlines have had anti-trust issues re fuel surcharges, so ultimately I would expect the Feds to give them an OK to come up with a commond methodology for fuel surcharges.

Why not upgrade the software. I think it's fair to charge for the second bag.

Robbin Marks wrote:

<quoted text>
Why not upgrade the software. I think it's fair to charge for the second bag.

If the system of charges is riddled with exceptions, exemptions and qualifications, then it is

1) too complex for humans to code it properly
2) too complex to be enforced consistentcly by humans at the counters

Fuel surcharges have been problematical for airlines because the Feds say it's an anti-competitive practice for them to talk. So they avoid going that route.

If there were a consistent methodology for fuel surcharges that would apply to all the airlines and all tickets- ie the waiver of an "extra charge" does not become a marketing issue, then that would be fair for everyone (even military travellers) and the airlines could recoup some of their costs.

However, if they had properly managed risk, like buying jet fuel swaps and other derivatives, at the appropriate time, then they would not need some government sanctioned anti-trust exemption. But since they have shown an ability to manage their businesses, then I would say give them some break.

But even this whole discussion shows that how unconsistent this baggage thing is. If you are a frequent flier you get some breaks? What if you are a platinum mixed with silver alloy frequent flyer? The guy behind the counter certainly will not know how to answer that one.

Unfortunately, neither will the poor software coder trying to get it right.

Military personel shouldn't have to pay for a ticket either. We defend the country and get shafted many many ways includind all taxes, transportation etc.

The problem with your comment is that you likely think the airlines should provide this for free. I would think that perhaps with military service the government will transport you anywhere in the continental US once per year while on active duty.

PROUD AMERICAN VET wrote:

Military personel shouldn't have to pay for a ticket either. We defend the country and get shafted many many ways includind all taxes, transportation etc.

So, the airlines are suppose to swallow the costs. While other capitalists get rich on the military selling them booze, equipment etc. So if these official duty people go to a restaurant, they should eat free.

jjjr wrote:

The gouging of military personnel was recinded when it became news and the public was outraged! The pencil pushers wouldn't know body armor from their laptop! The essential stuff to keep these guys alive in combat was just so much stuff to the pencil necked geeks! I see Southwest had recinded the charges for military personnel earlier this year, Thank you ,Southwest! Your patriotism will not go without acknowledgement!

jjjr,
Please explain just what a "pencil necked geek is" and why they would be less patriotic than anyone else. I have been in the airline business for many years and have not yet met anyone like you describe. I don't have figures to back it up but I would guess that most airlines have a higher percentage of veterans, than other industries.

Wow I am very surprised so many people are supporting the airlines and the policy for charging fees for checked luggage.

I have never understood how an industry can get away with such poor customer service, inconsistent fare pricing, rotten on-time performance records, and of course, inconveniencing passengers because they lose or miss direct said luggage; and yet when they are not earning whatever profits are needed to pay the extravagant bonuses to those CEO's and CFO's can get the Government (i.e. the very taxpayers who are treated so poorly in the first place) to bail them out!

I say let the airlines bill the Pentagon directly. As a U.S taxpaying citizen I'd rather pay for our soldier's extra bag than Glenn F. Tilton's new multi-billion dollar mansion.

Rowan wrote:

Wow I am very surprised so many people are supporting the airlines and the policy for charging fees for checked luggage.
I have never understood how an industry can get away with such poor customer service, inconsistent fare pricing, rotten on-time performance records, and of course, inconveniencing passengers because they lose or miss direct said luggage; and yet when they are not earning whatever profits are needed to pay the extravagant bonuses to those CEO's and CFO's can get the Government (i.e. the very taxpayers who are treated so poorly in the first place) to bail them out!
I say let the airlines bill the Pentagon directly. As a U.S taxpaying citizen I'd rather pay for our soldier's extra bag than Glenn F. Tilton's new multi-billion dollar mansion.

Is Glenn Tilton's multi billion dollar mansion just a little bit exaggerated? I have it on good authority he lives in a double wide in Peoria.

Old NWA Guy wrote:

<quoted text>
jjjr,
Please explain just what a "pencil necked geek is" and why they would be less patriotic than anyone else. I have been in the airline business for many years and have not yet met anyone like you describe. I don't have figures to back it up but I would guess that most airlines have a higher percentage of veterans, than other industries.

Gee another statement with not being able to produce facts. Your record of lying remains at 100%..

Spade a Spade wrote:

<quoted text>
Gee another statement with not being able to produce facts. Your record of lying remains at 100%..

Spade, you get dumber with every reply. Did I not say I don't have the facts about how many veterans work for the airlines but I was making a guess. Do you support the idea that airline employees are not patriotic and not many at all were ever in the military? Shame on you if you do, because you are insulting many thousands of airline employees who served their country.

Have you sent in your RSVP for IATA presentation dinner for your award ceremony? Times is getting short. Google was going to come, but he is going to be busy looking into McCain's Buddhist background.

Rowan wrote:

Wow I am very surprised so many people are supporting the airlines and the policy for charging fees for checked luggage.
I have never understood how an industry can get away with such poor customer service, inconsistent fare pricing, rotten on-time performance records, and of course, inconveniencing passengers because they lose or miss direct said luggage; and yet when they are not earning whatever profits are needed to pay the extravagant bonuses to those CEO's and CFO's can get the Government (i.e. the very taxpayers who are treated so poorly in the first place) to bail them out!
I say let the airlines bill the Pentagon directly. As a U.S taxpaying citizen I'd rather pay for our soldier's extra bag than Glenn F. Tilton's new multi-billion dollar mansion.

They are only charging for the second bag. Why shouldn’t people that have two bags pay more than people with one? That said, I think the luggage companies are going to have a hay-day selling all the great big bags!

You know, I hear a lot of complaints about lost luggage, but I’ve been pretty flying since ’78, and have had only one misplaced bag and that was back in ’89. I think that is just amazing given the volume flights, bags and people. Incidentally, the bag was late getting to Kennedy and the airline found it and ran it out to Fairfield Connecticut and dropped it at our door the next morning.

Old NWA Guy wrote:

<quoted text>
Spade, you get dumber with every reply. Did I not say I don't have the facts about how many veterans work for the airlines but I was making a guess. Do you support the idea that airline employees are not patriotic and not many at all were ever in the military? Shame on you if you do, because you are insulting many thousands of airline employees who served their country.
Have you sent in your RSVP for IATA presentation dinner for your award ceremony? Times is getting short. Google was going to come, but he is going to be busy looking into McCain's Buddhist background.

First of all I am a veteran..Secondly to even make a guess is pure speculation on your part. This is something you continually critizise on this board of others. You can't have it both ways either have proof in your statements or quit knocking others for speculating. Does it really matter if the airlines or any other industry has the most vets. Those that served no matter where they work now recieve my respect. Unless they lost that honor by becoming a SCAB.
Yes I have recieved my invitation. They seated me at table next to yours. Your reward for industry full of it will be handed out as the all time winner..

The FAA should have to approve all fair hikes that the Airlines
request ! John Q public has had enough of these excuses for
fare hikes ? D.C, Dudes let get back to work the _ell with that
Tax payer vacation ! DO something man and now ? Otherwise
we don't need you either !
Wake up America and fight for your rights NOW !

TURD ATTACK wrote:

The FAA should have to approve all fair hikes that the Airlines
request ! John Q public has had enough of these excuses for
fare hikes ? D.C, Dudes let get back to work the _ell with that
Tax payer vacation ! DO something man and now ? Otherwise
we don't need you either !
Wake up America and fight for your rights NOW !

Great name!

Twenty years ago when I started flying for business the fare to California without a Sat. night stay was about $1400. Now, with 2 weeks notice you can often get fares under $400, and at times in the past 5 years, about $200. there is no way the airlines can make money at that fare. I'm not a defender of the airlines, and I think this nickel and diming for blankets, soft drinks, luggage are silly - but the truth is, the airlines are losing billions. If we lose a giant, like American or Delta, there will be less competition on those routes and the fares will rise dramatically. Just try to fly to Fargo ND, where only NWA flies, and you will find it often costs $1000, when flying to MPLS often costs around $250.

TURD ATTACK wrote:

The FAA should have to approve all fair hikes that the Airlines
request ! John Q public has had enough of these excuses for
fare hikes ? D.C, Dudes let get back to work the _ell with that
Tax payer vacation ! DO something man and now ? Otherwise
we don't need you either !
Wake up America and fight for your rights NOW !

Spade a Spade wrote:

<quoted text>
First of all I am a veteran..Secondly to even make a guess is pure speculation on your part. This is something you continually critizise on this board of others. You can't have it both ways either have proof in your statements or quit knocking others for speculating. Does it really matter if the airlines or any other industry has the most vets. Those that served no matter where they work now recieve my respect. Unless they lost that honor by becoming a SCAB.
Yes I have recieved my invitation. They seated me at table next to yours. Your reward for industry full of it will be handed out as the all time winner..

So you are a veteran, bully for you. so are many of us. Do you want to compare war records? Probably not. "to make a guess is pure speculation" Think about that remark!! Did you have to think long and hard about that? Yes I was speculating about the airline industry having more veterans and I said I was. I still think it. You don't ever speculate, you make pronouncements which more often than not are wrong.
Yes I am going to be at he award ceremony to hear you mumble through your explanation of how the industry has been measuring load factor wrong for over 50 years.

Old NWA Guy wrote:

<quoted text>
So you are a veteran, bully for you. so are many of us. Do you want to compare war records? Probably not. "to make a guess is pure speculation" Think about that remark!! Did you have to think long and hard about that? Yes I was speculating about the airline industry having more veterans and I said I was. I still think it. You don't ever speculate, you make pronouncements which more often than not are wrong.
Yes I am going to be at he award ceremony to hear you mumble through your explanation of how the industry has been measuring load factor wrong for over 50 years.

I'll leave the veteran issue where it is as you trying to start some mud slinging toward them.
Do you listen to your self for amusement or do you believe you are seriously right all the time? You must be a ball to live with everyday. But then again you are SCABAIR. You missed the whole point(as usual) and went off the deep end (as usual) trying to talk away and change your story by lying.

Spade a Spade wrote:

<quoted text>
I'll leave the veteran issue where it is as you trying to start some mud slinging toward them.
Do you listen to your self for amusement or do you believe you are seriously right all the time? You must be a ball to live with everyday. But then again you are SCABAIR. You missed the whole point(as usual) and went off the deep end (as usual) trying to talk away and change your story by lying.

Any mud slinging towards veterans was started on this thread and then supported by you. I have never met an airline employee who didn't respect members of the military or veterans. Again I SPECULATE that the airline industry has more veterans than other industries. If you don't think so then fine. Why don't you go help your friend Googs look for Bigfoot or whatever looney idea he has this week.