Letter to the Editor
Flying fares
Published Monday, May 19, 2008
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To the editor:
I wanted to point out to the community at large a change in the policy regarding baggage at Alaska Airlines. Following suit with other carriers such as Northwest, Alaska is now limiting all regular passengers (not first class or MVP Gold) to one free checked piece of luggage if you are leaving the state.
Additional pieces of luggage are $50 each as long as they are with the standard carriage guidelines of the airline. Otherwise they will charge you additional fees along within the basic handling fee. This goes into effect July 1.
I understand that the ever-increasing price of fuel is driving the cost of flying up. Trust me, after paying almost $1,000 dollars to visit family in the Lower 48 I feel the pinch just as much as the airlines.
But is charging for standard luggage the best way to make ends meet? I’m leaving for two weeks and, incidentally, leaving before the July 1 cutoff. So on the way out I get two free bags but on the return trip I’m expected to fork over an additional $50 on top of the cost of my extremely expensive ticket just to get my bag home. This really irks me, and when I contacted the company about it they merely quoted their new policy and told me to enjoy my trip. If I wanted this kind of attitude from my airline I’d fly Delta.
I am honestly appalled that Alaska Airlines is treating its customers in such a manner. Alaska residents pay enough as it is to travel. We are almost a captive consumer group here in Fairbanks, as much of the year we only have one choice of carrier, and this is not a fair way to repay our patronage. Let the company that takes so much from our business know that their policies are unfair. We may not all fly first class, but we should all be treated as if our business is valuable.
Community Discussion
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Alaska Airlines forgot the definition of the word "service" the second that Markair went out of business. We NEED some serious airline competition up here.
Amen Swanny!
Hate to tell you this but every major carrier has added the second bag fee its not just alaska airlines. When other major carriers service fairbanks year round you will see that they will charge you too for the second bag. Fuel is expensive just like when you fuel up your car. With airlines everytime a barrel of oil goes up a dollar it cost them 10 million dollars more a year. So you can do the math. Yeah living in Alaska you have to pay a lot for an airline ticket your also very far away from the lower 48. You can always drive to your destation if you don't want the luxury to be there in a day, but with gas prices at the pump and what your vechile gets for gas mileage, hotel. etc you may just break even. Espically with gas prices in canada. Yes the service of airlines isn't what it used to be 20 years ago but an barrel of oil isn't either. So for the 20% of people that actually check in a second bag be prepared to pay an extra $50 for whoever whom your flying, just like when you go to the pump and swipe your credit card and pay 300% more than 7yrs ago for that gasoline. Sucks but there isn't much you can do about it. You can drive less. Just like you can pack less and avoid the second checked bag.
Bill Ayers has not done Alaska Air any favors since becoming CEO. Bruce Kennedy, now that man could run an airline!
In Europe, there is an airline called Ryan Air. They sometimes charge just a penny for a seat. How do they do it? They sell advertising. The seat backs, the overheads; virtually any surface on the plane is open for advertising. Now that's savvy business acumen!
Weight and baggage is all about weight and balance. This new baggage fee has been implemented to make money for the company, not to offset fuel prices. You see, the public is already imposed a fuel surcharge on every ticket sold.
Best advise: don't pack jeans (the don't pack well), keep clothing basic colors to mix and match, choose clothing that will dry quickly if you have to improvise on-route, leave your curling iron at home, try to limit taking one pair of shoes in your bag and wear your coat onboard.
Frankly, since we're captive audiences I like the way Ryan Air does business much, much better...it's sustainable...making customers bleed, is not.
Cmon folks...get a reality check. We live in a whole new world...things we used to enjoy are more expensive and services we had come to use as free now have a charge attached. Quit bitching every time someone charges you something. You are not ENTITLED to anything. Pay the fee and deal with it or stay home.
I have to agree with oldakcuss. Look on a map. It's not as though Fairbanks is in close proximity to anyone or anything but wilderness. If you can't afford Alaska Airline's fee, mail your suitcase. I'm sure you'll see the savings Alaska Air is giving you in freight fees.
I definitely agree with Dove and Oldakcuss. We are damn lucky to enjoy the level of service we have and the frequency of flights we have. Cost per mile, the fares are still a bargain.
Everyone wants something for nothing these days and fails to consider what stuff really cost industry. In addition to being accountable to their stockholders they also have to deal with a multitude of government BS, pay huge fees and taxes and still try to make us happy. On balance, I think they are doing a pretty good job.
Jenna use some of that FREE money you get every year (PFD)to pay for that extra bag. If you are dissatisfied you can drive or you can drive to ANC and take another carrier or you can stay home. America offers endless possibilities; however, the airline owes you exactly nothing other than safe passage.
Call your elected officals, enough calls and they will get you FREE airplane tickets just because we have lots of money to throw away, after all we do not have to make a profit to stay in business, all we have to do is raise taxes, now theres something to CRY about, not a few penneys for "extras" have a good trip., one way would be cheaper..
Maybe Sarah could buy us all airline tickets.
Those people who travel for business, and medical will still travel. Those people who, on the spur of the moment, used to travel, will not. Plain and simple--a lot of people won't be able to afford to travel, so they won't.
That means that services people desire need to be closer to home.
Ryan Air charges for everything though. Here is there baggage break down:
Passengers travelling on a reservation with checked baggage are required to check-in at the airport and are subject to an airport check-in fee of £4/€5 (or local currency equivalent) per person/per one way flight.
Each passenger is permitted to check in up to a maximum of 3 bags combined weight of 15kgs subject to the payment of the applicable checked baggage fees. Checked baggage booked online is charged per bag/per one way flight at a discounted rate of £8/€10 for the first bag and £16/€20 for each additional bag/ per one way flight. If checked baggage fees are paid either at the airport or through a Ryanair call centre, the standard rate of £16/€20 per bag/per one way flight will apply.
No pooling or sharing of baggage allowances is permitted, even within a party travelling on the same reservation.
Any passenger exceeding their 15kg personal checked baggage allowance will be charged the prevailing fee on the day of travel. The excess baggage fee is currently at the rate of £12/€15 per kilo (or local currency equivalent).
There is no checked baggage allowance for infants. However, one fully collapsible pushchair may be carried free of charge. Additional infant equipment such as car/booster seats and travel cots are charged at £8/€10 per item/per one way flight. If infant equipment fees are paid for at the airport or through a Ryanair call centre, the standard rate of £16/€20 per item/per one way flight will apply.
A great option if you are traveling light. I did.
Looks like 'nickel and dime' scheme to me.
The extra baggage fee covers the costs of the Homeland Security regs.
After reading all of the coments on this issue it rapidly becomes appearent, if we need to fly someplace we will do what ever it takes and pay the cost. That's life in todays world! I don't have to like it and I'm one of the first in line to complain when my 1 piece of luggage gets the West Coast tour via Fresno 'cause some airline bozo stuck on the wrong baggage tag (FYI instead of FAI). There IS something wrong when airlines advertise how great their service is and how much they support the average flier. Sadly here in fairbanks we only have Alaska Airlines flying year round so we can't vote with our dollar(and Alaska Airlines knows it). Bring on Ryan Air and Virgin Air, I'll pay for quality service.
I'm a woman and I've never needed to take more than 1 bag. What are you all taking with you?
I've went to Mexico with my husband for a week and we shared one bag. Of course that was only summer clothes, but wow! We didn't need any more space than that. Thn we just used the extra bag I packed inside ur regular bag for souveniers.
Maybe the airlines are thinking people take more junk then they need.
I would also like to thank Alaska Airlines. They could eally gouge us, but they have managed tokeep their prices reasonable for us! I sure couldn't drive to Chicago for what they charge me...
In general, we get good service and good options from Alaska Air. Of course, it's frustrating to pay fees that have previously been included, such as baggage, meals, etc. But it does make sense to have people pay for the services they use, and we'll get used to it quickly - change still sucks though. Also, the first extra bag is $25, the 2nd through the 6th are $100 each, and any more than that are $150 each. The $50 fee applies to any bag that is heavier or larger than acceptable. Full details are available at
http://www.alaskaair.com/as/www2/company...
so will I be reimbursed if they send my bags to the wrong city? Not that this hasn't happened twice in the past 8 months to me or anything.
Have you ever flown Ryanair? There's a damn good reason they're the most hated airline in the world. I've flown them a few times, and I'll never do it again. In contrast, I've had nothing but good experiences flying with Alaska.
I have flown Ryan Air, and for the price, I found the flight quite nice. There was no in flight service or any service really, but for the pennies I paid, I just sat there and and counted the money I saved.
Exactly Sherry. Look people, we are lucky to have Alaska Airlines. Don't you realize the more luggae the more problems and weight on an aircraft? Alaska Airlines is a good airline. People pack too much shi# to begin with. Make it easier on everyone and travel light.
In fact, dress appropriately in the event of an emergency. I always have a back up plan in the event of flight CXCL or airport disruption. Your carry on should include emergency items.
We do get get good service with our airlines. It's simply that people expect so much and pack too much. Remember if a million dollar jet flys for less than it costs to operate , the airline goes under. We don't want that.
Alaska tenatively does have potential links with Virgin Air.
Many people travel out of state to reach anything from thier educational goals to playing in sporting events and tournaments. Each of these require an individual to bring more then one carry-on and one piece of luggage. Don't just say pack light (its a choice to bring more luggage) when going on vacation, that is narrow-minded in scope.
Concomitantly, I would not mind and have never whined about taking more then two bags in the past and will not whine in the future when travelling with more then one checked bag. I am willing to pay my share for a fast and frequent flight out of Fairbanks.
I am glad that Alaska Airlines is always ready to help your individual situation, no matter how insignificant it is to their buisiness.
Calling and complaining to the airlines about their change in policy is like calling McDonalds furious over their policy change to 0 grams trans fat... while this is good for you in the long run.
Alaska Air does need competition. Once that left they went downhill fast. I cannot remember the last time they were on time. My last flight with Southwest was the best one I can ever recall. On time and no lost bags. Alaska Air needs to get their act together. It was worth driving to Anchorage to bypass Alaska Air.
Alaska Air has competition, ever hear of Frontier Flying Service or Era Aviation? Connect to Continental or any one of the other majors in Anchorage.
Good luck checking more than one bag for free though.
the problem is change... people have a issue with change. when you can bring 2 bags since for ever and now its one well you ask why. if it was for weight savings does an extra 50 dollars really make a difference? i see all kinds of fees since 9/11. go rent a car and look at all the extra fees. im heading to vegas and my car cost 80 bucks with 39 dollars in other fees?
remember when your ticket price also got you a meal? theres more but the bottom line is most people dont like change. you do things for years one way then in a blink its not allowed?????
also i like two bags for the trip home after hawaii for gifts and things....two for leaving for fish etc....to my family. over all im happy with alaska airlines but other choices would be sweet.
peace
I agree with flyer5000. Airlines charge what they charge to stay in business. You don't see Alaska Airlines making tons of money and posting record profits. Even with the competition to Anchorage there prices haven't budged much because that is what they need to charge to stay in business. Every other airline is the same. If you don't like it, don't fly. If you want to take an extra bag, fine, pay for it. Maybe if you sweet talk the flight attendant you can get a free digi player.
I lived in the bush for over 20 years, not a larger hub. When I traveled to Anchorage it cost anywhere from $600 to $700 just for the ticket, just to there, now add on to that to travel further. I used to see fares from Anchorage to Paris for less than $600. Most of the reason people from the rest of the state travel to Anchorage or Fairbanks is to purchase lots of items, clothes, groceries, toys for the kids, bar-b-ques, etc. They do not have the luxury of just running over to Freddies when something is needed. Most of the stuff can be mailed but people bring lots of things back to the villages via the airline, 1 bag will not do it! For that $600 ticket, we got this: traveling on a palatized plane that is only 20% on time, no gate hookup- we have to walk from the plane to the airport building in freezing, blowing weather and elders have to climb long stairs up to the terminal. I can't tell you the number of times I have seen elders fall on those stairs! Go look at where the passengers from Barrow, Bethel and Kotzebue have to board at the Anchorage airport... the very furthest gates. The bush people pay the highest fares and get the cheapest service. I makes me feel like those of us in bush Alaska do not even count. We should count because, afterall, we paid for that mini mall at Alaska Airlines home port, Seattle.
There ARE airlines out there growing and making money. Virgin and Midwest Express are two carriers that are all about customer service, luxury and affordable airfares.
How do they do it? They carefully choose their route structure, they don't participate in predatory price structure (to run other airlines out of business), they encourage an entrepeneurial spirit in their employees to think outside the box and their service and amenities foster consumer loyalty...customers will pay extra to fly on them.
We should be mad that routes in the Lower 48 flying more miles, cost less than routes flying less miles in Alaska! Simply put, it means that your beloved Alaska Airlines continues to stay in business at the expense of Alaskans: we pay more so that others can pay less.
We should be embarrassed at what passes as 'customer service' in this country. The rest of the world whips our butts...travel