BAGGAGE FEES - AIRLINES SHOULD CHARGE BY TOTAL WEIGHT OF PASSENGER PLUS BAGGAGE

[thepiranha]

I think that it's extremely unfair that airlines charge passengers for their luggage when some passengers plus their luggage weigh less than other passengers without their luggage. For example, the combined weight for my wife and I is around 265 pounds. If each of us checks a bag weighing 25 pounds we will get charged $25 each for a total of $50, plus the cost of two tickets. Our total weight would be 315 pounds. If a 315 pound passenger is on the same flight, he or she will get charged only for the cost of one seat, even though that person weighs as much as my wife and I and our baggage combined.



The airlines claim that they are charging passengers for their baggage because of fuel costs, so those costs should be passed on to passengers in a fair manner. I believe that passengers should be given a weight allowance when they fly and they should be allowed to carry up to that allowance without being charged extra for their luggage. That weight allowance should be somewhere around 200 pounds and passengers should be charged around $1 for every pound that they exceed that allowance. Although it would be impossible to do this due to logistics, airlines could also reduce the price of a ticket by the amount of weight that the passenger is below the threshold. For example, a 150 pound passenger would get a $50 rebate if the threshold is 200 pounds.



An extra benefit of this plan is that people will have an incentive to shed those extra pounds he or she has been carrying around.



What do you think of this plan? Are there any valid points or am I just bitter because I'm skinny and don't like to subsidize someone else's excess avoirdupois?

[kyshel]

Interesting points and yep, you're barkin up the wrong place because the issue is not just baggage weight per person.
first--the airlines use a formula for weight per passenger--whether they are 12 yrs old, 70 pounds or 50 yrs old 250 pounds. It's a set # per person and it does take into account a certain amount of baggage per person. (I don't know what those actual figures are)
When a smaller aircraft has an allowance of X pax (passengers) and Y baggage plus Z cargo, they can determine if they can actually allow all tkt'd pax on board certain flights. (I have seen revenue pax told their flight is oversold due to weight and balance issues, while aircraft leaves with empty seats. Similar can happen with a 767, say flying from Tel Aviv, in the middle of the hottest season. Fuel expansion, cargo etc--flight is calculated by # pax, average formula weight etc and they can take off with some pax at the gate (sometimes even cargo) When you're sitting at the agte wondering why you haven't left yet, it frequently due to paperwork, clearing the mathematical issues of fuel, etc.

Number one concern is SAFETY.
If an airline is transporting your bag to and from where you leave it the costs per bag just for HANDLING are one thing. That means ramp workers, equipment, gasoline and electric engines moving your bag from A to B--conveyor belts, maintenance, union dues, workman's comp (packed that bag a little heavy for my back, eh mr. piranha?) etc. It's not just fuel--not by a long-shot. Worker injury, lost bags or theft claims (now let's toss the lawyers and litigation and insurance costs in there, too)
I recommend everyone weigh a typical packed bag and see how much it will cost you to ship it same day to your hotel. Might make you feel better? It won't change any time soon. But it is a misleading to say that airlines are charging for bags because of just fuel costs. Your personal weight has nothing to do with your baggage or ticket price, and no airline will charge that way in the near future.
PS--seriously doubt that anyone will shed their extra pounds because of flying cost changes. I can't imagine how much this new system will cost the airlines BUT you can BET you'll be paying for it--and that's AFTER the FAA permits it to happen. Can of worms!!Message Edited by kyshel on 06-03-2009 10:29 AM

[zhamied]

Good Morning all,



I too, doubt that airlines will risk great potential loss in sales by singling out us "fat folks", lol. As Kyshel mentioned, there's a bit more involved than just fuel. Further (as a former airline employee) I can tell you with confidence that most airlines would rather NOT take your baggage at all. Transporting passengers and shipping freight are the "money-makers" for the airlines. Baggage handling is considered merely a convenience for the passenger.



Take care all,