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Forget about weighing my bag ... weigh that passenger in 21-B

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner CalBRE# 01433049

zee planeI have to admit there is something about airline baggage rules that I don't understand. While the airline is carefully checking the weight that goes into the cargo area, why aren't they checking the weight of the passengers?

A pound is a pound, is it not? If my bag weighs more than 50 pounds, I have to pay extra. But what about the passenger that weighs 100 pounds more than I do, why don't they have to pay more as well?

And while I'm at it, did you know the airlines started charging to check your bags curbside?

I had $2.00 in my hand to tip the skycap, just to learn that the airline charges $2.00 to check each bag as a "convenience fee". Mind you, that's on top of the $20.00 I paid to get my bag on the plane in the first place.

If you are traveling for the holidays, you might want to stuff a few extra dollar bills in your pocket. I thought I had started out with enough to tip the shuttle drivers AND skycaps, but the airline held out their hand not once, but twice.

I enjoy traveling and especially flying but ... seriously??? Come on, airlines, figure out a fair way to distribute the cost of actual weight on a plane and stop stealing tips from the skycaps.

 

 

Posted by

 

Cynthia Larsen (707-332-2560) is an independent real estate referral broker in Sonoma County, California as well as a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist.

CA Broker License #01433049

Comments (14)

Angela Lyons
REAZO - Missoula, MT
Reazo.com for home buyers and sellers.

Are you suggesting that only thin people should be able to fly?

Dec 22, 2011 09:22 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Golly, Grant, that is exactly what I suggested. You are really good at reading between the lines.

Dec 22, 2011 09:42 AM
Janell Kittleson
Rentec Direct - Grants Pass, OR
Rentec Direct

Boy wouldn't I love it if I didn't have to pay full-price for my 4-year old who really just sits on my lap!  Then again, there should be a surcharge for annoying, screaming kids....  :)

Dec 22, 2011 11:03 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Janell - sounds like the two of us could really revamp the airline charging system!

Dec 22, 2011 11:12 AM
Deborah Byron Leffler BzyBee Real Estate Lady!
Keller Williams Realty Boise - Nampa, ID

Interesting....I did curbside check in when I flew out here a week ago and I didn't get charged a surcharge...I wonder if that is certain airlines???  

And I am glad they don't weigh passengers!   yikes!

Dec 22, 2011 11:52 AM
David Spencer
Keller Williams Northland - Kansas City, MO
Show Me real estate in Kansas City

Thirty years ago airlines used 200 lbs as the passenger standard including bag. This was increased when seat sizes were expanded (not enough if you are in the middle). The seat size does not account for 300 lbs. You need to switch sides of the plane from that passenger.

Dec 22, 2011 12:10 PM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Deborah - I flew from Oakland which didn't have curbside check-in. I flew back from Portland (OR) and Alaska Airlines was charging $2.00 a bag.

David - interesting facts! It seems to me there should be a passenger & bag threshold, then charge for the overage. For example, lets say 250 pounds is the limit, then the passenger would pay for the overage per pound. If weight on a plane is crucial, and I think it must be, then why aren't passengers weighed? I seriously don't get it.

Dec 22, 2011 12:31 PM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

I don't understand tipping Skycaps anymore. It was different when someone actually carried your bags for you but why should you tip to have them placed on a belt?

Dec 22, 2011 02:03 PM
Shirley Parks
Sands Realty 210-414-0966 - San Antonio, TX
Broker, 210-414-0966, San Antonio TX Real Estate

I recently flew on Southwest and they didn't charge for curbside check-in, but I tipped $2 per bag.

Dec 22, 2011 02:19 PM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Richard - call me old school!

Shirley - I saw a SouthWest commercial that said they don't even charge for a bag!! Nice to see you again, thanks for stopping by!

Dec 22, 2011 02:29 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Check it out.  http://www.allfacebook.com/facebook-travel-2-2011-12  An answer to your prayers.  I no longer love flying.  Just get me there.

Dec 22, 2011 03:02 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Cynthia you made me LOL...........why not charge passengers by the pound..............too funny.  I love to fly, but I haven't checked a bag in years.  If I can't carry it on, I don't need it!

Dec 22, 2011 03:40 PM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Cynthia - We're rapidly approaching the point where airline travel will qualify as its own special circle-of-hell experience. Wouldn't that be a cool job - sitting around trying to come up with new ways to generate misery?

Dec 23, 2011 02:31 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Jane - social seating? I've been thinking of deleting my Facebook account and this may have just pushed me over the edge.

Roger - I just don't get weighing the bags and not the passengers. The plane needs to be able to get off the ground, doesn't it? The only reason I had a check-on bag was because of Christmas presents. Otherwise it would have been a much lighter trip :)

Dick - somebody already has that cool job and they are doing it justice.

Dec 23, 2011 02:59 AM