Skier Baggage Surcharge Protest

[billski]

(passed along from another list)

Skier Baggage Surcharge Protest

As many of you may know, the airlines are talking about imposing a $25 surcharge for your 2nd bag which will be charged each way. That means an additional $50 on your next trip where you bring your skis and boots, or scuba gear if you're a diver, golf clubs, or any other sporting equipment. EICSL is a member of the National Ski Council Federation and an individual member has set up a web site which will send an e-mail to United and US Air who plan to go ahead with the surcharge starting 5/5/08 as well as a second e-mail to the other airlines discouraging them from imposing the same charge. I encourage everyone to go to the website and send the e-mails. It only requires that you put in your name and e-mail address, but you can also add whatever additional comment you wish below the form letter they have created. The site is at http://dneba.com/BaggageProtest/index.php



This web site will not collect email addresses or claim affiliation to any ski club, travel business etc. so you can pass it on to your members, other ski clubs, travel agents, families etc. Again, I encourage everyone to spend no more than a minute to make your opinion known.

 

[deadheadskier]

I flew Skybus earlier this month to Florida. They charge $10 per bag for the first two bags EACH WAY, so $40 round trip for two bags. The second bag under fifty pounds, they charge $50!!! :blink: Skis would be an automatic $25 fee each way for being oversized.

The rates were roughly $100 cheaper than the nearest competitor, but the savings became minimal after all the fees. To go even further, no drink included, not even water. Thirsty? Bring cash. They also had a cart that they were wheeling around with duty free gifts, including Skybus T-Shirts. They even were offering companies the right to sponsor their inflight safety messages!! :blink:

If it wasn't for the free parking at the airport they fly out of, I'd never take this airline again.

 

[deadheadskier]

They're 'rules' - http://ask.skybus.com/about/rules-of-flying.shtml


Bagged policy

http://ask.skybus.com/info/baggage-rules.shtml



pretty crappy overall, but at least they're honest. They let you know exactly how they will rip you off, lol

 

[wa-loaf]

You could probably Fedex your stuff overnight for the same cost with less of a chance of losing it. :lol:

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

If I'm spending $1500-$2000 for a ski trip...the extra $50 surcharge is very nominal. It will give me incentive to FedEx my gear on my next ski trip out west,,that way at least my equipment will show up.

 

[MikeTrainor]

When I flew jet blue last month not only were skis free but skis and a boot bag count as for. So if you have a ski bag, a boot bag, and your luggage it counts as their two bag limit. This really surprised me but both way boots were not a problem

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Only Gapers put their boot bags through baggage..

 

[tjf67]

Southwest allows two bags free and 25 bucks for the third. each way. Plus carry on

 

[ERJ-145CA]

The airlines need to do something so they are trying a bag surcharge as they can't seem to increase fares enough to cover their skyrocketing fuel costs, tickets are already at historical low prices adjusted for inflation and should realistically be a lot more just to cover costs.

As for Skybus, they are the Wal Mart of airlines, very low pay for labor, including pilots, so they will only attract the "best and brightest".

 

[hammer]

The airlines need to do something so they are trying a bag surcharge as they can't seem to increase fares enough to cover their skyrocketing fuel costs, tickets are already at historical low prices adjusted for inflation and should realistically be a lot more just to cover costs.

Sounds like local towns near where I live...instead of increasing the property taxes, they institute a bunch of fees for various "services" that used to be funded through the property tax. Those fees are nothing more than a "backdoor" tax...seems like these baggage charges are nothing more than a "backdoor" airfare increase.

I better rush on the plane the next time I fly...I'll have to battle with all of the other passengers to get whatever overhead compartment room is left after everyone puts their baggage up there. :x

 

[deadheadskier]

As for Skybus, they are the Wal Mart of airlines, very low pay for labor, including pilots, so they will only attract the "best and brightest".

The low paying pilot thought had me most concerned and it was somewhat warranted. NEVER have I been on a plan that SLAMMED down onto the runway while landing as on this particular flight. It could have been a number of things, but I do worry that the pilots aren't as qualified.

Point Blank, I HATE flying all together. I will only do it if I can't get where I need to go in a 14/15 hour drive.

 

[hammer]

NEVER have I been on a plan that SLAMMED down onto the runway while landing as on this particular flight.

Maybe the pilot was fresh out of the Navy...:wink:

 

[Dr Skimeister]

Maybe the pilot was fresh out of the Navy...:wink:

or about to go in.......

 

[wa-loaf]

The low paying pilot thought had me most concerned and it was somewhat warranted. NEVER have I been on a plan that SLAMMED down onto the runway while landing as on this particular flight. It could have been a number of things, but I do worry that the pilots aren't as qualified.

Point Blank, I HATE flying all together. I will only do it if I can't get where I need to go in a 14/15 hour drive.

Was it something like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z42fchrzhHY

 

[deadheadskier]

Maybe the pilot was fresh out of the Navy...:wink:

that actually makes a bit of sense. I heard someone mention that the Punta Gorda runway was a tad on the short side for the planes they were using. I just assumed it was some think they know it all

 

[Talisman]

The low paying pilot thought had me most concerned and it was somewhat warranted. NEVER have I been on a plan that SLAMMED down onto the runway while landing as on this particular flight.

Did any of the overhead luggage bins open from the hard landing? I had that experience with United one time and chalked it up to the co-pilot practicing a cross winds approach. The three or four open luggage bins has me concerned about the bags cram up there on some flights.

 

[deadheadskier]

Was it something like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z42fchrzhHY

Tha'ts crazy

I wonder why they took off again?

 

[hammer]

Tha'ts crazy

I wonder why they took off again?

Pilot went around when he determined that he couldn't make a safe landing...not unusual at all. Maybe he had already pushed the throttles up when the wing touched...

 

[ERJ-145CA]

It looks to me that if the pilot tried to salvage that landing and try to put it on the ground after the wingtip strike there was a good chance of a lot more damage to the plane or worse.

 

[wa-loaf]

I wonder why they took off again?

This only happened about a month ago when Germany was having hurricane force winds. I think they shifted cross wise after he started his approach and were really pushing the plane off line. He came around and landed safely on another runway.