American to charge $15 for 1st checked bag

[uppityperson]

Source: AP

American Airlines will start charging $15 for the first checked bag, cut domestic flights and lay off workers — probably in the thousands — as the nation's largest carrier grapples with record-high fuel prices.

American plans to cut domestic flight capacity by 11 percent to 12 percent in the fourth quarter, after the peak summer season is over. The carrier was previously planning a 4.6 percent cut....(more)

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080521/ap_on_bi_ge/american_airlines_reductions

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Maybe we'll get to a base ticket price of $10, then $15 for a checked bag, $15 for a carry on, $15 for wearing shoes and clothing, $10 for food, $5 to use the toilet, $20 for oxygen with another $50 for the option of emergency oxygen if needed, $10 seat belt fee, $10/glass of water, $500 fuel surcharge, $150 gate fee, etc etc etc.

But hey, the ticket only costs $10!!!

[LeftyMom]

1. That was the business plan at SkyBus.

"Maybe we'll get to a base ticket price of $10, then $15 for a checked bag, $15 for a carry on, $15 for wearing shoes and clothing, $10 for food, $5 to use the toilet, $20 for oxygen with another $50 for the option of emergency oxygen if needed, $10 seat belt fee, $10/glass of water, $500 fuel surcharge, $150 gate fee, etc etc etc.

But hey, the ticket only costs $10!!!"

They didn't last very long.

ATA also did the charging for food and water thing, and they're gone too.

The airlines should take a hint.

[panader0]

2. 15 for the first bag, 25 for the second, and 100 for the third!

No bullshit.

[uppityperson]

4. I wonder how full the overhead bins will be, and how heavy. AA statement...

People packing more and heavier into carry-ons. Guess that means sales of pocket knives will soar since you can't carry those on, must check.
From AA:
Customers who purchase domestic economy class tickets on or after May 12, 2008 but before June 15, 2008 may check one bag for free and check a second bag for $25 each way. Customers who purchase domestic economy class tickets on or after June 15, 2008 will be charged $15 each way for the first checked bag and $25 each way for the second checked bag. Our carry-on policy of one personal item (such as a purse or laptop bag) plus one bag remains in place.

The following customers will not be charged a service fee to check a bag provided the bag is within the weight allowance:

* For the first checked bag, customers who buy a ticket before June 15, 2008, or who fly before June 15, 2008
* For the second checked bag, customers who purchased a ticket before May 12, 2008
* Customers originating travel in the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico or Canada and traveling to an international destination beyond the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico or Canada
* Customers originating travel outside the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico or Canada and traveling to an international destination
* Customers who purchase full-fare tickets in Economy Class
* Customers who purchase Business or First Class tickets
* Customers flying on AA codeshare flights not operated by American Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection®
* Customers traveling on government or military fares
* Military passengers on active duty
* AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum® or AAdvantage Gold® members
* oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby members
* Customers flying on the same reservation as an AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum or AAdvantage Gold member or oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby member regardless of frequent flier status or fare type (not applicable to group bookings)
* AAnytime® Economy Class AAdvantage award tickets, MileSAAver(SM) or AAnytime First and Business Class AAdvantage award tickets
* First and Business Class upgrades confirmed prior to check in
* AAirpass travel

[spartan61]

3. I just hope my daughter still has her job with AA

when this is all said and done. She is a FA with AA and she and the other worker bees took huge concessions in 2003 to keep the airline out of bankruptcy. They still haven't snapped back to what their wages, vacation, work rules, etc. were back then. Of course the upper mgt have received their millions in bonuses the past few years, even while AA is losing millions every quarter.

[uppityperson]

5. Best of luck to her and the other peons.

Shaking my head here.

[LuckyLib]

8. My sister works for AA. Northwest has the same profile. Screw the employees, but those corporate

cats get millions in "bonuses" for bringing the company out of bankruptcy. Criminals all.

Paying for luggage? This is just the beginning!

[remember2000forever]

13. Love That Airline De-Regulation, Don't We? Thanks Reagan!

An Ex-Pan Am Flt Attendant, 25 years of service with a pension now of $165.00 a month

[freedomnorth]

6. Peak Oil is here.

And kerosene is hard to replace.

[Indenturedebtor]

9. Yep. Build trains NOW

I've been shocked at how cheap the ticket prices have stayed over the last 10 years. I'm still pretty surprised.

[libnnc]

7. oh just wait till they *really* start cutting back

pencil whipping maintenance inspections and shit like that

Safety isn't exactly cost effective anyways, ya know. :sarcasm:

[xchrom]

10. ok -- like trying to get OFF the plane isn't chaotic enough now? nt

[ReformedChris]

11. Who let Frank Lorenzo's greedy hide back into the airline business!?!?!?

Seriously, what the heck are they thinking adding such a stupid and unpopular charge to a customer base in a nasty economic climate? This is a very bad move for American and I would not be surprised if the other airlines do not match this increase and leave American to wallow in this stupid mistake.

[poppysgal]

12. Oh brother

where is this going to end up at? I guess we will all have to start using those vacuum seal bags (I already do) and just try to pack as little as possible, or better yet-stay home.:eyes:

[Scooter24]

14. We're lucky

because I have AA Platinum status that waives my bag fees. Anyone that books first or business class or has AA elite status is exempt from the baggage fees.

I can see the airlines doing what they need to do to raise money to become solvent. I just wish those AA execs would take a hard long look at reality before awarding them multi-million dollar bonuses.