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[inthelab]

Since I live close to a Southwest hub, I'm good - they allow two checked pieces of luggage now! Free!

Of course, silly cat that I am, my next trip is on Continental. It's just an overnighter, but I have seriously never brought luggage into the cabin (I despise people who do that) - now I have to go look up the 3 oz or so limits on liquids etc. that I've never had to worry about before. And with my luck, I'll bring just one change of clothes and spill coffee on them in the morning.

I remember a time when flying was almost comfortable. Way back when. Before the last ice age. There was leg room! A smoking section (and more fresh air in the cabin)! Occasionally, if you were really lucky, drinkable coffee! And I know you young ones won't believe this, but they even offered meals. Free. Bad, but free. And all you had to schlepp was your purse.

I remember when one dressed up to fly.
Those were the days.

[dr_c_b]

I remember when one dressed up to fly.
Those were the days.

I see people start doing that again.

[zarathustra]

I remember when one dressed up to fly.
Those were the days.

I see people start doing that again.

Because they can't check their luggage. 

Watch what you say about instruments (wags a naggy finger)!  Checking fine instruments, particular wooden ones that can crack if submitted to cold temperatures, is often not an option! 

I'm just glad I don't play cello--they usually have to buy seats for their instruments.

[helpful]

I just fly airlines that don't charge for bags. There are some, you know.

This is the devil's work to charge for baggage...it means more waiting as people lug heavy, small bags to put in the overhead compartments. There will be no control over this and tempers will flare...

[doctor_torrseal]

I remember when one dressed up to fly.
Those were the days.

I see people start doing that again.

Duh.  We're all wearing our back-up interview suits in case the airline loses the bag with our primary interview suits.  We just went over that in another thread.

Everyone you see on the airplane is on the way to a job interview, at this time of year.

[tenured_cat]

I'm wondering if the airlines that started charging for checked luggage are trying to justify firing baggage handlers - less demand, since more people are handling their own luggage, would make a seemingly logical excuse to cut that part of the airport staff. Does anybody have any knowledge of industry publications or lay-off numbers about this possibility? If that's what they're doing, I'm checking my luggage even with the fee.

[inthelab]

I'm wondering if the airlines that started charging for checked luggage are trying to justify firing baggage handlers - less demand, since more people are handling their own luggage, would make a seemingly logical excuse to cut that part of the airport staff. Does anybody have any knowledge of industry publications or lay-off numbers about this possibility? If that's what they're doing, I'm checking my luggage even with the fee.

I think a lot of it must be done by TSA these days, rather than by airline staff.
I had heard that the reason for the fee was to avoid raising fares.  Silly if you ask me; $30 on a round trip isn't going to make or break a trip for most people.

[csguy]

I'm wondering if the airlines that started charging for checked luggage are trying to justify firing baggage handlers - less demand, since more people are handling their own luggage, would make a seemingly logical excuse to cut that part of the airport staff. Does anybody have any knowledge of industry publications or lay-off numbers about this possibility? If that's what they're doing, I'm checking my luggage even with the fee.

And after they finish doing that they'll cut pay and then the executives will give themselves big bonuses.

CSGuy who flew American Airlines once right after they did that.

[tee_bee]

I'm wondering if the airlines that started charging for checked luggage are trying to justify firing baggage handlers - less demand, since more people are handling their own luggage, would make a seemingly logical excuse to cut that part of the airport staff. Does anybody have any knowledge of industry publications or lay-off numbers about this possibility? If that's what they're doing, I'm checking my luggage even with the fee.

I think a lot of it must be done by TSA these days, rather than by airline staff.
I had heard that the reason for the fee was to avoid raising fares.  Silly if you ask me; $30 on a round trip isn't going to make or break a trip for most people.

TSA is just scanning the bags. Putting them on and off the plane is the airlines--or their contractors'--responsibility.

Yeah, I remember free "food" and the smoking section (thank god that's gone) and dressing up to fly (my grandmother wouldn't let me wear jeans to fly from Seattle to Anchorage in 1976, for cryin' out loud). We also remember when airplanes were half empty because fares were sky high, choices of routes were few, there was no price competition, etc. I am not saying it's paradise now (not with the always popular 31 inch seat pitch and the no food for a transcon flight) but I daresay more of us have flown to meetings, vacations, etc. over the last twenty than could have afforded it prederegulation. And it's safer now too! Go figure.

[globalview]

I just took a 10-day trip to two different climates with one carry-on, a messenger bag, and an overcoat that I wore into the cabin. I have lived around the world (hence, my moniker), and I no longer trust checking bags. It's all about monochromatic, travel-friendly fabrics that pack down, and regular handwashing in the hotel. 3 oz. of liquids and gels lasts a long time--at least until your destination, where you can buy more.