CA has started charging for 2nd checked bag

[scubawife]

I still feel that what the 2nd bag fees will really succeed at doing is encouraging more people to be even more excessive with their carry-on bags... With the way the cabins are on most planes these days, wouldn't it be in everyone's best interest to get the big bags OUT of the cabin, not give reason to have more brought in?

And can someone explain the logic of the arguments that extra baggage = extra fuel expenses for checked bags, but not if the up to 40lb bag is brought in the cabin? Weight is weight. If it's really increasing operating costs then give everyone a TOTAL WEIGHT allotment, combined checked and carry-on and charge if you're over, regardless what class of service and whether the bags are checked or in the cabin. The way it stands now, the only winners are the baggage handlers who will have less to haul on and off the planes.

 

[scubawife]

That connection issue is a big one though on packages. For example, my trip in June is on a Sun country Flight out of Dallas. So while my flight from Denver to Dallas was only $150 RT to connect, the extra $50 would come into play and cost me more to get my bags to the charter. Same on many pacific trips that originate out of LAX.

Normally, I would have flown direct on Frontier, but they cut back on their flights to Cozumel. The charters out of Denver to many locations was on Champion, who ceased operations last month too.

So its a combination of things all hitting at once.

Is the Denver-Dallas leg on the same ticket as your Dallas-Cozumel flight? If it is and it was the airline's connection, then no worries. It's still an international ticket and shouldn't be subject to the 2nd bag fees.

If it's a separate ticket issued for a different airline, but done by the charter package company, then you should call them and see if they've got any provision for that since you would now have to be paying for the bags.

 

[ggunn]

I still feel that what the 2nd bag fees will really succeed at doing is encouraging more people to be even more excessive with their carry-on bags... With the way the cabins are on most planes these days, wouldn't it be in everyone's best interest to get the big bags OUT of the cabin, not give reason to have more brought in?

And can someone explain the logic of the arguments that extra baggage = extra fuel expenses for checked bags, but not if the up to 40lb bag is brought in the cabin? Weight is weight. If it's really increasing operating costs then give everyone a TOTAL WEIGHT allotment, combined checked and carry-on and charge if you're over, regardless what class of service and whether the bags are checked or in the cabin. The way it stands now, the only winners are the baggage handlers who will have less to haul on and off the planes.

What got me a couple of years ago was when one of my bags was 51 lbs and the other was 47 lbs and they made me move some stuff from one to the other or pay $50.

 

[Diver Kat]

I still feel that what the 2nd bag fees will really succeed at doing is encouraging more people to be even more excessive with their carry-on bags... With the way the cabins are on most planes these days, wouldn't it be in everyone's best interest to get the big bags OUT of the cabin, not give reason to have more brought in?

And can someone explain the logic of the arguments that extra baggage = extra fuel expenses for checked bags, but not if the up to 40lb bag is brought in the cabin? Weight is weight. If it's really increasing operating costs then give everyone a TOTAL WEIGHT allotment, combined checked and carry-on and charge if you're over, regardless what class of service and whether the bags are checked or in the cabin. The way it stands now, the only winners are the baggage handlers who will have less to haul on and off the planes.

Sounds reasonable to me ... my 2 checked bags are usually right around 40 lbs each - gear, clothes, gifts, etc., but my carry-on is probably less than 10. If I just wear my scuba gear, fill up my carry on to 40 lbs, I'm sure I'm can make it with one 50 lb. checked bag!!

On 2nd thought .. there is another advantage - less checked bags for the handlers to riffle thru and steal stuff! And less bags for the TSA nerds to play with! :11: But those flight attendants are going to really ticked when they can't close any of the overhead bins because everyone's carry-on is huge!!

 

[Diver Kat]

What got me a couple of years ago was when one of my bags was 51 lbs and the other was 47 lbs and they made me move some stuff from one to the other or pay $50.

Seen that one too many times with the people in line in front of me ... so I bought a small luggage scale. Makes it easy to even all the bags out.

 

[ggunn]

Seen that one too many times with the people in line in front of me ... so I bought a small luggage scale. Makes it easy to even all the bags out.

Yo tambien.

Digital Luggage Scale - Magellan's Travel Supplies

It works great.

 

[Diver Kat]

Yo tam bien.

Digital Luggage Scale - Magellan's Travel Supplies

It works great.

I'm jealous ... I have the old style version - not digital. But until I lose it or break it, I can't justify updating!

75 LB Luggage Scale With Tape Measure Free Shipping

 

[nereas]

It's fine with me if they charge. As long as I can get it onto the plane.

 

[scubawife]

What got me a couple of years ago was when one of my bags was 51 lbs and the other was 47 lbs and they made me move some stuff from one to the other or pay $50.

Had that happen once a few years ago coming back from the Keys. I only had one bag and with not yet dried out gear it was 51lbs. I asked the counter agent to try another scale and whatayaknow, it was 49! Going there with everything dry it was 47 and there was no way my stuff got 4lbs heavier.

 

[Sue Sue]

I still feel that what the 2nd bag fees will really succeed at doing is encouraging more people to be even more excessive with their carry-on bags... With the way the cabins are on most planes these days, wouldn't it be in everyone's best interest to get the big bags OUT of the cabin, not give reason to have more brought in?

And can someone explain the logic of the arguments that extra baggage = extra fuel expenses for checked bags, but not if the up to 40lb bag is brought in the cabin? Weight is weight. If it's really increasing operating costs then give everyone a TOTAL WEIGHT allotment, combined checked and carry-on and charge if you're over, regardless what class of service and whether the bags are checked or in the cabin. The way it stands now, the only winners are the baggage handlers who will have less to haul on and off the planes.

Your point about less baggage for the baggage handlers was a point of conversation I had earlier with DH. Perhaps, in the grand scheme of things the plan is to not only save money by transporting less weight, although, as you mention, the weight will now be moved to the carryon, but to also downsize the need for so many baggage handlers....hmmm,....it's a thought. However, the TSA people and the airline attendants will have more work due to the extra carryon issues. Just a thought. Sue