Overhead bins to get more crowded

US Airways and United have announced this month that they will allow only one free checked bag — passengers with more luggage will pay $25 for their second bag.

That's fine. I don't have two bags to check.

But some people do (8 percent, according to US Airways), and this will encourage them to schlep them on the plane as carry-ons.

If anything, we should be providing incentives for more people to check bags, since the fewer carry-ons people have, the faster the boarding process and the more room in the overhead bins for my bags.

Comments

Tom Clancy said…
Agree completely, but I'm guessing it's because people are far less likely to lose their own luggage than the airlines are, which probably saves a lot of money.
February 27, 2008
Anonymous said…
Every checked bag requires a paid baggage handler to load it onto/unload it off of the plane. These employees cost money, often have labor disputes, and typically are unionized employees.

Find me the passenger who is unionized to carry on their luggage, and you may have an argument.
February 28, 2008
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