05.22.2008 6:22 pm
Just in case you forgot, Southwest reminds us that bags fly for free
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
In the wake of American Airlines’ news Wednesday that it’ll start charging $15 to check a bag, competitor Southwest Airlines just wanted to remind everyone that it still lets you check not just one, but two, pieces of luggage — for free.
Southwest, St. Louis’ second-biggest airline, just put out a press release to “re-affirm” it’s two-item free baggage allowance (read it here), despite reports that it was mulling a change.
“That is not true,” the airline said of the reports. “We want to assure you that Southwest Airlines still allows you to check up to two free bags when you travel with us, and has no plans to change that.”
Well, that clears that up. And needles American in the process.
I think American has lost their mind. I would think the cost of handling baggage would be included in the price of the ticket. I also think the government needs to step up and tell them they can not charge this on tickets that were purchased before they made this change.
American is fooling itself in a way that reminds me of the goofy cable company in the TV spot for DirecTV. Business is bad, customer satisfaction is low…..Let’s raise the price! American’s problems are mostly customer service based. Even if the price is the same as Southwest (many times it’s actually a little lower) I still choose to fly Southwest because of the inevitable customer service attitudes I have come to expect from American employees. Not to mention the expected delays and lost baggage. If the $15 baggage check fee was like a lottery ticket that paid 10 to 1 if they lost your bag, I would gladly pay it! Unfortunately, it probably makes better sense actuarilly if they paid out 10 to 1 if you GET you bag on time!