New checked bag fees...

[rick00001967]

unless you go business class i'm pretty sure all airlines allow 1 free checked bag this days

we use Westjet for our traveling and for second bag they charge $20, and its the same fee for scuba gear

we just used west jet into coz and back from cancun. it was reasonable cost like you said. 1 free plus 20 fro second (that is 20 each way of course) but west jet also allows 2 full size carry ons. not just 1 carry on plus a "personal" item. so we bought the biggest carry ons allowable (and fill them as much as possible) and also brought a pack sack each. we use the packs to carry the regs and other stuff. then check one bag for the rest of the scuba gear and one for clothes etc.
it would be impossible for us to pack for 2 weeks and get it all in two checked bags along with dive gear. i am glad they let us bring those carry ons.

 

[scubawife]

They charged me $200 to bring my bike down in the proper bike box/container - although I was paying for excess/oversized/sports equipment and had plenty of room in the box - I could not allow the box to exceed 50lbs unless it was only the actual bike exceeding that weight. Of course my bike is very light, but still, all I could shove int here were some clothes for "padding" and a few miscellaneous items

Wonder what they are going to do for the Ironmen/women in September (1/2 IM) AND November (Full IM)! It's ridiculous considering how light the bikes really are!!!

It is truly no longer Continental - United all the way now - including the rude flight attendants and United attitude! I REALLY miss the old IAH - CZM flight crew!

People we met on the plane last year who were coming in for Ironman, they all used a company called TriBike Transport that contracts with Ironman. I think it was around $300 round-trip for them to ship a bike from their home cities to the race location. For a small extra fee they could also ship a "sports bag," (I assume that would be with additional race gear?) This company seems to be the way most of them from the US ship their bikes for any of the Tri's they compete in. If the airline charged $200 each way, I can sure see why.

With the number of flights reduced, ticket prices still on the rise, and the ever increasing extra charges, dive travel is slowly starting to lose it's appeal. With dive gear, photo and video gear, and clothes for a few weeks, there's really no way to avoid an extra bag. It's getting to the point that for 2 people, adding up the total cost of flying (all the extra charges included), it's close to or sometimes more than the cost of accommodations at the destination. For myself at least, the days of the quick 5-7 day getaway are over. Can't justify the cost for that short time. Almost everyone I know who used to do multiple trips a year has cut down to 1-2 in the last couple years.

The destinations are the ones who suffer in the airline craziness. Less flights = less people to start with. Then the accommodations and service providers have to run promos, or at least can't raise their prices... even though their costs do go up... because with the cost of air travel, people just won't spend more on the land portion. They're still looking for the total trip cost to be in a certain range.

 

[t4e]

we just used west jet into coz and back from cancun. it was reasonable cost like you said. 1 free plus 20 fro second (that is 20 each way of course) but west jet also allows 2 full size carry ons. not just 1 carry on plus a "personal" item. so we bought the biggest carry ons allowable (and fill them as much as possible) and also brought a pack sack each. we use the packs to carry the regs and other stuff. then check one bag for the rest of the scuba gear and one for clothes etc.
it would be impossible for us to pack for 2 weeks and get it all in two checked bags along with dive gear. i am glad they let us bring those carry ons.

you're right about carryons 10kgs each you can pack a lot of stuff, i hope it lasts though

come to think of it there's some airlines that even charge for the first checked bag, depending on where you travel

 

[rick00001967]

With the number of flights reduced, ticket prices still on the rise, and the ever increasing extra charges, dive travel is slowly starting to lose it's appeal. With dive gear, photo and video gear, and clothes for a few weeks, there's really no way to avoid an extra bag. It's getting to the point that for 2 people, adding up the total cost of flying (all the extra charges included), it's close to or sometimes more than the cost of accommodations at the destination. For myself at least, the days of the quick 5-7 day getaway are over. Can't justify the cost for that short time. Almost everyone I know who used to do multiple trips a year has cut down to 1-2 in the last couple years.

The destinations are the ones who suffer in the airline craziness. Less flights = less people to start with. Then the accommodations and service providers have to run promos, or at least can't raise their prices... even though their costs do go up... because with the cost of air travel, people just won't spend more on the land portion. They're still looking for the total trip cost to be in a certain range.

well said. i think you are absolutely right.

 

[PARADISE HUNTER]

The problem with all of the carryons is that there are now to many and they are often two big for the overhead space. The past few flights I've been on have left late. The flight attendants are busy looking for space for everything or they have to check them last minute into the checked baggage area. The high bag fees have really made a mess of things imo.

PH

 

[Mike]

The other problem with all the carry ons is the g-damn hour it takes to deplane from the friggin plane now!!!!

By-the-way I just saw an article about spirit airlines, they are now charging $40 for a carry-on if it doesn't fit under your seat.

 

[azscubadude]

By-the-way I just saw an article about spirit airlines, they are now charging $40 for a carry-on if it doesn't fit under your seat.

Spirit Airlines charges just announced..

1. One free personal item (purse, briefcase, etc) no bigger than 16" x 14" x 12" (must fit under seat)(not the normal sized carry-on for all other airlines)

2. Normal carry-on sized bag (what is now free on every other airline) and (if paid for during online check-in) is now $35.00, as of 11/6/12 will be $40.00

3. Normal carry-on if done at counter kiosk is now $40.00, as of 11/6/2012 will be $50.00.

4. Carry-on bag if not done at online check-in or kiosk and done at gate check-in is now $45.00, as of 11/6/12 will be $100.00.

Can you see why they are doing this. If you wander down to the gate with your carry-on thinking it is free it will cost you $100.00 per passenger. OR (the real reason for it) if you make a connection from another airline and go directly to the Spirit gate, you will get to the gate and be hit up for $100.00 for each person (so a couple pays $200.00, or a family of 4 gets hit for $400.00) when the flight you just came off carry-on's were free.

The only way out of paying the $100.00 per (if you even have the time) will be to go OUT of TSA security, go to the kiosk at the ticket counter, pay for your bag ($40.00 per, soon $50.00 at the kiosk) then go back thru TSA security.. etc. How many people will do this, and don't you think they know it !!

So all carry-on bags on Spirit have a fee between $35.00 and $100.00 just depends on where you pay for it at and as of 11/2012 it will be the higher prices.

Above taken right off their website..

Spirit Airlines - cheap tickets, cheap travel

How much does Spirit charge for bags?

 

[Prop Joe]

My hometown airline and I know some good mechanics that work there. It's the other employee attitude's I can do without...
United Airlines Hurt By Passenger And Employee Complaints - Business Travel - Portfolio.com

I really liked the old Continental and would seek their plane's at every opportunity. The new United will suck just as the old United did. United used to be nice as well but its been decades since I've booked United airlines for their service.

On AA if you get their CC card the 1st bag is free.
Citi Cards
I've done 16K and 13 legs on AA already this this year and have on another 6 legs planned in June all with AA. You can sometimes upgrade seats within 24hrs of departure on AA.
YMM really V, depending on your mileage reward status.

---------- Post added May 4th, 2012 at 05:42 PM ----------

What Spirit is trying to do is reduce the TSA lines. I'm not sure I agree with the method but I understand what they are trying to do, by charging for carry-on bags. The other airlines have bottle necked everyone at the TSA checkpoints by everyone trying to bring all of their belongings as one or two carry-on's that fits in the overhead bin and under the seat. This saves the passenger money but takes more time to go through security for everyone. It sucks if your on a quick business trip with a backpack, you still have to wait in TSA lines. I did the TSA trusted traveler program and never looked back because of this.

 

[azscubadude]

I really liked the old Continental and would seek their plane's at every opportunity. The new United will suck just as the old United did. United used to be nice as well but its been decades since I've booked United airlines for their service.

Interesting article. On my last United trip to CZM (last month) PHX to IAH, IAH to CZM and back, all four legs of the trip were between 30 to 60 minutes late (every one). Glad I started leaving a minimum of 3 hours layover time between flights, IAH is way to big to be running for a flight, which I had to do (dead run) on a previous trip where I only left 1-1/2 hours between flights (same airline, even with GOES), delayed flight and TSA were the culprits on that one.

I did the TSA trusted traveler program and never looked back because of this.

Agreed.. now if TSA would get off their butts and open it up to more airports it would be great. I'm signed up with my GOES number but no airports I travel through have it as of yet.

 

[t4e]

The other problem with all the carry ons is the g-damn hour it takes to deplane from the friggin plane now!!!!

seriously, why is that?