Airline Baggage Fees Solution
If you’re like me, you’re sick and tired of how the airline industry continues to come up with ways to nickle-and-dime us. To me, the worst, or perhaps the most unfair, are the fees on baggage. The idea of traveling without baggage is of course not possible. I’m not suggesting that we should be able to travel with unlimited bags, but what I am suggesting is that charging per bag is. There is a direct correlation between how much weight the airline carries and its fuel cost. So, why not charge by overall weight instead of the quantity of bags?
Here’s my solution, which I believe is the most fair way for both consumer and airline—charge by overall weight. Give each passenger an overall weight limit with the purchase of their ticket. Example: Each standard ticket gets an overall 250lb weight limit…so if you weigh 175lbs, then you get 75lbs of luggage for free. If you weigh 200lbs, then you only get 50lbs of luggage. When you check-in, you step on a scale with your luggage…if you are over 250lbs, then you pay a per-pound fee over and above the 250lbs. Make sense? Seems simple and logical to me…what say you?
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11 Comments
I like it. If bag fees are all about weight, you should consider the whole person too.
Right on! But that doesn’t mean you pack the “kitchen sink” (see my article on reasons for Packing Light).
Thanks Marshall and Rhonda!
What a great concept!
Yea, no I am over six foot three, at my skinniest days as a Marine I was 210 now many years later and about 20 pounds of good living would restrict me to only 20 pounds of luggage I don’t think so. It is bad enough the the length of my legs will barely allow me to fit in coach (and not allow the person in front of me to recline). There was a time when airline travel was a comfortable experience, where customer service was top notch and you were not treated as cargo. Air travel is now treated like a greyhound bus, charge an appropriate fee up front. I am quite happy to pay extra to the airlines that still have better service and do not pack you in like sardines.
Greg
Hi Greg, thanks for stopping by and posting a comment. The “250lb” number was just an example I used, clearly some research would need to be done in order to come up with a viable/reasonable figure. I completely agree with you on the other points…leg room, etc. is ridiculous. I will never fly China Air for those reasons…an international flight packed like a sardine for 15 hours is not my idea of fun. Cheers, Mike
No. I’m not even close to heavy at 6’7, 225.
Not to mention if a person is bigger, their clothes are heavier, because those, too, are heavier. It’s amazing how much more my girlfriend can get in her suitcase because she’s half my weight and a foot shorter.
Still doesn’t solve the fact that overweight passengers are making other passenger’s flying experience uncomfortable. If I buy a seat on an airline…I EXPECT not to have to share it with a fellow passenger. It is the Airlines responsibility to provide the level of comfort I paid for. Airlines need to figure out a way to segregate overweight passengers…just like they did when they allowed smoking in the cabin….
I see what ya mean…good point. Two different issues I suppose. Thanks for stopping by and sharing though. Cheers, Mike
I really like the idea Mike but, I think people would be self conscious to get weighed in, especially the over weight ones.
Hey Nina…thanks for stopping by and sharing. Well, they would be on the scale with their luggage, so no one would really know. 🙂