The explosion in cost of checked on airline bags has consumers scrambling for the carry-on luggage, states the Washington Post. The extra carry-on luggage could eventually mean that working class individuals may have to pick up the check the Transportation Security Administration is currently writing. According to Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano, the influx of carry-on baggage is costing approximately $ 260 million per year.
Carry-on luggage has to be much more secure
Travelers will continue to be able to bring luggage on the plane with them as long as carry-on luggage is allowed. However, as Napolitano reminded U.S. Senate Appropriations subcommittee chairwoman Sen. Mary Landrieu, nothing comes free:
“When you have to pay to check a bag, it increases carry-on luggage, and that means there is more to inspect at the gate and so forth for passengers to get on planes,” she said.
A functioning TSA is really significant. Costs have to be absorbed for this to occur. The cost of more carry-on baggage is something either the United States taxpayers or airlines will have to cover. Putting higher airport safety charges on airline tickets was a suggestion Napolitano had for Sen. Landrieu. Simply adding $5 to $10 a ticket would significantly help pay for the Transportation Security Administration. Napolitano states that $600 million a year would be added this way.
Congress has yet to determine if airport safety charges will pass
An airport security fee is far from a new idea. It has appeared each year since the concept was first proposed in 2002. However, Congress has not approved the airline ticket cost increase. The first profitable year since 2007 for the airline industry was reported due to fewer flights, higher ticket prices and other charges. Huge profits are anticipated from the government for the airline industry. About $5 billion in 2011 and $5.6 billion in 2012 are anticipated. Putting more fees on things is something congress doesn't want to try to do.
Economy airline policies on luggage
Before getting to the gate, know exactly what the luggage policies are. You might be surprised by what’s free and what is not. In general, wheelchairs are checked in as free baggage and do not count toward a traveler's baggage allotment. Sometimes the children's strollers will even be checked free. This is just like wheelchair requirements. Typically baggage over 100 pounds won't be allowed. Most economy airlines have these luggage policies:
- Southwest- 2 checked bags up to 50 pounds each are free. Additional and oversized luggage ranges from $25 to much more than $100.
- JetBlue- One bag weighing 50 pounds or less may be checked for free. The second checked bag costs $50. Up to a 40-pound carry-on luggage piece is also free. One can be checked for free. Excess or oversized pieces run $50 to $100.
- Virgin America- First checked bag costs $25 and may weigh up to 70 pounds. Subsequent check-ins up to 50 pounds is $25. Excess and oversized bags run $10 to $50 each.
Articles cited
About.com Air Travel
airtravel.about.com/od/whatyoucancantpack/a/stuff2.htm
Washington Post
washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/03/AR2011030305679.html?wprss=rss_print/asection
Cenk Uygur vs. Ana Kasperian on carry-on luggage
youtube.com/watch?v=vrM2eOnheo0
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