Main Menu

Member Log In

Polls

Global Warming

Nepal Tourism News / Understanding and Outrage From Air Travelers

Mr. Rosenthal, 19, had checked two large suitcases at LaGuardia Airport ? ?my stuff from the year? ? for a flight to Kansas City on Wednesday when he learned that American planned to impose a fee beginning June 15 for checking the first bag, a service that has long been free. ?That?s annoying,? he said, with a look of bewilderment. ?So it?s going to cost me at least $30? to return to school in the fall. Actually, Mr. Rosenthal is likely to pay about $40 if he comes back to campus with the same two suitcases. Earlier this month, American joined other airlines in adding a $25 fee to charge a second bag. None of the other carriers rushed to join American in adding the first-bag charge, but several said they were studying the idea. That did not sit well with Grace Pineda, 43, who was en route to Miami for the Memorial Day weekend with her children, Ramon, 10, and Claudia, 8. ?Are you kidding me?? Ms. Pineda said. ?It just seems like if they are going to hit me with a fee they might as well add it to the ticket price. They?re trying to nickel and dime us.? Ms. Pineda, who managed to pack the family?s belongings in one suitcase, said she would rather pay the additional $15 as part of the fare. ?If it?s $160 to Miami and if they charged me $175, I?d pay it,? she said. Ms. Pineda might be exempt from the fee. American said it would not charge members of its frequent-flier program who have achieved elite status. But that might not guarantee that the airline will get her business. ?I have so many frequent-flier miles with American, I would be reluctant to change, but I would be interested I looking at other options,? she said. ?The loyalty of the customer is not reciprocated.? Other travelers voiced sympathy for the airlines, which have seen fuel prices rise 82.5 percent in the same year. ?The customers will just have to deal with it, just as we?ve done at the gas pump,? said Maryann Vognild, 32, who was traveling home from New York to St. Louis with her husband, 3-year-old daughter and mother. But the travelers said they felt badly for sky caps, who have seen their gratuities evaporate as the airlines have instituted charges for curb-side check in. ?People are not going to be tipping them as much,? Ms. Pineda said. ?It takes away from their own employees at the end of the day.? ?It?s not these guys? fault. They?re doing their job,? said Mr. Rosenthal, the Yeshiva University student. He said he might re-examine his travel habits over the summer. ?Flying is always going to be expensive,? he said. Instead, ?I might start road tripping.?