BTN readers respond to United Airlines' new baggage fee and
BTN's coverage of the Official Airline Guide's of launch an online reservations service.
United's Nickel-And-Dime Baggage Fee Commoditizes TravelWhen is enough going to be enough?
Now, United Airlines has found another way to "get" the traveler with a second baggage fee
(BTNonline, Feb. 4). Was it not enough to charge the customer more money to offset increases in fuel by instating the fuel surcharge? Was it not enough to take away the meals and charge customers $3 for a cookie or potato chips? Was it not enough to charge $2 for headphones or $5 for a cold, soggy sandwich? Now, it is $25 for an extra bag-but wait, there is a disclaimer. If you are buying a refundable fare or you are an elite member, you are not charged. Translation: If you are willing to pay more than you need to or you are willing to only fly United Airlines in order to obtain elite status, then, and only then, are you not charged the $25 fee.
What United is doing here is making travel a commodity. They are taking what should be an experience and nickel-and-diming passengers. What are they trying to achieve by doing this besides the obvious of making more money? Do they think that passengers are going to bring only one bag? As a regular flyer with over 140,000 miles annually, I know that travelers bring only what is necessary. When was the last time you took an entire suitcase of things that you did not need?
This charge will just encourage those who take two small bags to now try to squeeze more into a much larger bag. The amount of physical space the bag will take will be the same. The only difference will be is that we will be seeing larger and heavier bags on the carousel at baggage claim. Maybe United will make some money with the weight overage charges.
Please do not take me wrong. I am not against an airline making money. In fact, the airline industry has gone though enough in the past decade that making money is what it should do. United cites that it is looking to make $1,000,000 in revenue and savings from this. If United wants to make more money, maybe a better solution should be to increase the fare by $1. That would bring more revenue than this extra $25 baggage charge, as the $1 would apply to all tickets booked. At least this way, United can maintain the integrity of travel, instead of making it a commodity. The only thing that United is doing is shooting itself in the foot in the long term. What is next, $5 to use the restroom on the plane or $10 if you want a seat that reclines?
My opinion is that depending on the success of this program, expect to see other airlines follow suit. My only hope is that they don't, for the sake of the travel industry as a whole.
Aash ShravahGeneral Manager/Corporate Sales, Kintetsu International
New York, NY
First To Launch Online OAG Res SystemRegarding the Official Airline Guide's launch of an online reservation service "for the first time"
(BTNonline, Feb. 4), I would like to remind your team that in 1984/1985, OAG launched the "OAG Electronic Edition." While basic and available only via dial-up modem, it was the world's first airline reservation system. I was a senior analyst at CCS Automation Systems (Continental/Texas Air's automation company) responsible for developing and implementing the airline capability, while the OAG team managed the overall project. Ultimately, OAG elected to implement the electronic edition through another carrier's CRS, but this should be considered the breakthrough in PC-based online reservations. With the leadership of airline automation visionaries like CCS CEO Richard Murray and OAG project director Mel Trudeau, we took the first step in what is now a flourishing market.
Bert SilversteinPresident, Janastar Marketing Group
Missouri City, Texas