Why not charge based on the weight of the passenger and his or her baggage? $100.00 for the tickets and $1.00 per pound. I'm an average person who checks one medium bag and one small carry on. Tickets would cost less for those who use less fuel and more those who don't. Exercise more or pack less! ;)

Seriously though. Hats off to airlines like Southwest who are fiscally responsible and don't need to add on fees to their advertised ticket prices just to stay alive. If Southwest can do it, why can't the rest?

Posted By Scott on February 10, 2011, 11:25 PM

Phooey on fees! For the past year, I've been flying Southwest whenever possible! Competitive fares, noticeably friendlier customer service, consistent on-time service and no bag fees offset not having an assigned seat.

Posted By Brian on February 14, 2011, 12:46 PM

If I am going to pay for higher gas prices I will just drive on my vacations and carry as much baggage as I want. I have eliminated all flying from my families future vacation plans. Once you pack for two adults and 2 children including books and games and extra shoes etc the fees for the luggage mean we can't afford to go and eat when we get there!

Posted By Barbara on February 14, 2011, 1:09 PM

I just flew twice on Southwest in past couple of weeks. Not only are they dependable as an airline, their employees genuinely seem to like their jobs! I've been on so many flights on other airlines where the crew is outright surly. Last fall, while flying to Boston, Southwest's crew rolled out food and beverages at the gate to celebrate their first anniversary from that departure city. And,they had fun serving everyone at the gate!

To recap: No baggage fees. Low/reasonable airfare. Friendly employees. Dependability. Good safety record. Southwest has become my go-to airline whenever I book a flight now!

Posted By Karen on February 14, 2011, 1:41 PM

"If Southwest can do it, why can't the rest?"

Because (most of) the rest are legacy airlines that are forced by the government to play by a different set of rules.

It's why the legacy airlines far more often fly direct to major cities, while the low-cost carriers like Southwest routinely have you making 2 or 3 layovers to get across the country.

Posted By Bob on February 14, 2011, 1:44 PM

I flew Spirit Airline in January. To make a long story short: they never charged me or even checked on the number of carry-on bags I purchased or took with me. It was as if you are foolish to pay.

Posted By becky on February 14, 2011, 3:17 PM

Now, I fly Southwest almost exclusively. If Southwest does not fly there, I think twice and ask myself: "Just how necessary is this trip?" Sad.

Posted By Dempsey on February 14, 2011, 3:57 PM

On a recent AirTran domestic flight, we decided to stuff everything into carry-ons to avoid the $20 each-way fee. Then at the airport, because the flight was full, they asked people to volunteer to check their carry-ons for free, to ensure enough carry-on space in the cabin. As I did so, I thought how annoyed I would have been had I PAID to check my bag ahead of time!

It really is becoming cheaper to FedEx your stuff to your destination and back.

Posted By Jo on February 14, 2011, 4:09 PM

I work for an airline and it's amazing how much weight just an average size bag weighs. The vast majority of ppl taking trips overpack (we all do...it's human nature) but when 1 person checks 1 bag weighing over 50 lbs., and their "carry-on" weighs almost as much and takes up a complete bin...it leaves responsible & realistic travelers footing the bill. I think an excellent idea would be to charge per weight...pax + checked bags + carry-on bags=price of flight. Why should I have to pay for some overweight person and someone's overweight bag?

Posted By heath on February 14, 2011, 4:45 PM

I avoid airline fees by taking the train whenever possible! Our new jerk of a Governor Kaisch turned down the federal money for the high-speed rail system, so I drive to Pittsburgh & catch the train there. Even figuring in the cost of gas & parking, it's still cheaper!

Posted By Caitlin on February 14, 2011, 5:23 PM

I agree, everyone should pay for all the poundage they place on a plane (their baggage and their persons). You know the planes are having to burn extra fuel due to extra weight of the people on the plane and the only way they can charge for this and be politically correct is through baggage fees. It isn't fair to penalize all of us for the excesses of the few.

Posted By Mary on February 14, 2011, 5:23 PM

Airlines should adopt a common standard max weight and dimensions for both carry on and checked bags. Right now they are all over the place. Not only do specify the max total combined inches of your luggage, but they also put max limits on each dimension. If you want to get everything in the biggest possible carry on so you don't have to wait at the carousel, you need multiple sets of baggage to conform to their different max size and dimension standards. Southwest is one of the smaller max size limits (50 combined inches vs. 55 combined inches for most of the others) but I still take them whenever possible to avoid the games.

Posted By Bruce on February 14, 2011, 5:54 PM

As I sit here reading my emails,I came across these comments about the airlines.Here are the facts...If you dont like their fees,travel another way.I bet these are the same people who complain when the price of stamps go up also.Really people,when you think about it,the price combined for your ticket plus whatever else fees they charge is pretty damn cheap to travel anywhere you want.I bet if you could never get to where your going and you had to stay home ,you would be happy to pay their fees,and no I do not work for any airlines.Im just A very fortunate person to be able to travel for pleasure and realize I have different options to choose from.And I always choose flying,extra fees and all.

Posted By kim white on February 14, 2011, 7:01 PM

I have never posted a comment before but seriously, it frustrates me to read a comment that basically suggests that if you are concerned about the increased cost of services - don't fly. It is good too know there are people fortunate enough not to be concerned about additional fees. For many business people, families that save to have a nice holiday occasionally and for every person that works very hard for the money they earn - these additional fees can have a huge impact. In Canada, we do not have alot of choice on who we are able to fly with, in the States - you are fortunate that the government (people) subsidize the airline industry and options are AVAILABLE. (Strange - how the general population is against national healthcare which would mean additional costs to every taxpayer but you are willing to pay for carry on luggage )
Be careful how you make your point...because there is a whole segment of the population that you obviously are not familar with

Posted By lee on February 14, 2011, 10:00 PM

Personally I think Spirit is the ONLY airline that has it right. I have flown USairways several times recently and on every flight the people who board before me (they use zones) have huge and multiple carry-ons, and by the time the last of us are called to board, there is no overhead luggage room and they make us check our bags. I carry only a small legal-size carry-on and my purse. If they are not going to enforce the rules for the number and size of carry-ons, they need to try to persuade people to either carry on less or pay to take up other passengers' overhead space. If I need to save time by not checking luggage, I am perfectly willing to pay for the privilege.

Posted By Claudia on February 15, 2011, 12:04 PM

Many delays and much aggravation on the part of other passengers are caused by passengers attempting to stuff bags in overhead compartments. Why not encourage people to check their bags by making all checked baggage free - and charging fees for carry on suitcases. Purses, briefcases and laptop computers would travel free. This would speed up departures and ensure room for small items and coats in overhead bins.

Posted By Dorothy on February 15, 2011, 2:52 PM

Why would any sane person choose to voluntarily pack a bag to weigh over 50 pounds? I don't want to have to lift such a bag and the baggage handlers don't want to lift a lot of them each day. Even if the bag has wheels, there are situations where someone has to lift it. I travel with just a carry-on of no more than 8 kilos, about 17 pounds, even for overseas trips lasting months. So does my husband and we dress well. My books show how. Put dot com after my name, Barbara DesChamps. And don't fly Spirit.

Posted By Barbara DesChamps on February 16, 2011, 12:53 AM

Suggestions:
1) Airlines should ENFORCE size and weight restrictions on carry-ons. This could be done just before passengers go through security.
2) Eliminate gate-checking except for travel necessities, i.e. strollers, wheelchairs.
3) Airlines should go to a consistent system for baggage fees, either by weight or number. Each airline can choose the actual fees it charges.
4) Fly Southwest, take a train, or drive wheneveer possible.

Posted By JoAnn on February 16, 2011, 1:02 PM

American Airlines is really bad. On my last trip my baggage didn't arrive until two days after we returned home. They allowed me $300 to replace what I needed for the trip, even though much of what I had in my bag and needed for the trip was not available on short notice. I did spend the $300 and sent them the receipts with their special form last November. I still have not heard ANYTHING from them and no refund on the purchase they authorized. I doubt they will let me take $300 and interest off of any subsequent ticket purchase.

Posted By John Johnson on February 18, 2011, 10:19 PM

Between security,looong lines,CHARGING for baggage(?)getting to the airport,paying to get there or paying to park your car,it's all too much,very stressful,not even worth traveling any more.It's all about GREED.When the airlines get their acts together I will travel again some day! NO ONE should have to pay for their luggage on a plane and certainly not for some one elses.I like the idea of weighing bags and people,makes sense.
It's sad what it's become.As that little girl in Kansas once said"there's no place like HOME"

Posted By Leslie Dunn on February 21, 2011, 9:52 AM

Leslie, not sure how you can blame the airlines for the hassle of "getting to the airport." Maybe you are just not a traveler at heart.
Also am wondering about the practicality of charging passengers by the pound. While it sounds good enough in theory, how would that be accomplished? Since passengers and their luggage couldn't be weighed until they actually showed up at the airport to catch their flight, their actual flight price couldn't be determined in advance. Somehow I doubt passengers would be willing to pay an 'adjusted price' at the last minute if necessary.

Posted By Mellowtraveler on February 27, 2011, 12:49 PM

I just returned from driving a little over 2000 miles to attend a graduation. The plane ticket was $700 (travel north to south is more expenseive than east to west, it seems)- my driving expenses, including two hotel stays (Super 8) were just over $400. Granted I had the time, but when I do, I drive and enjoy seeing our great country. When I have to fly, I steel myself for the rude TSA people, the harried, understaffed airline folks (many of whom really do try to be pleasant in spite of the pressure) and often late luggage if I have to check something. Flying used to be fun - no more. >sad

Posted By Illuminated on June 13, 2011, 5:11 PM