Boarding trips just got more expensive

[bumpyride]

This pertains to Delta, and consequently to Northwest because they're being taken over by Delta.

Remember the charge is for each way.

Quote:

Fee changes include an increase from $25 to $50 to check a second bag for domestic travel. Fees for specialty items that require special handling, such as surfboards or ski equipment, will increase on domestic and international flights, Delta said.

First Class, BusinessElite and Medallion customers will still be able to check up to three bags at no charge, the airline said.

Delta said that as fuel costs remain high, it believes revising its fee structure for excess bags and specialty items is essential to generate the necessary revenues to offset its higher costs.

Delta currently does not charge passengers for checking a first bag on domestic flights. It has said it is studying a decision by several other major carriers to impose that fee.

Delta customers checking bags on international flights can check a first and second bag at no charge.

Fees are for each extra bag, each way.

The fee for checking a third bag on a domestic flight will increase from $80 to $125, while the fee for checking a bag that is between 51 and 70 pounds on a domestic flight will rise from $80 to $90. On any flight, checking a bag whose length plus width plus height is a total of 62 inches to 80 inches will rise from $150 to $175.

Delta warned on its Web site that if a customer has an extra piece of baggage that goes over the weight limit and the size limit, the passenger will be charged three times — once for the extra bag, once for going over the size limit and once for going over the weight limit.

[Sinecure]

This is having the wonderful unintended (perhaps intended?) consequence of inspiring idiots to overstuff their carry-on and making the cabin ridiculously overcrowded.

The other unintended consequence will be that UPS/Fedex/USPS will now get a lot more of our boards to ship. At $50 each way, it will be cheaper to ship the board, along with a bunch of your lighter, bulkier items. Pre-print a fedex slip or USPS form before you go, bring one of those clear sleeves to stick on the box, and you are set for the return as well. Added bonus: your luggage won't get lost by the airline (instead USPS or Fedex will f it up).

[Steve Prokopiw]

fedex and ups figure this out.They will keep jacking up their prices which have more than doubled for bikes and wheels in the last couple of years;which pretty much destroyed my ebay biz.

I wonder if all but the top three percent of income earners stop flying all together if those gouges will come back down.Probably not ,but I won't be flying anytime soon.

The ironic thing to me is that as an athlete and enthusiast,it is back to being cheaper(or less insanely expensive) to drive when it is in within a day's drive.

[crucible]

It's gonna become more expensive for people to travel, no doubt about it.

But airfares have been artificially low for the last 20 years- when you could fly from NYC to Seattle for less than $300.00 return, you knew that it couldn't last.

Better get used to the end of cheap oil- that's why I'm babying my quivver more than usual from now on.

Alpine snowboards are made from petroleum byproducts too- and I'll lay money that our type of snowboards will only increase in price.

[queequeg]

Well, I guess those are two airlines I won't be flying this winter ...

[Steve Prokopiw]

I intend to convert my 98 6.5 diesel chevy( currently broken and cheaper to leave it sitting until I can do the whole project) to a 5.9 cummins and then convert that to run on waste vegetable oil(WVO;filtered of course).With the system I have planned I will be able to run nearly 2000 miles with the combo of the diesel tank and the veggie tank in one fill up.The concerns about running in winter are only for short commutes where the oil doesn't have time to heat enough,but on long road trips even in winter that is not an issue.It also has more lubricity and helps an engine last even longer as well as putting out a fraction of the pollution.One reason(well we all know there are plenty of political reasons...)this has not caught on is that people would still rather pay an exorbidant amount for that which is convenient.

Now if I can just figure out a prop, sails, and pontoons for the trip across the pond....

[Bobby Buggs]

The other unintended consequence will be that UPS/Fedex/USPS will now get a lot more of our boards to ship. At $50 each way, it will be cheaper to ship the board, along with a bunch of your lighter, bulkier items. Pre-print a fedex slip or USPS form before you go, bring one of those clear sleeves to stick on the box, and you are set for the return as well. Added bonus: your luggage won't get lost by the airline (instead USPS or Fedex will f it up).

I have done this a few times from Mass to Colorado with good results. Its nice not having to carry that 185 bag around airports. I put my boots and bindings in my carry on and pack the rest. I figure I can get anything I need at my destination besides my boots and bindings, I just trust the board will make it.

[Allee]

This is all so stupid. Fuel for the plane would be affected by the weight and not the number of bags, you would think. So all this will do is encourage people to stuff all their gear into a single bag, and then all the baggage handlers will go on strike because they're now too heavy to lift. Just screw all the surcharges, baggage fees and nickel and dime BS, and put up the prices. Everyone's expecting it anyway. All this add on crap just confuses people and is going to bring the legal eagles down on you, so make it simple.

The excess charges for golf clubs and ski bags were certainly overdue, I agree. I'm actually happy to pay those, as they're often heavy and must be a PITA to handle, and they do take up tons of space. If I choose to travel with my board gear, then I guess it's fair I should have to pay for the privilege.

Hopefully this will have the intended effect though - get people to pack lighter! Some of the people I see in the airport going on holidays take the entire contents of their damn houses with them. Ever hear of washing machines, people? They have them in the resort you're going to! My ex was always amazed how I could pack for 2 weeks overseas in a 65l backpack. I had a smaller backpack for a carry on (for toting around when I get there), but it was always practically empty on the flight. if I can do it, other people must be able to ...

[bumpyride]

If the airlines are concerned with the weight, they should allow a certain weight per passenger, including luggage, carry-ons, and their own bulk. Make them line up and get on a huge cattle scale and charge them for every pound over. Simple and fair.

If the passenger is under, give them a voucher for in-flight services or a meal at the airport. I like free food.

[Steve Prokopiw]

then fitter than the general populous bike or snowboard enthusiasts as a group would essentially get to take their stuff with them for free compared to the average American who is overweight or even obese.Think that's mean spirited? I've gotten to sit between two obese folks for a long flight...not fun.;nice people though.Adhereing to weight standards might have the side benefit of a fitter population;or it might result in a disturbing trend toward unhealthy weight purging(not that we don't see that now)They could have special barfing stations outside the terminal...Of course,there should be a surcharge for crying babies too...

[MUD]

They have weight limits on check and carry on luggage. They already enforce the checked limits..... Give it time, they will be enforcing the carry-ons as well.

Over the limit and you pay.

[patmoore]

As a two event racer (board and skis) I always have to be creative when packing. Going to the NASTAR Nationals this past March (via Northwest Air direct to Hayden) I packed a large snowboard bag with the board, skis, poles, and one boot. Weight was 48.5 lb. My boot bag had a helmet and pair of boots. My primary suitcase had the remaining boot, my tuning and waxing equipment and clothes. Weight was 49 lbs. My carryon consisted of my laptop where I posted a daily diary of the event. I had planned on shipping everything UPS to my hotel because, as an online retailer, I get a nice discount but the airline said I managed to stay under their limits so no extra cost was incurred. That was four months ago. Granted I travel with a lot of stuff but I can't exactly rent race gear....

Today it looks like shipping the same equipment will cost me a sizable fee. The UPS option is looking more attractive.

[paragonUE]

if you have to fly to your boarding destination, pretty soon itll be cheaper to just carry on your boots and buy a new board/bindings when you get there:eplus2:

[Fastskiguy]

of inspiring idiots to overstuff their carry-on and making the cabin ridiculously overcrowded.

Yeah, I used to be like "WTF?" when somebody trotted down the aisle with two big carryons, obviously oversized. Now I think that'll be common. I say...maybe it's time to fly first class?

[Keenan]

By the way, Alaska air has dropped all flights to Kamloops. I don't think there are any other U.S. airlines flying there either. The only other option is to fly to Kelowna and take a 2 1/2 hour shuttle. Our spring break plans have now changed.

[BobD]

where cheap airlines have had baggage restrictions for a while, people have been known to wear thier ski boots onto the plane. I believe some airports there have stopped this practice. but you might get away with here in the US for a while.

BobD

[Allee]

By the way, Alaska air has dropped all flights to Kamloops. I don't think there are any other U.S. airlines flying there either. The only other option is to fly to Kelowna and take a 2 1/2 hour shuttle. Our spring break plans have now changed.

That bites. Air Canada flies into there internally, but it's outrageously expensive.

That will dent their visitor numbers, I'm sure.

[John Gilmour]

Frontier is based out of Denver- they just went through a bankruptcy and are laying off a few people recently they went to just 1 checked bag... BUT in the past they gave you 2 bags +SKIS AND SNOWBOARDS AND BOOTS did not count as luggage.

No longer-- they screw you for everything.

My solution is to have a ridiculously heavy carry on A Zero Halliburton ZR-21 roller bag (mine sometimes tips the scales at 50lbs) batteries- anything metal, etc.. and then pack bulky things into the largest size checked bag and wear the bulky coats stuff the pockets with everything. When I get to where I am going I take a smaller nylon bag out to put the coats and stuff in and attach that to the larger bag. Always check bags through to your be charged only once if they get you for extra bags... the catch is if you clear customs they nail you again - a destination also the size restrictions for traveling domestically in Europe are even worse. So try when flying into another country try to clear customs in airport that is your final destination.

________

MEDICAL MARIJUANA STATES

[bigdyno]

I went to Europe in February and my brother flew from Edmonton, Alberta to meet us in Toronto. I had booked the tickets the previous September and he was allowed two checked and a carry on. When we returned to Toronto and were checking him in for his connecting flight home, Air Canada tried to charge us an extra $50 for skis/snow board. They tried to tell me that it was clearly stated when the tickets were purchased (it had only come in to effect on Feb. 1 while we were away).

I asked to talk to a manager and explained that this was not the case and nothing had been said to my brother on his initial flight. The manager said out of "good will" they would waive the charge this time, but be aware of it in the future.

I will gladly pay more to never fly Air Canada again. I hope that this time they go bankrupt the government doesn't step in and save them.

[bumpyride]

Well it looks like I'm going to be taking the Prius to any ski trip within a 1000 miles of Seattle/Tacoma. I figure 45 mpg which is a total of 45 gals @ $4.50 gives me a total of $202,50 roundtrip. No extra bag charge, carry as much as I want, split the cost with my son, no rental car fees, and we're money ahead already. Beside, by the time you figure you have to drive to the airport, be in the airport 2 hours ahead of schedule, be subject to a flight delay, get to the baggage claim and get your gear(if you're lucky), make your way to the car rental, and then backtrack to the ski area, it's probably not much longer to drive. Plus you can leave when you want and stay an extra day or two without incurring extra airline charges.

I used to be more concerned about the environment (hence the Prius and recycling everything), but with China putting 9000 cars on the road a day (India, I have no guess) and all the rich dicks still driving their penis envy SUV's, I don't much give a hoot anymore. I figure it's about another 8 years before things turn to crap, so I might just as well continue to have as much fun possibe. I'll still do what I figure is the responsible thing, but I'm not going to sacrifice my fun for the rest of the dicks in the world. At least I know I tried.

P.S. I wont' be attending any NASCAR events.

P.S.S. I figured out a cure for the homeless. Take a couple of SUV's and turn them into a stretch and give them away to the homeless. They'll have a dvd player, Corinthian leather, and heated seats. It will at least provide someone with a roof over their head rather than turning the SUVs into scrap. You might even be able to turn it into a major tax deduction.

[Fastskiguy]

I forget exactly how it goes but two in a prius is better for the environment (I think) than two in a full jet but it's pretty close I think. As far as time, chicago to the continental divide is a little over 1000 miles. If you fly to Denver, get thru rental car hell, and everything goes perfectly (no delays, bags make it, rental car hell goes OK, etc.), sometimes you can hit the slopes at Loveland by noon. Once in awhile 11:30. But you have to get up at 2:30AM to make it an things have to go just right. My dad and his buddy are into driving it, leaving at 4AM, getting to Denver by 6-7PM, getting a good night sleep, then hitting the snow on day 2. So it can be worth a solid half day if things go just right. You're wrecked by the night on day 1 but you've gotten some riding out of it. Coming home...well you can usually go until 1 or 2, buzz down to Denver, make it to Ohare by 11PM, then home by 1AM so you can get another 3/4ths day in at the end vs. driving. My dad and his buddy will ski until 3PM, drive until 10PM, then finish up getting home the next day. They drive the speed limit in his caddie and get about 25mpg for the whole trip and don't ever feel totally strung out from air travel and getting up at 2:30am, getting home at 1am.

So if it's a 5 day trip, I guess us in Chicago are stuck flying but if it's a week, driving starts to look really good.

Well it looks like I'm going to be taking the Prius to any ski trip within a 1000 miles of Seattle/Tacoma. I figure 45 mpg which is a total of 45 gals @ $4.50 gives me a total of $202,50 roundtrip. No extra bag charge, carry as much as I want, split the cost with my son, no rental car fees, and we're money ahead already. Beside, by the time you figure you have to drive to the airport, be in the airport 2 hours ahead of schedule, be subject to a flight delay, get to the baggage claim and get your gear(if you're lucky), make your way to the car rental, and then backtrack to the ski area, it's probably not much longer to drive. Plus you can leave when you want and stay an extra day or two without incurring extra airline charges.

[bumpyride]

For those of you who have a legitimate excuse for a giant SUV, (such as driving 4 plus people to the ski hill, or hauling something large, I'm not referring to you as a rich dick. Those of you who are doing otherwise because you can afford it, or think you can afford it, I am, because we really can't afford an attitude like that. I love seeing one of those honkers pull into the lot with 1 person in it, and don't get me started on that HUMMER/VIAGRA advertising campaign.

So my rebuild on the church is going splendidly.

[Steve Prokopiw]

is most definitely the cheapest and can be close to the time it takes to fly.We went down to Boise,a 450 mile trip from where I live,to bike race and had five of us in the team vehicle which happens to be the worst milage car for it's size that may have ever been built,a Dodge Durango.It was 55.00 apiece for about 1000 miles round trip (including driving to various races while in Boise)for fuel and we took turns driving.If I am able to con anyone from up here to go to Aspen for SES this year,we will likely take our Chevy hhr which gets 30mpg at the speed limit and more at slighty below.It is a long overnight trip,so depending on which loop we take,we would stop either at Targhee or one of the Salt Lake areas for a 1/2 day and then get to Aspen late the second night.Anyway I liked driving even when airfares were cheap because I can take absolutely everything I might need and some stuff I don't.The American way!

[bumpyride]

By my guesstimate it will be an extra $400 tacked onto your air fare is you bring a boardbag and one regular suitcase, and that's on top of your airfare.

Some enterprising guys should invest in some decent extra boards and rent them out for $100/week, with the option of getting demo boards from the manufacturers, it might be feasible, plus you have the option of trying out different boards.