Baggage Fees

Then should ticket price be based on weight, also? <G>

In the old days individual passenger weight was important to plane safety.

 

Southwest does not charge baggage fees for luggage under 50 lbs.

 

Yes, but then you have to fly Southwest...

 

OK?

 

Personally, hate flying Southwest and rarely, if ever, find their fares that much more competitive than the other airlines. Plus, they alway use tier two airports which make it less conducive when flying on business.

 

ahh...well I fly about 3 or 4 times a year. Not much but I like the no baggage fee. when that is considered they are very competitive. Especially if the whole family is flying.

 

If I can, I try to use carry on anyway. Not only do you not have to wait for the luggage (which can be quite a while in certain airports IF they don't lose it), but it also provides a little more flexibility if you need to change flights.

Also (unfortunately), I fly often enough where I'm not charged a fee if I fly certain airlines.

 

I've flown southwest about 6 times in the last 18 months. Haven't had a bad experience yet.

 

You old romantic you

 

In the old (pre-dereg) days flying was a BIG deal because of the expense. Now that the economic bubble has popped and we are regressing to the old days flying is becoming a big deal.

 

no baggage fees involved in tossing a duffle bag in the bed of the truck, or car trunk.
Plus, the foods better.

 

Depends on where you're going.

I love driving. But unfortunately my family now lives about 16 hours away.

If I'm traveling alone, it's not hard for me to find (even now) a 250 dollar plane ticket. I'm going to spend every bit of that in gas, and food, possible hotel (if I don't feel like driving 16 hours) and blow over a full day traveling.

So I can do the trip in about 3 1/2 hours total (flight plus arrival). Even if I had to pay a bag fee, I still can't compete that with driving.

Now, when I start to look at my wife and kids coming with me, then how we travel (car vs flight) and what airline(s) we choose when flying add up.

But man oh man, do I miss the road trip days and going to college football games all over the country in my old dodge caravan.

 

There is certainly a trade off between flying and driving. For me the driving is always the better option unless it is a physical impossibility. I understand why many disagree, but for me this is how it is.