YAY, Ms Go. That's good news. I guess I'm still an "idiot" if I need skiis or a laptop or anything else.

Gail is right. Now, if flying United and I had two bags, as I sometimes do, I'll just bring the smaller wheeled on board with me. It's the correct size, but until now, it has always been checked, because I hate the hassle of the overhead bins.

Not that I ever fly United, but if this proposal flies and United doesn't lose passenger share, it'll spread to the other airlines as well.

Why does everyone keep mentioning laptops? Who checks a laptop?

FWIW I've never checked more than one bag, even for two weeks in Europe. When my wife studied abroad in Scotland for a semester, she only checked one bag.

Because a laptop counts as a carryon, Spinovious. So, if you have a laptop and a purse, everything else has to go below. Now United will charge you if you have more than 1 bag below.

I can’t recall ever checking a second bag but United would have to give me a really, really good deal to get me to fly with them again. The last time we were shoe-horned into the smallest space imaginable then they tossed peanuts at us wrapped in a napkin that read, "more leg room than any other carrier". I would have laughed but I didn’t have the room.

The worst of it, though was a toss up between giving the passengers a concrete floor for a measly excuse for a passenger lounge or being late. The employees were not only unhelpful but bordering on rude.

Then perhaps it's time for you to fly another airline?

Not every policy will satisfy everybody. Most will not have a problem with this one but if it is a problem for you, talk with your wallet and give your money to any one of their competitor instead.

I'll be one of those who used to check what will now be a 30 pound carryon. I thought I was doing everyone a favor by checking it, though I suspect it's cheaper for the airline if I just carry it on - just incovenient for the passengers and crew.

I travel carry-on with a laptop all the time. My laptop bag holds things in addition to my lap top - including the stuff that is usually in my purse. My empty purse goes into my carry-on rollerboard with my clothing, etc. When I get to my destination, I transfer things back into my purse. It is only slightly inconvinient to transfer things in and out of my purse and the benefit is that I clean out my purse regularly.

karens,

how was your ski trip to PC?

You can still travel with a laptop, a purse, and a carry-on bag (although why you'd need so much stuff during a flight is beyond me). Just stick the laptop or purse in the carry-on.

AAFrequentFlyer: I like your attitude in this and other posts you've made. The world needs more of you and fewer complainers.

The real question is whether the customer would prefer a higher far and "free" luggage.....or lower fare and restricted luggage.

From a business point of view.....it probably makes sense.

I only fly carry on, unless the travel involves skis or golf bag.

People really need to understand the differences between business and leisure travel. I could absolutely never check my bag for a business trip. I would be really up the creek if my suitcase were lost or delayed. Just cannot take the chance. On vacation you can make do, but for business, never. So, on board with me goes the carry-on suitcase that fits in the overhead and the laptop case that doubles as a purse and also holds my plastic baggie of liquid toiletries.

Traveling light is an art. Some people never get it. But I will say that the more you practice, the better at it you get. I have never once run out of clothing on a trip, but there are many times that I come home with never worn clothing.

My two cents worth.

Having once paid to check an allowed - yet overweight bag (I didn't want to open my bag on the filthy floor and rearrange everything between my two allowed checked bags). I will tell you that the idea of waiting for all those paid transactions at the checked baggage aisle to happen will be a pain for everyone.

Not to mention, everyone having to show what level FF they are every time.

Sorry, my experience tells me that every extra transaction that takes place slows the lines even more. The people working the desks seem to have a hard time doing anything other than printing tags and checking people in.

Anything that makes flying more complicated and aggravating, I vote against. I also hate the nickle and diming, for the same reason. Pay for food, no food, pay for a decent seat - it's all a pain to me. And, I agree the service is generally nonexistent.

Why doesn't some airline try being pleasant, polite, nice and have a help the traveler policy for a change. It is is horrifying for airlines to think of making flying pleasant?

It's not the $25 or $50 to me. It's the hassle. They get the money one way or another, anyway. Why not be nice when they take my money?

Chocolate Water Ice - that is a very good point. I don't mind paying either, I rarely bring a second bag anyway. But it's the bogging down at check-in that makes it a bad idea.

And it is $25.00 each and every time the bag is checked in so a roundtrip will cost $50.00 more. But having said that I have never checked in more than one bag, even on the trips to Italy when I have been gone for two months. Well one exception..but that was not my fault..a long boring story.

Hi Dayle. The snow in Park City kicked our butts! Thanks so much for all your recommendations - we really liked the Eating Establishment. I'll write more over on my original PC/DV thread so I don't take this thread off of checking baggage!

I presume people are traveling with kids who have tickets. If so, they still can carry on 2 things and check one. So just because you are traveling with kids doesn't mean their checked luggage counts as your own.

I guess my take on it (aside from security) is that if it means it saves me money on my ticket (i.e. if it's true about fuel costs and luggage), then I think it's fair that they charge for extra luggage. But then, I really can't recall the last time I needed more than one checked bagged (I'm not even sure I can recall one checked bag).

I was thinking the same thing about people travelling with kids - as long as the kids are ticketed, they get the same baggage allowance as anyone else. Kids require extra stuff, but I don't think they generally require more than their allotted 2 carry-ons and 1 checked bag.

I guess it doesn't matter too much for me since I have a United FF card and should have enough miles (well, usually) to be at the level that I won't have to pay for the 2nd bag.

I agree that it is going to be a HUGE hassle at the checkin desk! When we head back overseas at the end of the summer - our first leg is a domestic flight and I always get to the airport 3 hours ahead of time. I am usually the only person there so when I show up with my 2 kids and 8-10 bags/boxes all at 50 pounds each - I don't inconvenience anyone. It does take time for them to weigh and tag everything and then I have to pay for the extras.

Funny - after 7 years, many of the checkin people know me and just smile when they see me coming!!! Okay - maybe they are grimacing...but I just maintain a sense of humor and they have never been anything but helpful. I always tell the checkin clerk that after taking care of me....the rest of the day should be a breeze!!!!