Comments on: Is Southwest Airlines about to start charging for checked luggage? http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: This Week in Travel #22 – Something in the Water… or the Air | Amateur Traveler Travel Blog http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/comment-page-1/#comment-30965 This Week in Travel #22 – Something in the Water… or the Air | Amateur Traveler Travel Blog Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:02:06 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=10430#comment-30965 [...] Is Southwest Airlines about to start charging for checked luggage? [...] [...] Is Southwest Airlines about to start charging for checked luggage? [...]

]]> By: JW http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/comment-page-1/#comment-30878 JW Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:33:21 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=10430#comment-30878 How many of you that complain about non-reusability buy a movie ticket expecting to be able to see the movie anytime you want? No, you buy the ticket for a specific time on a specific day. If you miss it, then too bad. The prices are different for different times of the day. Would it be fair to buy a matinee ticket and use it for the 8pm showing? No, you're not going to pay 30 dollars for a plane ticket and have the flexibility to fly whenever you want. That would be absolute chaos and no airline would be in business with such a model. How many of you that complain about non-reusability buy a movie ticket expecting to be able to see the movie anytime you want? No, you buy the ticket for a specific time on a specific day. If you miss it, then too bad. The prices are different for different times of the day. Would it be fair to buy a matinee ticket and use it for the 8pm showing?
No, you’re not going to pay 30 dollars for a plane ticket and have the flexibility to fly whenever you want. That would be absolute chaos and no airline would be in business with such a model.

]]> By: Power outages a growing concern in Collier County | Collier County FL Real Estate http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/comment-page-1/#comment-30867 Power outages a growing concern in Collier County | Collier County FL Real Estate Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:42:56 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=10430#comment-30867 [...] Is Southwest Airlines about to start charging for checked luggage? [...] [...] Is Southwest Airlines about to start charging for checked luggage? [...]

]]> By: FL Traveler and SW Fan http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/comment-page-1/#comment-30854 FL Traveler and SW Fan Thu, 14 Jan 2010 03:29:11 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=10430#comment-30854 While I definitely do not want to see a change in the "free bags," the part of this survey that troubles me the most is the reference to non reusable, and/or a fee to make changes to an existing booking. One of the major reasons I choose to fly SW is due to their flexible policies. When AA went to the $175 change/cancellation fee, they loss my business entirely. SW started as, and has remained, a class act and what I consider a very public - friendly airline. I realy, really don't want to see that change! While I definitely do not want to see a change in the “free bags,” the part of this survey that troubles me the most is the reference to non reusable, and/or a fee to make changes to an existing booking. One of the major reasons I choose to fly SW is due to their flexible policies. When AA went to the $175 change/cancellation fee, they loss my business entirely. SW started as, and has remained, a class act and what I consider a very public – friendly airline. I realy, really don’t want to see that change!

]]> By: David Z http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/comment-page-1/#comment-30846 David Z Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:05:25 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=10430#comment-30846 <blockquote>SW is not broken</blockquote> If their posted losses continue, then that's a different story.

SW is not broken

If their posted losses continue, then that’s a different story.

]]> By: preston http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/comment-page-1/#comment-30842 preston Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:29:30 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=10430#comment-30842 Charging for bags will be a problem, not especially for the $$, but because folks will starting bringing more and more crap into the plane. Anyone who has had the misfortune to fly Delta lately knows what I mean. The bins are jammed. Of more concern (to me at least) is the talk of charging for any schedule changes. That may prove to be the "deal breaker" as far as my wife and I flying SWest exclusively. We fly SW frequently, and this (IMO) is their best feature, the one item above all others, that makes them our number one choice. There is an old saying, "if it's not broken, don't fix it". Well, SW is not broken, yet I fear someone will try and "fix it" anyhow. That will be the ruination of the airline. Charging for bags will be a problem, not especially for the $$, but because folks will starting bringing more and more crap into the plane. Anyone who has had the misfortune to fly Delta lately knows what I mean. The bins are jammed.

Of more concern (to me at least) is the talk of charging for any schedule changes. That may prove to be the “deal breaker” as far as my wife and I flying SWest exclusively. We fly SW frequently, and this (IMO) is their best feature, the one item above all others, that makes them our number one choice.

There is an old saying, “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it”. Well, SW is not broken, yet I fear someone will try and “fix it” anyhow. That will be the ruination of the airline.

]]> By: H_X http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/comment-page-1/#comment-30834 H_X Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:11:19 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=10430#comment-30834 For me, the biggest appeal of reserving on Southwest is that they don't charge a change fee. So I'd much rather see a checked bag fee *if* Southwest "had" to add new fees. For me, the biggest appeal of reserving on Southwest is that they don’t charge a change fee. So I’d much rather see a checked bag fee *if* Southwest “had” to add new fees.

]]> By: TheFrequentFlyer http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/comment-page-1/#comment-30824 TheFrequentFlyer Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:48:27 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=10430#comment-30824 Survey is no surprise. They almost shot themselves in the foot with the whole "no fee zone" campaign. Thankfully that zone tape is no longer around their gates anymore. Southwest did post some quarterly losses in 2009. It will probably will continue in 2010 unless business travel turns around quick. They can't justify having red ink because of poor hedging bets anymore. The shareholders are going to demand they turn the ship around and make some $$$. You can see Gary and his team have come up with ways to raise revenue without being too intrusive. Such as entering new business-oriented markets. It was a great way to cut some frequency on poorly performing routes and put those planes on new routes. The addition of pets on-board fees, early board to grab another $10 from customers and the like. Believe it or not, the once-a-year-to-Orlando crowd are not the profit makers. Its the frequent business traveler that continuiously buys the business select fares for last minute trips. Thats the gold mine they are looking for. I"no fee zone" campaign forever. Survey is no surprise. They almost shot themselves in the foot with the whole “no fee zone” campaign. Thankfully that zone tape is no longer around their gates anymore.

Southwest did post some quarterly losses in 2009. It will probably will continue in 2010 unless business travel turns around quick. They can’t justify having red ink because of poor hedging bets anymore. The shareholders are going to demand they turn the ship around and make some $$$.

You can see Gary and his team have come up with ways to raise revenue without being too intrusive. Such as entering new business-oriented markets. It was a great way to cut some frequency on poorly performing routes and put those planes on new routes. The addition of pets on-board fees, early board to grab another $10 from customers and the like.

Believe it or not, the once-a-year-to-Orlando crowd are not the profit makers. Its the frequent business traveler that continuiously buys the business select fares for last minute trips. Thats the gold mine they are looking for.

I”no fee zone” campaign forever.

]]> By: Heather http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/comment-page-1/#comment-30822 Heather Wed, 13 Jan 2010 18:02:35 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=10430#comment-30822 To Candice- As another research professional I have to wonder if they are doing this research to prove to stakeholders that charging baggage fees would enrage customers...So Southwest customers, be vocal and let your opinion be known! That is why companies do research anyway.. To Candice-
As another research professional I have to wonder if they are doing this research to prove to stakeholders that charging baggage fees would enrage customers…So Southwest customers, be vocal and let your opinion be known! That is why companies do research anyway..

]]> By: Michelle B. http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/comment-page-1/#comment-30791 Michelle B. Wed, 13 Jan 2010 02:57:14 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=10430#comment-30791 In addition to the "Bags Fly Free" campaign blitz which would be a huge problem if they now start charging for bags, one other problem that SW would encounter is that the more an airline charges for bags, the more passengers will attempt to carry on what they wouldn't before. That considerably slows down the boarding process as people stuff things into overheads and run out of room and bags need to be gate checked, etc. Considering SWs pride in short turnaround times and on-time performances, charging for checked baggage would have significant impact on these 2 areas. In addition to the “Bags Fly Free” campaign blitz which would be a huge problem if they now start charging for bags, one other problem that SW would encounter is that the more an airline charges for bags, the more passengers will attempt to carry on what they wouldn’t before. That considerably slows down the boarding process as people stuff things into overheads and run out of room and bags need to be gate checked, etc.

Considering SWs pride in short turnaround times and on-time performances, charging for checked baggage would have significant impact on these 2 areas.

]]> By: Delta, Continental raise bag fees, will Southwest and JetBlue pack it in? | Tnooz http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/comment-page-1/#comment-30788 Delta, Continental raise bag fees, will Southwest and JetBlue pack it in? | Tnooz Wed, 13 Jan 2010 02:29:58 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=10430#comment-30788 [...] has been speculation that Southwest Airlines may abandon ship and begin charging for first-checked [...] [...] has been speculation that Southwest Airlines may abandon ship and begin charging for first-checked [...]

]]> By: Linda Frese http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/comment-page-1/#comment-30784 Linda Frese Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:29:44 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=10430#comment-30784 I just flew on Southwest for the first time and I loved it! I did pay the extra $10 each way for 'Early Bird' boarding and I think it was well worth it. It's amazing how quickly they can turn around a plane. I was also surprised that they served complimentary soft drinks and juice as well as peanuts/crackers. I know that's not much, but it's more than Spirit and US Air do. And there is significantly more leg room. Free checked bags is a definite plus. They shouldn't change anything! I just flew on Southwest for the first time and I loved it! I did pay the extra $10 each way for ‘Early Bird’ boarding and I think it was well worth it. It’s amazing how quickly they can turn around a plane.

I was also surprised that they served complimentary soft drinks and juice as well as peanuts/crackers. I know that’s not much, but it’s more than Spirit and US Air do. And there is significantly more leg room.

Free checked bags is a definite plus. They shouldn’t change anything!

]]> By: Caitlin http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/comment-page-1/#comment-30780 Caitlin Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:41:09 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=10430#comment-30780 @ T.Keyser "There seems to be a lot of focus on the possibility of a fee for checked baggage – which Southwest has stated they have no plans to charge for." "No plans" doesn't always mean "won't". Sometimes it's code for "we probably will but we haven't positively committed to it yet so it's not official policy". It strongly looks like it's something they're considering. @ T.Keyser “There seems to be a lot of focus on the possibility of a fee for checked baggage – which Southwest has stated they have no plans to charge for.”

“No plans” doesn’t always mean “won’t”. Sometimes it’s code for “we probably will but we haven’t positively committed to it yet so it’s not official policy”. It strongly looks like it’s something they’re considering.

]]> By: Rich http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/comment-page-1/#comment-30776 Rich Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:16:53 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=10430#comment-30776 I would also agree that Southwest earned my business equally due to no baggage fees and no change fees! Also, it is great that any residual credit can be used for another traveler, and the name does not have to stay the same. If Christi is reading these posts, please pass along the comments to please do not change the current setup for changing a ticket, as it is one of the best reasons to fly with Southwest and it really sets Southwest apart from the competition. I would also agree that Southwest earned my business equally due to no baggage fees and no change fees! Also, it is great that any residual credit can be used for another traveler, and the name does not have to stay the same. If Christi is reading these posts, please pass along the comments to please do not change the current setup for changing a ticket, as it is one of the best reasons to fly with Southwest and it really sets Southwest apart from the competition.

]]> By: Carver http://www.elliott.org/blog/is-southwest-airlines-about-to-start-charging-for-checked-luggage/comment-page-1/#comment-30774 Carver Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:42:36 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=10430#comment-30774 I'm not a SW flyer, but would people be willing to pay reduced air fare in return for paying for bags? I’m not a SW flyer, but would people be willing to pay reduced air fare in return for paying for bags?

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