Frustrated Flyer
During the holidays I had the pleasure of flying to a warm weather destination...although it turned out to be NOT much warmer than HERE!
I checked in at the airport...payed my baggage fees...and headed to the gate. I was surprised to see the number of "over-sized" bags in the hands of travelers getting on the plane. Then it dawned on me...they were avoiding the fees for checked bags and hoping to find room in the overhead.
Now, here is where it gets interesting.
MANY people could not find room in the overhead (and often the bag didn't fit in the bin). The flight attendants then offered to check the bags at the boarding door and promised people's bags would be waiting for them when they de-planed. I even watched people not even try to find a spot in the overhead bins...just handed the flight crew their bags as they got on the plane.
Here I am, with countless other travelers, (having played by the RULES and PAID our baggage fees) watching others DELAY our departure by the "baggage con" being played AND not paying like the rest of us!
I watched the same "game" on our way home!
My fix is this...use the credit card scanner they use to charge you for the $5 snack box or beverage...and start charging the cheaters! I am surprised the airlines haven't figured out the chaos and deception they created AND are not enforcing or fixing!
Your thoughts?
Greg Rye
1:06 pm on Thursday, January 12, 2012
Bigger and better idea.....CHARGE the cheaters DOUBLE if they check bags at the plane! That will put an immediate end to the "con!"
Jim Richter
9:53 am on Friday, January 13, 2012
I think your your anger may be misplaced. It is the airline scammers that are causing the problems,and not the customer.
Greg Rye
7:12 pm on Friday, January 13, 2012
Flying is a choice...and when you fly there are rules...LIKE, turning your electronic devices off before take-off (Alec Baldwin). My comments are purely observations...
I am curious...how is this an "airline scam?" Thanks for your comments! (AND, I am not angry...just frustrated.)
hwy12goph
6:03 pm on Monday, January 16, 2012
Carry on luggage is allowed but these were larger than that? Almost everyone brings a carry on now because of the rip off bag fees. The old planes do not have the room so this is where they have put themselves.
I can see it an issue if they are bigger than carry on's though if that is what happened.
Greg Rye
6:53 pm on Monday, January 16, 2012
The bags I am referring to would not fit in the overhead. I too don't like paying the fees! I am flying quite a bit this month...will monitor the situation and see if it really is chronic. My test case was two flights....I was curious if other traveler's shared my experience. Thanks for your comments!
Paul Pleiss
6:37 pm on Monday, January 16, 2012
silly. I don't know if everyone is trying to SCAM baggage fees, or just trying to avoid the hassle and time it takes to check a bag, and of course the possibility that your bag will be "lost" somewhere between your current location and your destination
Greg Rye
6:55 pm on Monday, January 16, 2012
You may be right...my instinct was it was about the fees. AND...you are right...checking bags (ESPECIALLY paying to check bags) is a drag. I have lost bags many times! Appreciate your thoughts!
Sara Christiansen
11:11 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
I agree with Greg. I believe that they gate check their bags on purpose and they should use the credit card scanners to charge them. I'm one who rather check my bags then use the overheard bin. It just holds everyone. I wish the airports would make people put their bags in the the "bin" they have by the security line to see if they fit. And if they don't, go pay for them!!!!
Greg Rye
9:25 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Hitting the air again this week...I will continue my "study"...CARRYING ON!!!!!