Spirit Air- right or wrong?

[Squidnation]

Watching the news and 5 airlines said they will never charge for carry on Bags. Spirit if you haven't read will start charging as much a $45 per carry on bag. Spirit says that it will reduce the loading and unloading passangers on the plane. They also said that they will reduce the cost of some fares and checked luggage rates to offset the cost of the carry on bags.

Is this a good idea or a bad idea? Some peoples idea of a carry on bag has gotten a bit rediculous. And then you are allowed a hand bag as well as a carry on bag on. I saw on lady last week who's hand bag was bigger then her carry on.

If they truly are doing this to get people on and off the plane faster then I suggest they get rid of the checked baggage fee all together and raise the carry on bag rate up to $100.00. I don't fly spirit but I can see there logic in this.

[OffTheHookB&T]

Only time will tell, if the market supports this move and it doesn't effect demand then they made the right move. That's what is great about capitalism, the consumers will decide if it is a good idea or not. If only our government worked that way........

[BarryTurano]

Does Spirit charge for checked bags? If the don't (like Southwest it is a great idea) If they do then it is a rip off. If I recall the idea of charging for checked bags was to offset the rising fuel cost of a few years back. The cost of fuel has come down the cost of tickets have not and there is still a checked baggage fee. WTF!!!!

[clt_capt]

It really comes down to what happens with Spirit's Ticket prices and checked baggage fees - If they have lowered their ticket prices and checked baggage fees more than the $45.00 carry-on charge, then they have a chance of being successful.

Only time will tell.

I know that I will not check my laptop and I don't see my company covering a $45.00 expense...

[whitey]

I was watching cnbc this weekend they said Spirit is getting around a tax loophole with the lower costs of tickets but they were making up the revenue by charging for carry on bags. They said the government was going to pursue the matter so they can't avoid the taxes.

[Guatemala Dave]

I flew to Guatemala on Spirit last month and I have to admit that My wife, Son and myself had maximum sized carry on as did every one else. There were also plenty that had over the limit bags trying to cram them them overhead. It makes bording and off loading a real pain in the...

The following is a letter sent to me a s a customer trying to explain what is going on. If they really do keep the total price less or the same I don't see any problem with having to check bags. I have no interest in the following except that I'm trying to figure it all out as well.

(from Spirit Airlines)

To our valued customers,

We have all seen how carry-on baggage has gotten out of control. Longer security lines and boarding process, injuries due to overcrowded overhead bins, delayed flights and passenger frustration has become commonplace.

At Spirit, we are always looking for new ways to save you money and improve the customer experience. We recently announced our latest innovation, which is designed to relieve the carry-on crisis, saving you time and money.

Our solution to the carry-on crisis:

Lowered fares
Lower checked bag fees
Give everyone a free personal item allowance
Allow customers to carry on an additional bag for a fee and give them
priority boarding so they have time and space to stow their extra bag
Everyone Wins!

We expect total prices to be lower
Security lines will move faster
The boarding process will be smoother
Deplaning will be faster
Passenger and employee safety is improved with less over-stuffed bins
What to expect for travel after August 1st:

We have introduced PENNY PLUS™ fares available to our $9 Fare Club members*** that are 1¢ each way, based on roundtrip purchase, plus fuel, taxes and fees*.
These are just a few examples of the large selection of PENNY PLUS* fares that are only available for $9 Fare Club members. Not a member? Click here to join now!


Ticket
Fuel
Taxes & Fees
Total

Atlanta – Myrtle Beach
1¢
$12.68**
$18.70
$31.39* E/W

Boston – Myrtle Beach
1¢
$28.38**
$18.70
$47.09* E/W

Detroit – Fort Lauderdale
1¢
$37.56**
$18.70
$56.27* E/W

Detroit – Las Vegas
1¢
$55.82**
$18.70
$74.53* E/W




We have lowered checked bag fees for $9 Fare Club members. A family of four checking four bags round-trip will save $80. Double the cost of being a $9 Fare Club member. Another reason to join now. Click here to join.
You can bring a FREE personal item onboard, such as a purse, briefcase, backpack or laptop computer. Other exceptions are: assistive devices, medicine, umbrella, outer garments (coats, hats, wraps), camera, car seat/stroller, infant diaper bag, reading material for the flight, or food for immediate consumption.
If you choose to bring an extra carry-on bag, you may do so for $20 if purchased online as a $9 Fare Club member or $30 online, at the airport ticket counter or kiosk for non-members. If you choose to wait until the gate to pay, the fee will be $45 which is not preferred since it will slow the boarding process.
Shorter, faster security and boarding lines. Less frustration while boarding and deplaning. Fewer delays.
Happier customers that pay less!
See you onboard soon! We’ll keep working to improve your experience and lower your fare.

Ben Baldanza
President and Chief Executive Officer
Spirit Airlines

[JD5652]

I don't think it's a smart move from a customer service or business perspective. I fly a lot and the "nickle and dime" mentality of a lot of airlines is wearing thin on most business travelers. I would rather all fees be included up front and let me pay once. U.S. Airlines are looking more like the public bus sytem is Guatemala every day. I try not to fly U.S. airlines when traveling outside of the U.S. because I find the customer service MUCH BETTER and the prices are competitive.

I flew Spirit airlines a few years ago and I did not find them very impressive.....relatively speaking.....what's next??....a credit card slot on the head???

[Squidnation]

I agree JD. The nickel and dimeing in the industry is getting a bit much. $2.00 for a head set. cc swipes for movies, $7.00 drinks, $5.00 snack boxes, walking up and down the isle selling duty free and then pimping the credit card application. Checked bag fees, high change flight fees, no more stand by etc.

When in Central american I try to fly TACA or LAN or TAM in South America. Service is unbelieveable. OK meals, free drinks, choice of movies, outlets for laptops oh and the flight attendents are usally hot and under 50. Have you been on a US Air or Continental flight lately. The flight attendents looked like it was a casting call for a Golden Girls remake.

But this carry charge I feel is almost a good idea. people have gone way overboard on the carry on stuff. I saw a mother and daughter board a plane the other day. The daughters carry on was so big that I think she was hiding her little brother in it.

[Double D]

I've flown Spirit alot, but never will again. Its a shame because they are the only real option out of Atlantic City, which is a very convenient airport.

The last straw came last month when my kids flew alone to see their grandparents in FL. $100 extra per kid (for what I'm not sure). I gave them $20 each for drinks/snacks. But the stewardess would not give them anything to drink since they only take credit cards.

Unfortunately the baggage and other fees look like they will be with us from now on:

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Spirit Airlines rang up 21% of its fourth-quarter operating revenue from the extra fees it charges customers, including checked-on baggage and reservation changes, the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics said Monday. The data follows the carrier's move last month to begin charging passengers for carry-on luggage as well, a move that's been met with political opposition. But it was Delta Air Lines that collected the most in extra fees in the fourth quarter: more than $425.7 million. Altogether, airlines collected $2.7 billion in baggage fees, $2.4 billion from reservation changes and $2.7 billion from other ancillary revenue. Such extra fees have become the norm as airlines struggle to keep their airfare low and competitive

[Robja]

I for one am sick of the amount of carry on I see. Our flight to Costa Rica in January was full and it took forever to get off the plane because there was not any empty space in the overhead bins and people were perusing up and down the isle trying to find their stuff. I always carry a napsack with my camera and laptop and it fits under the seat. I was reading something this morning where the airlines collected 7.8 billion last year on ancillary fees with the majority coming from checked bag fees.