When I read this week that Spirit Airlines is planning a carry-on bag fee, I just rolled my eyes and thought, well here we go again. The great airline baggage fee debate gets crazier every day.
I recently flew United Airlines back to Louisville, Ky., where my parents live, so I could drive up for the NCAA Final Four championship games in Indianapolis. I knew it had been a year or so since my friend had flown, so I called him up to remind him that if he was taking a regular bag in addition to his golf clubs, he was facing about $55 in additional baggage fees each way.
At first he didn't believe me, but once he checked, he quickly decided to just take a carry-on, and pay the $25 for the golf clubs since we were also planning on a few games of golf in between watching the night games.
But as we all know now, the jamming and squeezing of everyone's carry-on bags is just another inconvenience we all face as we board and exit the planes.
And for the direct flight back to Kentucky, we were flying a much smaller regional jet, which means that most people with carry-on had to get a small green tag for their bags, which were then stowed in some secret compartment separate from other baggage. That meant another wait for everyone to pick up their carry-on bags after arrival.
When we left Louisville, United also did not assign seats until shortly before departure. I know there must be some reason for this, but if the poor airline clerk was left telling nearly every arriving passenger they would need to wait a bit for their seat assignment. I sat there and listened as she said the same thing at least 30 different times. Is this really the most productive way of using employee time.
As passengers these days, we're all more anxious and a bit nervous. We fret about whether our shampoo bottle will pass muster; we worry that we'll be pulled over for a body search. Forget about worrying about a terrorist lighting up his shoes, you have to worry that your socks don't stink too much as you pull your shoes off to go through security.
All I'm asking is that the airline companies find some ways to make traveling enjoyable again. I think most the airline employees are working hard to be friendly, but all of the penny-pinching is getting to them, too.
I know that we'll soon have to pay again when wireless Internet comes to the airlines. But wouldn't it be nice if that was a freebie? How about giving everybody a bag of pretzels or chips again? Just a few friendly gestures would really be nice.
Too many of us today really think hard about traveling if it means flying rather than driving. A nice local trip that avoids the airport starts to make sense when you factor in all the hassle factors of flying.
I have another reservation on Frontier to fly back to Kentucky for some Derby parties, some golf and some days betting a little at Churchill Downs. I'll be paying extra to take along my clubs, as well as a bag of clothes. And I'll take my own bag of peanuts.
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