Flying United to DC16? Better pack lightly or have a padded wallet...

[bluknight]

Re: Flying United to DC16? Better pack lightly or have a padded wallet...

It's almost cheaper to Fedex your luggage overnight.

It used to be 2 bags per ticketed passenger up to 50lbs each, for most airlines.

It still is for some. I think it's kind of a ripoff in the name of profits myself, but what can you do, eh?

[beakmyn]

Re: Flying United to DC16? Better pack lightly or have a padded wallet...

It's almost cheaper to Fedex your luggage overnight.

It used to be 2 bags per ticketed passenger up to 50lbs each, for most airlines.

[bluknight]

Re: Flying United to DC16? Better pack lightly or have a padded wallet...

This is the kind of thing that has pushed me into renting a car, and driving, in preference to flying. I'm glad to be able to take two days to get somewhere, rather than just having a full day sucked down into the evil of flying, and having *everything* that I wanted with me. I don't have to worry about searches, or having my nice, unwrinkled clothes looking like the bargain bin at the Goodwill.

[...]

I confess I'm considering a 3-day drive, now, as less unpleasant than flying.

Living in Montana, I'm about an 8-hour drive (550 miles) from the closest major city (Denver, near where I grew up actually). As such, I find it much more convenient to eat the mileage and the time and drive down there as well, even for just a weekend, unless I need to be 'there in a hurry'. And, unfortunately, I have much the same reasons as you, shrdlu. WTF happened to actually getting SERVICE out of public servants?

Of course, i'm still looking at flying to con, just because sucking the extra time out for driving may not be an option this summer. Lots of busy stuff at work. Convenience and necessary expedience winning out over private liberty sucks.

[beakmyn]

Re: Flying United to DC16? Better pack lightly or have a padded wallet...

You know 18 bottles* of beer would fit into duffel back and be under the 50lb limit. Now how am I gonna mule back Fat Tire?


Actually 24 would fit but there's a shipping & handling charge

[theprez98]

Re: Flying United to DC16? Better pack lightly or have a padded wallet...

Why don't they go by WEIGHT instead of QUANTITY?

They already do. If you're over xx pounds, you pay more.

[astcell]

Re: Flying United to DC16? Better pack lightly or have a padded wallet...

Why don't they go by WEIGHT instead of QUANTITY?

[shrdlu]

Re: Flying United to DC16? Better pack lightly or have a padded wallet...

Yeah I heard this on the radio today. It sucks but it's a way for them to offset the cost of rising fuel prices without jacking up ticket prices. I pack really light all the time, so no worries here.

This is the kind of thing that has pushed me into renting a car, and driving, in preference to flying. I'm glad to be able to take two days to get somewhere, rather than just having a full day sucked down into the evil of flying, and having *everything* that I wanted with me. I don't have to worry about searches, or having my nice, unwrinkled clothes looking like the bargain bin at the Goodwill.

I remember deciding to spend the weekend in SF. I called the airlines (Aircal; I REALLY miss Aircal), got two seats, called the hotel, got a room, barely made it to the flight (they were about to close the door, and *three* hours after I decided I wanted to be in SF, there I was (I was in SoCal, so 50 minute flight). Piece of cake.

Now? Last minute purchases are guaranteed to get you a body cavity search, you HAVE to be there 30 minutes prior, or you don't get on the plane, nothing ever leaves on time, nothing ever arrives on time, and you're lucky if your luggage arrives with you. Forget about carrying it on.

I confess I'm considering a 3-day drive, now, as less unpleasant than flying.

[Grifter]

Re: Flying United to DC16? Better pack lightly or have a padded wallet...

Yeah I heard this on the radio today. It sucks but it's a way for them to offset the cost of rising fuel prices without jacking up ticket prices. I pack really light all the time, so no worries here.

[DaKahuna]

Re: Flying United to DC16? Better pack lightly or have a padded wallet...

Thank goodness for business related travel - Now if only they would put a Red Carpet Club in Las Vegas. -- United Premier member.

[DJ Jackalope]

Re: Flying United to DC16? Better pack lightly or have a padded wallet...

southwest is doing something similiar also.

[Thorn]

Re: Flying United to DC16? Better pack lightly or have a padded wallet...

Damn! Now all the airlines are going to start doing this. Ever notice how expensive it is to be poor?

-mouse

What I really want find out (first hand) is there is a corollary of "is it inexpensive to be rich?"

So far the progress in that direction has been, um, slow.

[mouseling]

Re: Flying United to DC16? Better pack lightly or have a padded wallet...

Damn! Now all the airlines are going to start doing this. Ever notice how expensive it is to be poor?

-mouse

[bluknight]

... because United just announced a $25 surcharge for a "Second Bag" on domestic flights, unless you're a premier member in their Mileage Plus programs.