spirit charges for more than 1 bag

[mssuzan]

An article in the Tampa Tribune said that Spirit will be charging for additional baggage of any weight. Bag 1 under 50# is free. Bag 2 cost is $10 and bag 3 cost is $100. I imagine that this will greatly increase the number and size of carry ons that people will be trying to cram into the overhead bins. Personally, I feel that a charge for bag 2 is unfair. Although I do not have children, it is unfair to parents who need to bring car seats when they travel.

[Dave M]

I don't agree that it is "unfair". Think of it as a small airfare increase applicable only to those who need the extra baggage. Fare increases are coomon. It seems much more fair to apply this charge on a user basis than to apportion it to all travelers as a general fare increase!

Spirit Air has a low-cost model that requires closely controlling costs. The very restrictive baggage policy is one way the airline does that. Each low-cost airline has its own formula for ensuring lower costs than the large legacy airlines incur.

From a practical standpoint, it's not a big deal. Currently, you can check two bags free and a third is $100. After February 9, the third bag still costs $100 and the second costs $10 instead of being free. I doubt that the $10 charge for that car seat or other second checked bag will scare away many passengers.

Incidentally, it's not likely that the change will result in carry-on baggage mania. Spirit is sticking to its strict one carry-on rule. It's more restrictive than most airlines, which essentially allow two carry-on bags (with the second being a laptop, backpack, purse or other personal item). Those second items on other airlines are often huge! Thus, Spirit generally has a lot more empty space in its overhead bins than most other airlines do.

[talkamotta]

Most of us need to learn how to pack lighter. We stay in a timeshare. They have washers.

[mssuzan]

I don't think that I referred to additional carry ons as a "carry on Mania". That term seems excessive.

[Kauai Kid]

Any truth to the fact that Spirit Airlines is considering weighing passengers and charging so many dollars per pound to fly you somewhere? That way the heavier passengers pay more because they consume more fuel than the lighter folks. That should help their bottom line and perhaps that of overweight passengers.

Sterling

[Pila]

Well I can add another airline to the list to avoid, along with Island Air. Anyone who flies with golf bags will look elsewhere for an airline. Must do wonders for people flying to Myrtle Beach. If you look at their website, they say that they will only accept a second checked bag if they have room. Tough luck if you show up to the airport with a second bag and there is no room.

[AmyL4408]

I would not have minded the 1 bag per person rule, until the whole liquid thing....


Now I put all of our beauty & hygine products in a small suitcase by themselves. Both times I have done that there has been some leakage. I would definitely not what those liquid items in with my clothes, and then have leakage.

[Pila]

If I copied it right, here is a link for the story on ABC.

http://us.video.aol.com/video.index.adp?pmmsid=1842679

[dougp26364]

I think you're likely to see this as a growing trend among airlines as they desperatly search for ways to either increase revenue or decrease costs. Allegiant Airlines started charging a $4 each way fee for checked bags some time back. Many airlines have started charging for food and soft drinks. I'm certain more nickel and dime charges will be following as each airline looks at ways to pass cost onto passengers in their own way without increasing their fares outright.

[JeffW]

From an airline's perspective, it's a perfect time to implement a checked baggage charge. In the past, people might have just brough more onboard. However, will all the new restrictions on what can't be brought onboard, plus the extra delays in having those bags inspected, more people want to check bags.

What airlines better watch out for is baggage delivery times. That $10-$40 that passengers pay for extra bags isn't going to go over too well if it still takes 45 minutes for bags to come out onto the belt. It would be nice if they put some of that money towards better service.

Jeff

[Kauai Kid]

Originally Posted by Pila

Well I can add another airline to the list to avoid, along with Island Air. Anyone who flies with golf bags will look elsewhere for an airline. Must do wonders for people flying to Myrtle Beach. If you look at their website, they say that they will only accept a second checked bag if they have room. Tough luck if you show up to the airport with a second bag and there is no room.

Are you talking about Island Air in Hawaii??

Sterling

[dougp26364]

Originally Posted by JeffW

From an airline's perspective, it's a perfect time to implement a checked baggage charge. In the past, people might have just brough more onboard. However, will all the new restrictions on what can't be brought onboard, plus the extra delays in having those bags inspected, more people want to check bags.

What airlines better watch out for is baggage delivery times. That $10-$40 that passengers pay for extra bags isn't going to go over too well if it still takes 45 minutes for bags to come out onto the belt. It would be nice if they put some of that money towards better service.

Jeff

Service? In the airline industry? Are you nuts? That might make for happier customers, stonger loyalty and higher profits. Most airlines seem to have a problem with that.

[Pila]

Yes, it is Island Air of Hawaii. They have a combined limit of 50 pounds for both items, not 50 pounds per item. That is why I prefer Aloha or Hawaiian, because they don't have restrictive limits. Just about wherever I go, I take my golf clubs. I really enjoy playing golf on Kauai, so I would hate to have to leave the clubs at home. Without the clubs, I would have no problems meeting weight limits. If it were not for these restrictions, I would not mind flying with Island Air. Turboprops are better for looking out the window at the scenery. Besides that, it is a change of pace in that flying in 737 or MD-80s/B-717 is commonplace. Many years ago, I enjoyed flying Mahalo Airlines, but they did not have the restrictions. Between go! Airlines and the weight restrictions, they must be losing passengers.

From Island Air website:

Free checked-in luggage allowance (including golf bags) is 2 pieces at a combined total weight of 50 lbs./22 kg. Excess weight and oversized items (e.g., surfboards, bicycles, kennels) will incur an additional fee and will only be accommodated if space is available.

[Pila]

Well, Spirit has upped the ante now. The paper says that Spirit is going to charge for all checked luggage. It will be $5 for each bag up to 2 bags if you book on their website and $10 per bag if you book by other means. They are going to start charging for all drinks; only water will be free. They are going to charge $1 for coffee, tea, soft drinks, and juices. This really sounds like an airline people need to avoid.

[JLB]

Allegiant charges $4 per bag, with a limit of 2. Since one of mine is golf clubs, that makes us think about what we are taking.

In our case, since we share our timeshares with others, we also have to think about what they are taking when it comes to the rental car/semi truck and trailer.

I can do two weeks in Florida on a pair of swimtrunks/jammies, a couple of T-shirts, a couple or three collared golf shirts, a pair of dress slacks, a couple pair of dress shorts, one pair of my finest dress tennis shoes, a pair of beach shoes, a light jacket, and the stuff you don't see.

But, don't dare try to tell those folks who go with us to try to economize their packing.

[Htoo0]

Our paper states Spirit is going to charge $5 per checked bag for 1st two and $100 or more for the 3rd. Also charging for sodas and snacks. Doesn't mean it's not still a great deal but people need to be aware of the possible total costs when making comparisons.

[JLB]

Allie-Giant charges for everything, but we can go for a couple hours without a soda and a snack. Seems like someone in our group brings a little package of goodies, and we get a bottle of water once we're passed security at the airport.

We played games organized by the flight attendants on the way home in January, and it made those two hours go really fast. Folks won prizes, quite a few. And money (don't tell).

Ooh. I just had a bad thought about security, but I don't want to give anyone any ideas.

[BSQ]

Originally Posted by AmyL4408

I would not have minded the 1 bag per person rule, until the whole liquid thing....


Now I put all of our beauty & hygine products in a small suitcase by themselves. Both times I have done that there has been some leakage. I would definitely not what those liquid items in with my clothes, and then have leakage.

try putting your beauty products in ziploc bags. I put similar items together. Like shampoo & conditioner. Lotion separate, tanning lotions etc. that way if something urps out of it's container, it doesn't make a mess on everything.

[Kay H]

I just flew Spirit yesterday from Cancun to Atlantic City with a stop over in Ft Lauderdale. One check in bag 50 lbs or less for free. One carry on bag plus one personal carry on... purse or brief case. Soft drinks and juices on board are still free.

[Carolinian]

Many of the European LCC's have always had charges for extra bags and more recently some are charging for any checked bags.

However, as one who travels light, I could care less. I always try to use only carry-ons, to avoid the time delay in picking up checked bags and so the ''baggage mishandlers'' or ''luggage throwers'' won't have a go at my bags.

What really got my goat was when our federal security folks overruled the old Delta policy that allowed one garment bag as well as one regular carry-on in the cabin. Although I did not take both that often, it was sometimes helpful for a long trip.

Another policy that irritates me is the lower carry-on weight limit on most European carriers. At least with Air France, I have found that I could take wine bottles out of my carry-on to make the weight limit and temporary put them in a plastic bag, then put them back in the carry-on once I was past security. Now with the restrictions on liquids, I have to take a risk with checked luggage and hope the luggage throwers are not too rough when I am bringing back wine.

The carry-on policy of one LCC I really like is that of EasyJet. Their only weight restriction on a carry-on is that it is ''reasonable'' and that one person can heft it into the overhead by himself without assistance.