Originally Posted by
Clue32
I agree to a point. There are some things that should be assumed by the carrier when providing the logistical support for the passenger so that they can acurately price each ticket. At some point the nickel and diming needs to stop as it will only irritate travelers and make them choose a different airline.
Almost everyone needs a bag so the cost to process and transport one checked bag should be included in the ticket. Most people will want a beverage, so include that as well.
Here are some current / proposed charges I do agree with.
1) Higher price for prefered seat: Why should I pay the same sitting in the middle of the middle on a wide body as folks on the aisle or window? 25 extra bucks for UA economy plus... I'll pay that every time.
2) Meals on domestic flights: I'd like a small snack for free sure (pretzles or crackers), but I'll grab an actual meal before the flight, after the flight or during my layover. I'm sure most others will as well.
3) Fee for carrying on roll-aboards: Slows down boarding and reduces leg-room for other passengers forced to put their small bags under their seats.
4) Second Bag fee: Forces people to pack only what they need. This fee needs to be kept reasonable though.
Fees I don't agree with
1) Over weight baggage penalties are way too expensive. These should be no more than the second bag fee.
2) Fuel surcharge: This is just a way to hide the true cost of the ticket from online shoppers until final purchase. It's like one airline who shows 200 bucks for a complete ticket and another one who shows 100, then on the final purchase page adds in the taxes, airport fees, security fees, and fuel surcharge and ends up charging 250 bucks.
You can't have it both ways. Either fees added in or they're not because what is acceptable to you might not be acceptable to someone else. That was the result of a big study late last year when all of these fees started ... well, got out of control (many were already there). People don't want to pay for a service that's included if they don't use that service. For example, "Don't make me pay for your crappy airline food, I brought my own lunch".
Personally, I think airlines are having an "identity problem". Maybe that isn't the best way to describe it. Do passengers want a seat from point a to b .. or do they want meals, a bar, child day care, pet services, airphones, internet, etc.etc.? Thinks about the bus and the train. You get a seat -- maybe a bathroom. If you're on Amtrak, you might have a meal car that you can choose to use.
SWA is pretty upfront, you don't get much but a drink and a seat. Enjoy. And their fare structure is as simple as it gets. And that is very successful for them. But even they have raised some fees and keep the airport, security, and tax fees out of their teaser quotes. So I'm not sure how accurate the "no fees" commercials really are.
I hate to say it, but, I think it would be nice if the government just required everyone to list what you're getting and the final price. They do it with many other industries ... for example, buying an automobile, getting new cell phone service. You know exactly what you're getting, what's included, how long you can return the item, and what your payment is.
Somehow, the airlines must change the passenger expectation on how much a ticket is. And teaser rates ($59 bucks to Austin) doesn't help. It only reinforces the notion that everyone expects to fly anywhere below cost.
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