Comments on: Airlines to Start Charging for a Second Checked Bag http://www.joeydevilla.com/2008/04/21/airlines-to-start-charging-for-a-second-checked-bag/ Joey deVilla's Personal Blog Sat, 10 Jan 2009 02:25:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1-alpha-10188 hourly 1 By: Chet http://www.joeydevilla.com/2008/04/21/airlines-to-start-charging-for-a-second-checked-bag/comment-page-1/#comment-12778 Chet Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:02:04 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2008/04/21/airlines-to-start-charging-for-a-second-checked-bag/#comment-12778 I know we're typically prisoners of the cities in which we live, and that A.C. may be a United stronghold, but down here in Redneck USA we mostly understand that they're dead last in any customer-focused metric. I live in Houston, which -- while hot and flat -- has the benefit of two of the best US airlines. For short flights, we've got Southwest; their 737s are still configured like coach seats from the 70s or 80s, with plenty of leg room for most folks (and comfier seats than any other major carrier's coach seats). For long hauls, we have Continental. They've butchered their coach seats like the rest of the majors, so they're not as cushy as SWA's, but the leg room is uniformly ok -- unlike United, they've not created a bifurcated coach section dominted by seats for amputees. None of this, of course, is likely to be useful to you. I know we’re typically prisoners of the cities in which we live, and that A.C. may be a United stronghold, but down here in Redneck USA we mostly understand that they’re dead last in any customer-focused metric.

I live in Houston, which — while hot and flat — has the benefit of two of the best US airlines. For short flights, we’ve got Southwest; their 737s are still configured like coach seats from the 70s or 80s, with plenty of leg room for most folks (and comfier seats than any other major carrier’s coach seats).

For long hauls, we have Continental. They’ve butchered their coach seats like the rest of the majors, so they’re not as cushy as SWA’s, but the leg room is uniformly ok — unlike United, they’ve not created a bifurcated coach section dominted by seats for amputees.

None of this, of course, is likely to be useful to you.

]]> By: Tom G http://www.joeydevilla.com/2008/04/21/airlines-to-start-charging-for-a-second-checked-bag/comment-page-1/#comment-12768 Tom G Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:19:47 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2008/04/21/airlines-to-start-charging-for-a-second-checked-bag/#comment-12768 Spirit Airlines charges for every checked bag. Spirit Airlines charges for every checked bag.

]]> By: Peter Lynn http://www.joeydevilla.com/2008/04/21/airlines-to-start-charging-for-a-second-checked-bag/comment-page-1/#comment-12767 Peter Lynn Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:09:55 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2008/04/21/airlines-to-start-charging-for-a-second-checked-bag/#comment-12767 At 5'7" or so, I fit quite comfortably into an airline seat. I just flew economy-class for about 17 hours from Hong Kong, and I was in the lap of luxury. It really offsets the increased earning power of tall men. Sure, you might get another $600 for every inch of height, but then you just have to spend it on airline seat upgrades. At 5′7″ or so, I fit quite comfortably into an airline seat. I just flew economy-class for about 17 hours from Hong Kong, and I was in the lap of luxury. It really offsets the increased earning power of tall men. Sure, you might get another $600 for every inch of height, but then you just have to spend it on airline seat upgrades.

]]> By: Chris Taylor http://www.joeydevilla.com/2008/04/21/airlines-to-start-charging-for-a-second-checked-bag/comment-page-1/#comment-12766 Chris Taylor Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:47:16 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2008/04/21/airlines-to-start-charging-for-a-second-checked-bag/#comment-12766 It's kind of ridiculous... If the problem were too many bags, charge for the carriage of an extra bag. The proper offset of high fuel prices is more expensive fares. The more expensive fuel is, the more expensive it is to haul our asses through the air, no matter how many bags we take along. But none of the airlines will dare to raise fares to the point where they are insulated from fuel price fluctuation, because some competitor will eat a loss and undercut them. The whole industry is busy racing to the bottom while ignoring economic reality. It’s kind of ridiculous… If the problem were too many bags, charge for the carriage of an extra bag. The proper offset of high fuel prices is more expensive fares. The more expensive fuel is, the more expensive it is to haul our asses through the air, no matter how many bags we take along.

But none of the airlines will dare to raise fares to the point where they are insulated from fuel price fluctuation, because some competitor will eat a loss and undercut them. The whole industry is busy racing to the bottom while ignoring economic reality.

]]> By: Eva http://www.joeydevilla.com/2008/04/21/airlines-to-start-charging-for-a-second-checked-bag/comment-page-1/#comment-12765 Eva Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:21:25 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2008/04/21/airlines-to-start-charging-for-a-second-checked-bag/#comment-12765 A friend of mine is 7 feet and actually has to book the seat that's at the very front (or sometimes the one at the emergency exit if that has more room too) because he really doesn't fit in the regular seats. A friend of mine is 7 feet and actually has to book the seat that’s at the very front (or sometimes the one at the emergency exit if that has more room too) because he really doesn’t fit in the regular seats.

]]> By: Sean Galbraith http://www.joeydevilla.com/2008/04/21/airlines-to-start-charging-for-a-second-checked-bag/comment-page-1/#comment-12764 Sean Galbraith Mon, 21 Apr 2008 21:12:15 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2008/04/21/airlines-to-start-charging-for-a-second-checked-bag/#comment-12764 At 6'4" it is remarkably unfortunate. Woe is the person in front of me who thinks they would like to recline their seat. Nay nay my friend. Not going to happen. At 6′4″ it is remarkably unfortunate. Woe is the person in front of me who thinks they would like to recline their seat. Nay nay my friend. Not going to happen.

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