MNeagle
14th April 2010, 02:34 PM
Carry-On Bag Fees Draw Senators’ Cries of ‘Let My Briefcase Go’
By John Hughes
April 14 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. airline fees for carry-on bags were deemed “a slap,†“outrageous†and “skyway robbery†as six Democratic senators moved to ban the practice after Spirit Airlines Inc. said it will charge passengers as much as $45 to stow luggage in overhead airplane compartments.
“Let my briefcase go,†Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey said at a news conference in Washington today. “We’re going from the sublime to the ridiculous with airlines.â€
Carriers are seeking revenue beyond ticket sales with fees for checked baggage, seat assignments, snacks and pillows as fares last year stagnated at 1998 levels amid the recession. Lawmakers introduced legislation to ban carry-on fees after closely held Spirit said April 6 it will charge $30 in advance and $45 at the gate starting in August.
“When you charge for a carry-on bag it’s a slap for anyone who flies,†Senator Charles Schumer of New York said. “It’s time to draw the line.â€
Schumer said he also will press for legislation to tax carry-on fees unless Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner uses his power to do so.
Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota deemed the fees “outrageous,†and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire called them “skyway robbery.†Robert Menendez of New Jersey said passengers are “getting nickled and dimed for essentials†and quipped that coin-operated seat recliners could be next.
“This is just wrong,†Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland said of the carry-on fees.
Spirit’s Defense
The carry-on charge is part of a broader fare and fee restructuring by Spirit, which the Miramar, Florida-based company says will lower some passengers’ costs, speed up security lines and boarding and reduce delays.
“Spirit is reaching out to their offices to clarify information that has been misrepresented in the media,†Misty Pinson, a company spokeswoman, said of the senators in an e- mailed statement. “We are confident that once they see the complete story that they will agree that this is for the benefit of all customers.â€
UAL Corp.’s United Airlines was the first major U.S. carrier to impose a luggage fee in 2008 when it began charging for a second checked bag. Most major airlines charge at least $20 to check one bag and $30 for a second, and permit carry-on bags and personal items for free.
Spirit said earlier this week that passengers signing up for its discount fare club, at a cost of $39.95 a year, will pay $20 for carry-on bags when they prepay using the Internet. The carrier is lowering fees for prepaid checked bags for club members, to $15 for the first and second bags from $19 for one and $25 for the second.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=adZ0AxT_Bl2o&pos=9
By John Hughes
April 14 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. airline fees for carry-on bags were deemed “a slap,†“outrageous†and “skyway robbery†as six Democratic senators moved to ban the practice after Spirit Airlines Inc. said it will charge passengers as much as $45 to stow luggage in overhead airplane compartments.
“Let my briefcase go,†Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey said at a news conference in Washington today. “We’re going from the sublime to the ridiculous with airlines.â€
Carriers are seeking revenue beyond ticket sales with fees for checked baggage, seat assignments, snacks and pillows as fares last year stagnated at 1998 levels amid the recession. Lawmakers introduced legislation to ban carry-on fees after closely held Spirit said April 6 it will charge $30 in advance and $45 at the gate starting in August.
“When you charge for a carry-on bag it’s a slap for anyone who flies,†Senator Charles Schumer of New York said. “It’s time to draw the line.â€
Schumer said he also will press for legislation to tax carry-on fees unless Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner uses his power to do so.
Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota deemed the fees “outrageous,†and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire called them “skyway robbery.†Robert Menendez of New Jersey said passengers are “getting nickled and dimed for essentials†and quipped that coin-operated seat recliners could be next.
“This is just wrong,†Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland said of the carry-on fees.
Spirit’s Defense
The carry-on charge is part of a broader fare and fee restructuring by Spirit, which the Miramar, Florida-based company says will lower some passengers’ costs, speed up security lines and boarding and reduce delays.
“Spirit is reaching out to their offices to clarify information that has been misrepresented in the media,†Misty Pinson, a company spokeswoman, said of the senators in an e- mailed statement. “We are confident that once they see the complete story that they will agree that this is for the benefit of all customers.â€
UAL Corp.’s United Airlines was the first major U.S. carrier to impose a luggage fee in 2008 when it began charging for a second checked bag. Most major airlines charge at least $20 to check one bag and $30 for a second, and permit carry-on bags and personal items for free.
Spirit said earlier this week that passengers signing up for its discount fare club, at a cost of $39.95 a year, will pay $20 for carry-on bags when they prepay using the Internet. The carrier is lowering fees for prepaid checked bags for club members, to $15 for the first and second bags from $19 for one and $25 for the second.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=adZ0AxT_Bl2o&pos=9