While probaby no one appreciates having to pay additional money to airlines in the form of baggage fees, there is an equity issue due to personnel being lax during check-in.
Witness, this past Wednesday one lady flying on Delta Airlines from Philadelphia to Minneapolis managed to snag quite a lot of overhead space for free.
The woman was traveling with a boy in a stoller and a young girl, perhaps 8 or 9.
Attached to the stroller were 2 large plastic bags filled with boxes and other unknown items (one on each arm handle), as well as her purse. The mother had on a fairly large backpack as well towing a carryone suitcase with a large duffel on top. The young girl was wearing a large (and heavy) backpack and was pulling a suitcase on wheels.
The point is that airlines inform people well ahead of time that passengers are allowed one carryone and a personal item for such things as a laptop, etc. For women, purses do not count.
No matter how it breaks down, the amount of baggage this lady and her children were bringing along was over the "allowed" limit.
They made it through the check-in counter with all in tow and then proceeded to stuff every one of their items in the overhead bins, nothing below under the seats in front of them, thereby stealing quite a bit of space from others who were traveling.
There were several others waiting to board the same flight and, based upon their glances, did not appreciate the excess load being allowed for free.
That extended into the cabin as the mother (who was able to board first) took quite some time to stow the bags, packages and carryons, effectively blocking passage in the aisle to others.
There are also those many people who tow their "carryon" to the gate knowing full well it is too large for the overhead bin and simply check it at the gate for no charge and pick it up when they land.
The solution, of course, is quite simple.
Airlines should simply raise the ticket price $25 and not charge for baggage, at least for one or two.
Logically, it would seem, that the airlines would ultimately make more money as many people flying will still bring their one carryon to the gate, but would have paid the $25 extra as would all others.
The benefit would be that people who abide by the rules would not be penalized for those who get away without paying a baggage fee (and take up too much space in the overheads).
Food for thought.
Over For Now.
Main Street One
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