Originally published Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Steamed travelers sound off
Air travelers are mad, and some of them just won't take it anymore. After American Airlines announced Wednesday it would start charging...
Seattle Times Travel staff
Air travelers are mad, and some of them just won't take it anymore.
After American Airlines announced Wednesday it would start charging next month for all checked luggage, Seattle Times readers unleashed their anger online.
More than 150 people posted comments in about two hours on The Times' Web site. They ranged from "I'll never fly American again" and "What kind of marketing idiots are they?" to warnings of chaos on the planes as passengers travel with supersized carry-on bags. Others wryly wondered where airline fees will end: Will passengers be charged by their weight? Will there be pay toilets on planes?
Here's a sample of their comments:
"This is absurd to charge for even one bag. If you are going on a week's vacation with a family of four, how are you not supposed to check baggage? Everyone is going to try to do carry-ons, and it's going to be chaos."
— Renee, Kent
"How much worse — more time-consuming, more crowded and more unpleasant — will this make boarding a plane? People will want to carry on steamer trunks to avoid the fees. American Airlines has never had my business very often, but that small percentage has dropped to zero."
— Jim S., Seattle
"If the ticket prices were cheaper, it would make sense to charge for checking a bag. For example in Europe, for easyJet and Ryanair, the base tickets are cheap so they charge for extra bags and food. However, the price of tickets on American is already high. ... I think it's ridiculous to charge extra for checking a bag."
— C.R., Seattle
"... If they are going to start charging for checked luggage, they better start doing a better job of not losing it!"
— Anita, Seattle
![]()
"Why not charge realistic ticket prices and kill all the extra surcharges? Why not give a $15 discount to the ticket price for someone not bringing checked luggage."
— Jason, Everett
"I think charging for even one bag is a rip-off. I will not be flying as often. ... My husband and I usually fly to see our children and grandchildren. Maybe phone calls and pictures will have to do."
— Sheril, Everett
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
UPDATE - 10:39 AM
Va. gov clears way for DC sniper's execution
FBI reassessing past look at Fort Hood suspect
UPDATE - 11:04 AM
Obama remembers what Fort Hood victims left behind
NEW - 10:39 AM
White House: Obama has four Afghan options
UPDATE - 10:58 AM
Navies of 2 Koreas exchange fire near border

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Lt. governor's son shot by co-worker in Kent; gunman then shot self
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- DNA, ballistics tie man to cop killing, police say
- House health bill unacceptable to many in Senate
261 - Prosecutors prepare charges against suspect in police shooting
261 - Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
201 - McGinn more than doubles his lead over Mallahan
154 - Alleged shooter tied to mosque of 9/11 hijackers
143 - Resolute Fort Hood soldiers ready for return
128 - King County OKs 'don't ask' law on immigration
111 - Josh Smith picks UCLA
80 - 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
77 - Cutaia says replay handled properly on Austin TD
71
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tours Seattle's Swedish after health-care vote
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens





