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

[theprez98]

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

Despite the fact that other airlines claim they will not follow American with this fee, they inevitably will. Once one airline does it, it makes it all the easier for the others to follow.

...and United and US Air have fallen in line:

I hate being right.

[TheCotMan]

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

The train is slow, but theres AC outlets for gadgets, time, and less process poor stormtroopers.

Good points, and when was the last time you were on a train and asked to turn off all electronic equipment before takeoff and landing because of FAA regulations?

And some trains still include a food/beverage car so you can get out of your seat to get what you want, on-demand, instead of waiting for someone to come to you on their time, on their schedule.

[theprez98]

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

I'm riding the train up to NYC for HOPE.

[JonM]

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

The next likely fee is paying more for specific seats.

US Airways has been doing that for a couple months now:

http://www.usairways.com/awa/Content...oiceseats.aspx

What are Choice Seats?

Starting May 7, 2008, Choice Seat assignments on the aisle or window in the first several rows of the Coach cabin will be available for as little as $5 per flight. Passengers may select a Choice Seat during Web Check-in (from 24 hours and up to 90 minutes before departure.)

And United has made you pay extra for more leg room for years. With their stock "Economy" seats, my knees brush the seat in front of me, and I'm a hare under 6 feet. An extra $34 gets you an "Economy Extra" seat, with reasonable leg room.

It's all a race to the bottom. Everyone's fighting to force each other into bankruptcy. To the victor goes the spoils, in the form of increased fares.

-Jon

[Ne0nRa1n]

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

US Airways will start charging $2 for non-alcoholic beverages, such as soda and juice, in August. Probably the days of free drinks in economy class are numbered.

Does anyone know what airlines in America are already doing this? I am trying to avoid fees, but it is getting really hard to find an airline that doesn't charge you for every tiny thing.

[0x58]

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

I don't think there is a way to avoid the fees anymore. You can't bring your own drinks like you used to be able to, which to me is insane, and thus they can charge you whatever they think is fair.

[TheCotMan]

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

I don't think there is a way to avoid the fees anymore. You can't bring your own drinks like you used to be able to, which to me is insane, and thus they can charge you whatever they think is fair.

Actually, I think you can bring on-board food and drinks if they are purchased after the check-point. (This was mentioned when I was at Dulles and Charlette.) Of course, the store prices in the space after the security checks are not cheap either, and this may be different from one airline to another.

[hydruh]

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

The general idea is that drinks are 100% allowed through the gate, just not through the security checkpoint. I have had to toss out my son's juice a number of times already, and he is not even three yet.

There is a study out there (unofficial of course) of the price delta between inside and outside the gate. 20 oz coke from Sam's Club: $0.56. Before security gate inside airport: $1.95. After security inside airport: $3.50. Something like that - of course I can't find the link.

[goathead]

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

Actually, I think you can bring on-board food and drinks if they are purchased after the check-point. (This was mentioned when I was at Dulles and Charlette.) Of course, the store prices in the space after the security checks are not cheap either, and this may be different from one airline to another.

Indeed, the secure beverages are more expensive but the peace of mind is priceless...

Although last time I was at a checkpoint, I chugged my remaining redbulls because I just did not want to toss the money away without the opportunity to consume them. Although they really shouldnt let people do that because I don't think that people who chug 3-4 redbulls should be allowed on a flight without restraints. The crazy eyes and the sweating bullets would be a huge red flag to me if I was gaging travelers' dispositions.

So back on track, people trying to avoid the additional baggage costs will likely be trying to bring the maximum carry-on size/qty which is just hellish for everyone else entering and exiting the plane.

[LosT]

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

I wonder what they would charge me to fly with the mystery boxes this year... :)

1057

[0x58]

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

I wonder what they would charge me to fly with the mystery boxes this year... :)

1057

Well, how much do they weigh? And will they fit in one or two suitcases?

[[Syntax]]

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

I had some issues last year at the airport, where they said one bag was over weight, but the other wasnt, they made me shift my contents from one bag to another bag to even them out, I was carrying all the Toxic BBQ shirts along with my regular luggage.

I ended up getting them all sorted out where I wasnt charged an additional fee, but the delay in getting to the security line which they were strictly checking that day caused me to miss my flight.

Any non personal stuff will get FedEx'd this year.

[astcell]

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

With luggage fees it may be cheaper to ship the boxes out there via ups!