The carrier announced Tuesday that it will begin charging certain passengers to check their luggage on flights, a significant shift at the company long prized by consumers for its perks.
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I’m not outraged by this. They held out the longest. Pack better people. I went on a 12 day safari expedition in South Africa with only a carry on that was free. Even brought back souvenirs.
Every other major airline has charged for checked bags for years before Southwest changed up under new management. We’ve all enjoyed the peek and now it’s gone. Flying is a privilege. You can choose to save money by packing better or if you can’t, you’ll pay a fee. No need for drama.
I think this is going to cause a lot of people to bring their bags on the plane instead of checking them (I always check my bag). clog up the aisles, & make it so there's no room in the overhead bins. If the flight crew asks for people to be kind and check their bags, they will refuse. Fun!
Southwest's new checked bag fee policy has several exceptions. Preferred members of its loyalty program and customers who buy "Business Select" fares can check two bags for free, while other members of its loyalty program can check one bag at no charge.
As a musician, I used to always fly SW. then they refused to let me gate check a very expensive guitar and sent it through the baggage system. No more SW for me
My husband who is also a musician just flew United they wanted $300.00 round trip to check his instrument. Needless to say he ended up just using what they had at the event he participated in. It’s always a concern when checking an instrument how it is going to be treated as well. It sucks.
If your stock is plummeting in a climate where ppl are afraid to fly, ppl don’t have money to fly b/c they no longer have jobs and ppl who don’t see the point of going to natl park b/c they’re closed…
The best thing to do is add more fees.
That sounds as dumb as trumps tariffs.
They’ll likely never understand this. Americans, after all, accept without any significant pushback that they have zero healthcare guaranteed, zero days of guaranteed paid holidays and zero days of guaranteed maternity/paternity leave. America is a nation of people that gave up a long time ago.
You charge for bags I cancel your flight. You the traveler is getting less for higher price. In the mean time planes keep falling out of the sky and CEOs get bigger bonuses and buyback stocks.
If the stockholders weren't happy with the companies performance before wait for the change for checked baggage goes into effect. Then they're just like every other airline
gate checking is a signal that they’ve gotten as many bags to be self served as possible before needing to use airline labor and equipment to move the bags
I still don't understand why it's not reversed, and carry ons are charged and checked baggage is free. Lots of people would board and exit the g-d plane much faster if that were the case.
just guessing but i think it’s bc carryon is self serve, checked bags are heavier, use more fuel to get to the destination and use more airline labor and equipment getting the bags in and out of the plane and to the bag carousel 🎠
It is safe to say that free carry ons will soon go away too. Of course now everyone will want to bring a carry on to avoid checked bags. This will soon get out of hand and then carry ons will be paid too.
Every industry now monetizes every component of service. Cruises, airlines, rental cars, concerts, etc. People click a ‘deal’, get excited, get thru up charge process & excitement dominates and most will go forward w purchase. Hate it but they’ve learned it works & it’s highly profitable.
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My next flight I assume: landing safely is an extra $3, non-refundable.
Southwest's new checked bag fee policy has several exceptions. Preferred members of its loyalty program and customers who buy "Business Select" fares can check two bags for free, while other members of its loyalty program can check one bag at no charge.
Fuck Musk and all of his companies!
"...begin charging certain passengers to check luggage"
It's actually ALMOST ALL passengers.
Only A-List Members and Business Select fares get free bags.
Everyone else pays.
Maybe a better phrasing is:
"begin charging most passengers to check luggage"
https://onemileatatime.com/news/american-downgrades-threatens-embarrasses-brazilian-celebrity/
The best thing to do is add more fees.
That sounds as dumb as trumps tariffs.