Katie_H

American Airlines announced that starting June 15 domestic passengers would be charged $15 to check a bag (their first).

For more recent airline fee changes, see:
http://www.fodors.com/news/story_3008.html

Would you mind paying $15 to check a bag? Or do you swear by carry-on only anyway?

toedtoes

Personally, I wouldn't fly them if they're going to charge me for my first checked bag.

I don't mind the charge on a second bag, but I think this is tacky. Next they'll be charging extra to carry on a bag. Heck, in another couple years they'll be charging us to wear clothes on the plane - and trust me, you DON'T want me flying nekkid!

GreenDragon

I wouldn't mind paying IF they guaranteed I'd get my checked bag at the other end. As it is, it's a crap shoot. Also - I believe they are charging $15 per segment. So, if you have 1 bag, and are flying 2 segments each way, that's $60. Yikes!

suze

I hate carry-on only (I usually travel solo and can't stand hauling my suitcase thru airport bathrooms, on & off planes, into and out of the overhead bins, etc.)

To me, it depends what the total ticket price is, whether I care about the 15 bucks extra or not.

JBHapgood

Once American's "competitors" all jump on the bandwagon, I think FedEx, UPS, and baggage delivery services will reap a bonanza. Airlines are now asking us to pay for their notoriously unreliable checked baggage "service" (which will probably become even dodgier after they lay off half the baggage handlers to save money). And remember, those bags have to be unlocked so TSA screeners can rifle them with their filthy paws whenever their high-tech scanners can't distinguish between explosives and books.

If we have to pay for airlines (and the TSA) to lose, damage, or pilfer our bags, it really makes sense to pay a little more to a third-party company that can deliver the bags reliably and securely. Maybe that's American's real intent, since it would leave more room in the hold for much more profitable air freight.

Regardless, you have to give American credit for leading the industry in demonstrating complete and utter contempt for its paying customers in ways that only airlines can get away with. I wouldn't be surprised if the CEO got a special bonus for this brilliant innovation. I suppose the next thing they'll do is charge a $50 fee for the "customer service" of tracking down and returning lost bags!

thursdaysd

I wouldn't have a problem with this if they enforced the one carry-on limit (and the size restriction). As it is, it will just take longer to board. Actually, I think it would make more sense to weigh the passenger plus all luggage and charge by weight...