A New Bill for Free Checked Baggage Was Introduced to Congress
By: Stephanie Castillo
Updated: November 23, 2011
For many passengers air travel has taken a decidedly different turn and they aren't happy about it. What's the top complaint of travelers? Being charged for a checked bag.
Travelers complain it takes forever to get on and off flights because people who carry on bags because they don't want to pay checked bags fees.
Some people are prone to pick certain airlines like Southwest because they don't charge for checked bags. Most airlines faced rising fuel prices and slack travel demands, which started the trend of charging customers for checked bags three years ago.
Typical bag fees are about $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second one. So more and more people are opting to carry on their bags.
This causes longer lines at security and a mad dash on the plane to get that coveted overhead bin space.
Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu says travelers are tired of being nickeled and dimed. So Landrieu had introduced a Bill to Congress that would allow passengers to check one bag for free.
Landrieu says the travel experience is becoming more of a hassle, and that at least one checked bag should come with the seat, along with free water and access to a restroom.
More carry on bags also means more work for TSA. The Department of Homeland Security says their costs have gone up $270 million a year since airlines started charging baggage fees.
But the airline industry argues their profit margin is already on the slim side and Congress has no right to butt in. Further saying:
"No one tells the hotel whether or not they should have free bottles of water or free wi-fi. No one tells a bus what services they should offer for free. Again this should be up to the carrier or airline should be able to decide what they want to charge for and consumers should be able to decide who they think the best options for them."
Airlines collected more than three billion dollars in baggage fees last year and are on pace to collect about the same amount this year.
Travelers complain it takes forever to get on and off flights because people who carry on bags because they don't want to pay checked bags fees.
Some people are prone to pick certain airlines like Southwest because they don't charge for checked bags. Most airlines faced rising fuel prices and slack travel demands, which started the trend of charging customers for checked bags three years ago.
Typical bag fees are about $25 for the first bag and $35 for the second one. So more and more people are opting to carry on their bags.
This causes longer lines at security and a mad dash on the plane to get that coveted overhead bin space.
Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu says travelers are tired of being nickeled and dimed. So Landrieu had introduced a Bill to Congress that would allow passengers to check one bag for free.
Landrieu says the travel experience is becoming more of a hassle, and that at least one checked bag should come with the seat, along with free water and access to a restroom.
More carry on bags also means more work for TSA. The Department of Homeland Security says their costs have gone up $270 million a year since airlines started charging baggage fees.
But the airline industry argues their profit margin is already on the slim side and Congress has no right to butt in. Further saying:
"No one tells the hotel whether or not they should have free bottles of water or free wi-fi. No one tells a bus what services they should offer for free. Again this should be up to the carrier or airline should be able to decide what they want to charge for and consumers should be able to decide who they think the best options for them."
Airlines collected more than three billion dollars in baggage fees last year and are on pace to collect about the same amount this year.
