US Airways -- seems we had to PAY not to check our carry ins.
Sep 10th, 2013, 04:30 AM
#1
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US Airways -- seems we had to PAY not to check our carry ins.
In the past couple of years, we've flown US Air a couple times to Florida. We only travel with a legal rolling carryon each. But because each time we've been seated in the middle of the plane, they INSIST at the gate that we check those bags saying we'll be the last to board and there will not be any space available. When I have protested, they gave me a small plastic bag to put my medicines or other "important" things in, but they take our carryons at the gate and then check them, meaning we have to wait for them on the carousel at the other end.
Well, last week when we flew from Philadelphia to San Francisco, we got the same thing. When we booked our seats nearly three months ahead ALL that was available without paying extra for priority boarding was the center of the plane -- which becomes zone 5. Sure enough, they insisted we check our two small carryons and then we had to wait on arrival over 45 minutes for our bags on the carousel, the exact thing we try to avoid by packing and traveling so light. Meanwhile other people board first with two or even three carryons!
So coming home, it seemed the only thing we could do to avoid the checking (and we were arriving at Philly late the night before a work night and really didn't need an extra wait for luggage) was to pay to get seats that allow zone 2 boarding. Sure enough, it worked, and we did not have to check our carryons, but at the gate they were insisting that all those in zone 5 MUST check theirs. The cost? $89 a seat -- or a charge of $178 simply to avoid checking our carryons which in theory do not have to be checked!
Just another reason I dislike US Airways. Oh, and should I mention the falling apart plane where neither of our tray tables worked at all -- they'd simply fall down, but we could balance them on our laps? And the bathroom actually had the sink completely taped over with duct tape and a container of wet wipes on the counter instead -- but it was empty! Geeze.
Well, last week when we flew from Philadelphia to San Francisco, we got the same thing. When we booked our seats nearly three months ahead ALL that was available without paying extra for priority boarding was the center of the plane -- which becomes zone 5. Sure enough, they insisted we check our two small carryons and then we had to wait on arrival over 45 minutes for our bags on the carousel, the exact thing we try to avoid by packing and traveling so light. Meanwhile other people board first with two or even three carryons!
So coming home, it seemed the only thing we could do to avoid the checking (and we were arriving at Philly late the night before a work night and really didn't need an extra wait for luggage) was to pay to get seats that allow zone 2 boarding. Sure enough, it worked, and we did not have to check our carryons, but at the gate they were insisting that all those in zone 5 MUST check theirs. The cost? $89 a seat -- or a charge of $178 simply to avoid checking our carryons which in theory do not have to be checked!
Just another reason I dislike US Airways. Oh, and should I mention the falling apart plane where neither of our tray tables worked at all -- they'd simply fall down, but we could balance them on our laps? And the bathroom actually had the sink completely taped over with duct tape and a container of wet wipes on the counter instead -- but it was empty! Geeze.
Sep 10th, 2013, 04:55 AM
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Funny you should mention that, Gretchen. I did just that on this last flight. So in the future we should have zone 2 boarding. The companion fare isn't a bad deal, and actually I'll get enough extra points for two free tickets domestically within the year. The only downside is that you have to fly on US Air to use them. LOL!
Sep 10th, 2013, 05:52 AM
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It makes no difference. They would not let us enter the "gangplank" without gate checking a standard approved carryon! But to answer your question, I really don't think most roll on carry ons will fit under those seats. Besides, where will my 6' framed legs go? Talk about misery in flying! And I'd much prefer rolling around a carry on for the 'mile' to the car rental places, BART to hotel, etc., than carrying any bag with my week's worth stuffed into it.
Sep 10th, 2013, 07:30 AM
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last few times I flew on United, they decided at the gate when there was not going to be enough room for carryons and asked for volunteers to have their carryons gated checked for free.
American has been getting fussy about carryons. I had my carryon plus personal item plus a small bag holding my lunch. I was told I had to condense things. For some reason, despite a full plane, American doesn't seem to run out of overhead space but maybe because they offer early boarding to anyone in the later groups who do not have anything that needs to go in an overhead. Perhaps that's the incentive to check a bag. Have not had a long wait to get checked luggage.
I stopped flying USAir and maybe it's a good thing I did.
American has been getting fussy about carryons. I had my carryon plus personal item plus a small bag holding my lunch. I was told I had to condense things. For some reason, despite a full plane, American doesn't seem to run out of overhead space but maybe because they offer early boarding to anyone in the later groups who do not have anything that needs to go in an overhead. Perhaps that's the incentive to check a bag. Have not had a long wait to get checked luggage.
I stopped flying USAir and maybe it's a good thing I did.
Sep 10th, 2013, 08:22 AM
#13
That merger probably isn't going to happen so now you can go back to worrying about going to Heaven or something.
Neo, I have the credit card and all the FF points and blah blah blah with USAirways and I have never ever been told I had to check a bag.
Perhaps it is because I have never been in Zone 5 for boarding. I'm not convinced there is any real continuity as to so-called "rules enforcement" across airlines but apparently American which managed to explore bankruptcy land is a whole lot better.
Neo, I have the credit card and all the FF points and blah blah blah with USAirways and I have never ever been told I had to check a bag.
Perhaps it is because I have never been in Zone 5 for boarding. I'm not convinced there is any real continuity as to so-called "rules enforcement" across airlines but apparently American which managed to explore bankruptcy land is a whole lot better.
Sep 10th, 2013, 09:08 AM
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Dukey, and you fly in Zone 5? This was now 6 flights in a row ALL of which they insisted they check the carryons for Zone 5. One time I ignored it and managed to get mine on board anyway and yes, I did find a space a few rows back, but they have made it clear every time on a full plane (aren't they always?) that zone 5 MUST check their carryons.
But since you have the credit card, then you indeed answered your own point. It's only zone 5 they make check the bags, which was my whole point -- that we had to pay $178 to sit in zone 2 and avoid checking our bags.
But since you have the credit card, then you indeed answered your own point. It's only zone 5 they make check the bags, which was my whole point -- that we had to pay $178 to sit in zone 2 and avoid checking our bags.
Sep 10th, 2013, 10:09 AM
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I hate paying the annual fee for the USAir credit card but do it just for the reason for this thread. Happily, I've had no problem getting that fee back and more using the $99 companion certificate.
Sep 10th, 2013, 01:40 PM
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jubilada, 45 minutes is nothing compared to the over 2 hours we once waited for our luggage at American in Miami (international flight). The final story was that they "lost the entire 'tram'" sending it to a barn rather than to empty the luggage. Those big planes for domestic, with no containers for luggage take a LONG time to unload, load onto the trams, and unload onto the carousels. A VERY long time in some airports when they are particularly busy as they were at SFO.
