Still Traveling

By elliott

March 26, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

We as a family pretty much always drive for vacation.. We last year went out west but rented a bigger van and went with family. we’ll be driving to Fort Myers this summer.. Flying would be nice but way too much for a family of 5.. Besides the trip really can be lots of fun..

By JJ

March 26, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this

Last summer we went on the trip of a lifetime, so this summer we are staying close to home. We will be spending a week in Hilton Head this summer.

I will NEVER fly Delta again, as long as I live. (DELTA - DONT EXPECT LUGGAGE TO ARRIVE).

By elliott

March 26, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

we will be driving for vacation this year. we drove out to arizona last year and rented a bigger van and traveled with family.. Flying would be great but the trip can be lots of fun. we are going to fort myers this year . as long as we plan ahead we can afford the trip.. flying is just too much for a family of 5.

By Willie

March 26, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Vacation He**! I just want to pay my bills.

By On The Road Again

March 26, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

We go to Calif. every May for our weekly vacation. I landed a $230RT ticket each to SFO and am so happy with being proactive. The rest of the year are long weekends and usually drive, unless it is a quick weekend to NYC or Chicago. For our beach trips, we try to offset the gas prices with a cheaper hotel. Hotwire seems to always come thru for us! My rule of thumb for flying is: trips only more than 6 hours and if the flight is cheaper than gas, fly. I hate the ATL airport as it is rat maze. You really have the psych yourself up before you walk in the door. As for the bag fee, it does not affect us. I believe in traveling with one carry on bag, items color coordinated and wear something twice. You can always find a cleaners or hotel laundry. For long trips, we check one bag but got caught last time with a weight fee. Everyone, watch how much your bag weighs. Some larger suitcase weigh at least half of the allowed weight, so look for lightweight suitcases. The jumbo size suitcases are too heavy - go with a medium size. As long as we have Airtran in the ATL market, fares will stay reasonable. Competition, supply and demand control the prices. Companies have long cut back on business travel and the leisure travel market demand may go down and see the airlines backing off of higher prices and extra fees. With all the BS going on in the world today, travelling is one vice we should all enjoy. Just be smart and stick to your budget. Bon voyage!

By Jozef

March 26, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

Within the continental US, I usually drive. For anything that can be reached within a day of driving (around 900 miles), I don’t even consider flying; for anything longer than that I try to get a few days off and do some sightseeing along the way. I do fly to Europe quite often, though, and in that case I prefer Continental, even if it means changing planes in Newark. I’m hoping, though, that we get more flights from European airlines once the Open Skies agreement is in effect.

By Driver

March 26, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this

We’ve made several trips this last year throughout the Southeast: Charleston twice, Gulf Coast Florida and Alabama, Northern Alabama. We drove for all those trips. Those trips cost way less than flying because they aren’t big air hubs. We are talking of driving to Calif. for Christmas, to visit family, mostly to enjoy the journey. Gas prices aren’t stopping us, both our cars get over 30mpg and can fill them up for less than $40. My wife is flying to LAX next month for less than $250 round trip. For single or couples travelling, flying is fairly cost effective. Beyond that, driving starts looking better, even for long trips.

By Lunatic Fringe

March 26, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

My wife and I have flown to Athens/Cyprus/Amsterdam once and to Amsterdam twice in the last two years. The increasing fuel surcharges and strong euro have made us cancel our 2008 trips. Looks like we will be seeing more of the USA again this year. Compared to Europe, the USA is a bargain.

By jbean3

March 26, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

I am travelling to Dominican Republic in April and probably Las Vegas in October - -those may be my only airline trips.

If I travel anywhere else that is driving distance, I will drive — lot less hassle and you can take what you want.

By Ice

March 26, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

I agree with On the road again…those large suitcases wil get you! I hate driving or sitting in a car for more than 2 hours, but I drive…err ride on trips to Alabama, Tenn, and S. Carolina. I usually fly out to Texas 4 times a year and to New ork several times a year also. I could not imagine sitting in a car that long. As far as packing I am tryng to keep to one bag. I love flying out to places and there are some really great last minute deals if your schedule is flexible!

By John Tackett

March 26, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

I usually buy my tickets 7-10 months out to take advantage of lower fare (and potential “fees” being added on) But it is becoming more cost effective for us to drive to many places, even factoring the cost of gas and wear and tear on the automobile.

An example is a trip we were thinking about taking to St. Louis. We can drive there and back cheaper than we can fly. Only thing I lose is the time it takes, but then it allows us to explore the country a bit and see things we might of missed.

Maybe this is a good thing in regards to “roadside America.”

By Ice

March 26, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

I agree with On the road again…those large suitcases wil get you! I hate driving or sitting in a car for more than 2 hours, but I drive…err ride on trips to Alabama, Tenn, and S. Carolina. I usually fly out to Texas 4 times a year and to New ork several times a year also. I could not imagine sitting in a car that long. As far as packing I am tryng to keep to one bag. I love flying out to places and there are some really great last minute deals if your schedule is flexible!

By STRG

March 26, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

We always drive for our family vacations to NJ, SC, GA and FL. This year we (family of four) are flying to Las Vegas. We got tickets for $288 RT. Thought it would be nice to fly for this vacation. Not something we do all the time.

By UGA_Gurl

March 26, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

4 hours or less, I drive… Anything further I fly… Might cost more and, of course, getting from Johns Creek to ATL is a hassle, but flying builds sky miles and I simply prefer to fly.

By UGA_Gurl

March 26, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

4 hours or less, I drive… Anything further I fly… Might cost more and, of course, getting from Johns Creek to ATL is a hassle, but flying builds sky miles and I simply prefer to fly.

By DontLikeDelta

March 26, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

I would prefer to fly. However, when I go to visit my family in Louisville, KY the only direct flights are on Delta. You can find a ticket for around $400 about 4-5 months out, but it can go up to almost $1000. I can make the drive in 6 hours so I figure that’s faster than flying somewhere with a layover. I usually drive to Florida too. Atlanta may have the biggest airport in the world with lots of great deals, but they are never to anywhere I need to go.

By teri

March 26, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

Looks like I am the only one here that cannot even afford a vacation, driving or flying.

By JJ

March 26, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

I love to drive on trips. I love a good Road Trip. Hate the highways, but love the backroads.

By hotlanta

March 26, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this

I am going to B-A-R-B-A-D-O-S for my birthday in August. I am going on American Airlines with a layover in one of the world’s worst airports MIAMI. Jbean enjoy the Dominican. Santo Domingo was very nice and I will definately go there again. I am p** because my coworker is trying to go to Florida and I sent her a website where they had tickets $88.00 one way. She had the nerve to ask me to ask my friend who works for an airline to use her buddy pass. I am like NO, you are just cheap. Pay the $88.00 far and keep a stepping. Oh she is trying to take her man with her also. How cheap is that. Stop the madness.

By truthfully

March 26, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

DELTA has lost their minds!

By dc

March 26, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

I would not fly even if for free, it’s not worth all the hassle. Thank the government and the pilots unions for that. As a matter of fact, I don’t even go to the airport to drop or pick up folks.

By Motorcyclist

March 26, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Flying sucks. Everyone herded into the cattle car. Yuck. I only fly as a business requirement, or to VERY far (overseas) destinations. Normally I tow my camper behind my motorcycle to see the US. 45 MPG is a good thing. Not sure why people want to enclose themselves in a cigar tube and miss all of the sights between here and there.

By Motorcyclist

March 26, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

Flying sucks. Everyone herded into the cattle car. Yuck. I only fly as a business requirement, or to VERY far (overseas) destinations. Normally I tow my camper behind my motorcycle to see the US. 45 MPG is a good thing. Not sure why people want to enclose themselves in a cigar tube and miss all of the sights between here and there.

By barney

March 26, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Thanks to Bush and the current Oil Oligiarchy I cannot afford to drive anywhere this summer for vacation. When it costs $80+ to fill up my vehicle it make you stop and assess long distance trips.

By CBL

March 26, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

I’m single, so if I travel alone regionally, I will see if flying is cheaper than driving (sometimes it is). If I’m with a buddy or something, then it will be driving. Sometimes I prefer driving to flying anyway, regardless of costs, just to make the journey the reason to travel.

However, I would like to take a vacation to Europe this year to visit friends. But on account of the weak dollar, I may choose Australia or South America before these people join the Europeans going on “holiday” and bragging about the bargains at Phipps and Lenox.

By skeeter

March 26, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

I don’t fly anywhere these days if I can possibly avoid it. I hate - no, I detest - the bullsh*t the public is put through at airports these days. Just like cattle, and the screeners and other idiot employees think they are special cuz they have those simpleton jobs. I’d rather drive and be the captain of my own trip, thank you.

By NICK

March 26, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Barney,

How can you blame President Bush for not being able to afford to drive anywhere?

I am sure you qualified for a “Bush Tax Rebate”.

If you didn’t qualify, (which I am sure you did if you are b*** about $80)instead of complaining, why don’t you work a second job and save for your vacation?

If the Dems get hold of the Whitehouse, you probablly won’t be able to afford an internet connection so you will not be able to post such stupid responses.

By debbie

March 26, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

we have 2 incomes, if you can count mine. not much left after i pay for gas and insurance, and im a commissioned car salesperson.we have been going to europe.frequent flyer miles biz class. dont have anymore of those left…so after buying our airtickets and a half way descent hotel, we eat very cheaply, sandwiches while walking..with the euro, its gotten out of our reach. 10k for 10 days. we will be doing hiking the coast in the northeast this year.

By Dawn

March 26, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

I used to love to fly, but it’s such a hassle anymore and the seating is so much more cramped than it used to be. I do a lot of number crunching before making the final decision whether to drive or fly. My general rule is, if it will take more than a day to drive and I’ve got a week or less to get there and back then we fly. When choosing flights, though, I check the airfares several times a day, sometimes for weeks before booking, since they change so radically in a short period of time.

By Tonya

March 26, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this

I always check two bags when I go on vacation, I’ll fly Airtran and if they start charging I will just rethink air travel all together. Overhead will be crammed because more people will be taking a carry on so they don’t have to pay for the second bag, and that will take longer to board planes. Expect to see more airlines in financial trouble and even go away.

By Tonya

March 26, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

I always check two bags when I go on vacation, I’ll fly Airtran and if they start charging I will just rethink air travel all together. Overhead will be crammed because more people will be taking a carry on so they don’t have to pay for the second bag, and that will take longer to board planes. Expect to see more airlines in financial trouble and even go away.

By Tonya

March 26, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

I always check two bags when I go on vacation, I’ll fly Airtran and if they start charging I will just rethink air travel all together. Overhead will be crammed because more people will be taking a carry on so they don’t have to pay for the second bag, and that will take longer to board planes. Expect to see more airlines in financial trouble and even go away.

By Bobbi Brown

March 26, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this

Hell to the No

By Wallace

March 27, 2008 4:31 AM | Link to this

When we travel, and it doesn’t matter how close or how far our destination is, we fly. Safer, faster, and cheaper. What other reasons do you need.

By Jay

March 29, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

I travel for business so I don’t have much of a choice. Luckily I found Link:LayoverGuru.It helps make getting through unfamiliar airports a breeze and they contribute to two great charities.

By NoMoDelta

April 1, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this

After all this nickel and diming by delta, I will not fly on their airline again. I’ve had enough of their bad service and high prices. I hope they go back into bankruptcy for good and don’t come out. Good riddance to a failed company.

By cynethea alexander

April 1, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

What are the airlines supposed to do? Fuel prices have doubled. Employees have taken HUGE paycuts. Unfortunaley, routes to small airports have been and will be eliminated. And pepole are complaining about $3 checked bags. Just what are the airlines supposed to do? It’s the fuel prices, stupid!

By lovelyliz

April 1, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

I never book travel based on the ticket price. With all the fees and add on expense the price of a ticket will be dramatically higher than the list price. It’s an old marketing scheme.

As for nickel & diming everything:

If I am going to get Southwest Airline level service, I am gpoing to pay Southwest Airline ticket prices.

By harold

April 1, 2008 9:52 AM | Link to this

Fly to Sarasota? Huh? It’s a 7 hour drive, 8 if you’re slow. Spend instead an hour to the aiport and parking, arriving 2 hours before your flight then flying an hour you are in for four hours already. Add another hour getting a rental car and driving to your hotel you are in for five hours to fly. So, pay $350+ a head to fly, saving everyone two hours but adding the price of a rental car and chance of flu/cold/etc from your fellow airplaners, or drive but take two hours longer. GOSH what a choice…

By mister

April 1, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

“It ain’t what it used to be”….for just about every industry for our generation. That’s the way it is. From flying, to healthcare, to communications, to eating out, to talking on the phone, to just about every service sector entity, it’s ain’t what it used to be”. Some of the changes are for the better and some are for the worse and challenge our patience and wallets. Change happens. Accepting change would be a real change for the better. Try riding a tractor from ATL to SAN. It would take forever.

By JJ

April 1, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

After wanting to charge $25.00 for a second bag, now $3.00 for curbside check in - I can guarantee I will NEVER fly Delta ever again.

I will either drive, or fly Air Tran in the US. If I go to Europe, it aint gonna be on Delta…….

By Leandre

April 1, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

I think someone has been lying - with all these vaction plans - I do not sense a recession…

The airlines can rest assure - we will pay the higher cost - this is why they do what they do

By Bill

April 1, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

I’ll be leaving Atlanta, soon, on a jet plane, and it will not be a Delta jet. Prices are out of sight and it it’s difficult to use Skymiles. You can hardly ever find a skysaver award. It is usually skychoice (double miles).

By Babs

April 1, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

Last year we took road trips all over the south.. rediscovering America. We plan to do it again this year.

By J

April 1, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Absolutely. As a Platnium Medallion, I have three trips (MCO, CMH, BNA) over the next 6 weeks, that last year I flew Delta for. I will be driving this year. Not just because of the fees, but because of the overall hassle of dealing with ATL. The drive, security, wait, delays and in-flight service all just suck. I’ve finally had my fill…

By Thinker

April 1, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this

As an airline employee I just laugh at all the comments. The American public has been indoctrinated into believing we deserve a house, 2 cars, free tuition, and cheap airfare. Unfortunately as Delta and the Major airlines do what it takes to maintain profitability everything will go up. Many say they will fly Airtran over Delta. That’s great until Airtran doesn’t go where you want to go. Also as Delta cuts back on domestic flying (because there is no profit in it due to discount airlines) the Airtrans and Southwests will raise fares because they can. Then where are you. In the end if you think it’s too expensive to fly, then drive. Try doing that to the west coast. There’s no free lunch.

By Jay

April 1, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

Flying is a necessary evil. I hate it, but at least I’m single and it is affordable.

All airlines suck….Pack less and ship your stuff ahead.

Half you folks voted for this stupidity….you voted for Bush. What did you think was going to happen. The country is trainwreck for everyone but the wealthy.

Enjoy the new millennia,

JS

By Larry johnson

April 1, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

Delta has the nerve to prey on the sympathy of its customers by posting its woes and steady raping us in return. They even had the nerve to ANOUNCE bonuses for their employees and then proceed to lay some off and take jobs from others. Now they have the gall to charge for a second bag and increase curb side charges, while blaming fuel charges as the reason. Well, if that is how they plan to survive, their funeral will be coming very soon and their eulogy will read, “STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES”

By Larry johnson

April 1, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

Delta has the nerve to prey on the sympathy of its customers by posting its woes and steady raping us in return. They even had the nerve to ANOUNCE bonuses for their employees and then proceed to lay some off and take jobs from others. Now they have the gall to charge for a second bag and increase curb side charges, while blaming fuel charges as the reason. Well, if that is how they plan to survive, their funeral will be coming very soon and their eulogy will read, “STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES”

By Jenni H

April 1, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

For trips in the Southeast as far as Orlando and Charleston, we will drive. We calculated that any trip under a 6 - 7 hour drive is pretty much worth driving. We have cut our travel to more local areas. We do fly but it’s only once or twice a year now for a family vacation.

I think Delta’s fees need to be adjusted all at once annually - when they come out of the blue like this, consumers wonder what else they are going to charge us for and when. They need to communicate why they are charging the fees as well. What I don’t get is, why penalize people who are checking their bags? It’s the people who try to carry-on all their belongings that slows down the flight boarding and departure process.

By lovelyliz

April 1, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

As an airline employee I just laugh at all the comments. The American public has been indoctrinated into believing we deserve a house, 2 cars, free tuition, and cheap airfare.

No, we just realize that if we are getting the same service/quality or lack thereof that we get at WalMart, we won’t pay Williams Sonoma prices.

By mike

April 1, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this

I take Amtrak. Delta, I can’t wait until my Skymiles expire

By Pilot1

April 1, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

That’s why I’m grateful to be able to fly my own airplane when I travel. No lines, direct service and way more fun …

By Lainey

April 1, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this

I think the one bag rule is a punishment to economy passengers when first, business and frequent fliers (over 25,000 miles) can take 3 bags. Why not limit them to 2 instead of 3? Especially on long haul flights (Europe, Asia etc) 2 bags is not extreme, especially when your one bag will have a weight limit. As far as Skymiles go, you can rarely find Skysaver awards, only skychoice and even then you have to start looking 11 months in advance. Delta service is poor anyway - food you can’t eat, and flight attendants who hate what they do. I have actually had Delta flight attendants complain to me about their jobs, salaries etc - totally unprofessional.

By R Mairs

April 1, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

With a $3.00 bag fee I guess the bag handlers will be out of luck-no tips!!

By Crybabies!

April 1, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Why is it that consumers whine and cry when a business is forced to increase their fees? The airline industry’s biggest expense is fuel, yes fuel. Fuel prices have shot through the roof for the last year with no increase in cost to passengers, but the moment the industry has to offset their increased costs to you, you cry like babies and throw tantrums that you won’t fly Delta anymore. Did you fail to notice that cut throat airlines you are hopping on to spite Delta, whose maintenance is scary at best, are also passing on the cost to you (although probably not quite so honestly)? Look at it from a business point of view instead of from your boo hoo attitudes-and the increase in fares is not just a given, but a necessity.The airline industry will never be what it was, but your whining and venting at Delta isn’t helping. Only an idiot can’t see that fuel prices have gone up at the gas pump-jet fuel is far more expensive than auto fuel, but airlines aren’t suppose to pass that on to keep their business going? Oh, you just want to continue the free ride that you’d never allow someone if YOU were paying the fuel bill. If you can’t afford the extra few bucks, then don’t fly-you won’t be missed. Airtran will be happy to have you with our CHEAPer fares; but don’t be crying when one of ours falls out of the sky due to shoddy maintenance-(not an industry secret)after all you’ll have saved a few bucks. Delta bashing, just another example of why Georgia ranks last in education!

By Crybabies!

April 1, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Why is it that consumers whine and cry when a business is forced to increase their fees? The airline industry’s biggest expense is fuel, yes fuel. Fuel prices have shot through the roof for the last year with no increase in cost to passengers, but the moment the industry has to offset their increased costs to you, you cry like babies and throw tantrums that you won’t fly Delta anymore. Did you fail to notice that cut throat airlines you are hopping on to spite Delta, whose maintenance is scary at best, are also passing on the cost to you (although probably not quite so honestly)? Look at it from a business point of view instead of from your boo hoo attitudes-and the increase in fares is not just a given, but a necessity.The airline industry will never be what it was, but your whining and venting at Delta isn’t helping. Only an idiot can’t see that fuel prices have gone up at the gas pump-jet fuel is far more expensive than auto fuel, but airlines aren’t suppose to pass that on to keep their business going? Oh, you just want to continue the free ride that you’d never allow someone if YOU were paying the fuel bill. If you can’t afford the extra few bucks, then don’t fly-you won’t be missed. Airtran will be happy to have you with our CHEAPer fares; but don’t be crying when one of ours falls out of the sky due to shoddy maintenance-(not an industry secret)after all you’ll have saved a few bucks. Delta bashing, just another example of why Georgia ranks last in education!

By Crybabies!

April 1, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Why is it that consumers whine and cry when a business is forced to increase their fees? The airline industry’s biggest expense is fuel, yes fuel. Fuel prices have shot through the roof for the last year with no increase in cost to passengers, but the moment the industry has to offset their increased costs to you, you cry like babies and throw tantrums that you won’t fly Delta anymore. Did you fail to notice that cut throat airlines you are hopping on to spite Delta, whose maintenance is scary at best, are also passing on the cost to you (although probably not quite so honestly)? Look at it from a business point of view instead of from your boo hoo attitudes-and the increase in fares is not just a given, but a necessity.The airline industry will never be what it was, but your whining and venting at Delta isn’t helping. Only an idiot can’t see that fuel prices have gone up at the gas pump-jet fuel is far more expensive than auto fuel, but airlines aren’t suppose to pass that on to keep their business going? Oh, you just want to continue the free ride that you’d never allow someone if YOU were paying the fuel bill. If you can’t afford the extra few bucks, then don’t fly-you won’t be missed. Airtran will be happy to have you with our CHEAPer fares; but don’t be crying when one of ours falls out of the sky due to shoddy maintenance-(not an industry secret)after all you’ll have saved a few bucks. Delta bashing, just another example of why Georgia ranks last in education!

By USlayMe

April 1, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

I bet these are the same Delta bashers who abandoned ship, said they’d never fly Delta again, and predicted Delta would never make it out of bankruptcy. Open mouth insert foot-again. The loyalty of Georgians to the states biggest employers is baffling-and you wonder why no new businesses are breaking down the door to locate in Georgia? Keep shooting yourselves in the foot-the world is watching.

By Yes!TYDelta

April 1, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Yes! Thank you Delta-I personally am thrilled with the charges for extra baggage. As a frequent traveler who obeys the baggage rules; I am overjoyed that Delta is now charging the repeated baggage rule breakers for being “above” the rules for baggage. I don’t feel sorry for passengers who bring more than the alloted bags on board and act as if it is their “right” to take up more than their share of bag storage at the expense of other passengers. Learn to pack light and smart, and within the guidelines- you aren’t the only one on the plane! If you can’t manage then I’m all for you paying MORE, and if you don’t want to pay more because you can’t follow the rules-DRIVE and you can have all the trunk/baggage space you are willing to pay the high fuel cost to drive!

By Bob

April 1, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

I typicaly will fly any place that is more then four hours away. Granted that with the secruity wait and such it might take longer to fly, I still arrive at my destination much more refreshed then I would had I spent five or six hours behind the wheel.

I am sure that some bean counter somewhere decided this would be a cost effective move for Delta to charge for checked bags. They get extra revenue and might reduce baggage handling cost when more and more people opt to carry on their bags rather then check them. Unfortunately I have found most of these bean counter types do not live in the real world and never factor in how people will adapt to these changes. Nor are they very good at anticipating the adverse reactions that could occur.

I typically take two bags when I travel. One is a roll away garment bag for my ‘dress’ clothes and then another bag for casual clothes, underwear and such. The size of the second bag will vary depending on the length of my trip. (I have three different ones.) I am very good at packing just what I need and rarely come home with any clothes that have not been worn at least once.

I almost always check both bags out of convenience to myself and a courtesy to other passengers. Not having to mess with the plastic bags full of little bottles at security is probably the major benefit. But there is also a benefit to the airline and to other passengers that might not check their bags.

First, I am not holding up the boarding process while I search for some place to store my bag. The fewer carry ons the quicker the boarding process. And the better chance we get that ever elusive ‘on time departure’.

Second, I get through security faster which benefits everyone in those long lines. (An aside…why don’t they have an ‘express’ line at security for people that don’t have any bags or carry ons?)

And it leaves more room in the overhead storage for other passengers that might not have the option to check their bags.

Now the airlines will force me to carry on one of my bags. (Packing it all into one large bag isn’t much of an opton as it gets very heavy very quickly and they charge you even more for an overweight bag.) With this extra charge everyone that gets on the plane will have a carry on. I can guarantee this will cause significant delays in the boarding process and result in fewer on time departures as passengers search for the scarce overhead storage. (Most of the bags will not fit under the seat in front of you.)

Now what happens when there is no room on the plane for my bag? They have to fill out a baggage claim check and then get someone to carry it downstairs to put it with the rest of the checked bags (which is where I wanted it in the first place )slowing down the boarding process and raising their cost as the flight attendant and a baggage handler both get involved in handling my luggage.

But wait…what about that $25 fee? Are they going to stand there with a little credit card machine and demand my money before they will gate check my bag? What if I don’t have the money? Will they leave my bag behind? Will they kick me off the plane?

On the surface I am sure this seemed like a slam dunk for Delta, but once you take it out of the lab and put it in the real world there are going to be all kinds of problem they never anticipated.

And if flying becomes too much of a hassle and starts to cause too much stress…I will be forced to reconsider which destinations are within driving distance. Then not only will they not get the $25 for my checked bag…they won’t get my hundreds of dollars for their airfare.

Too bad we can’t support a decent train system like the ones in Eurpoe or Japan. But as the airlines continue to nickle and dime us it will make it more and more attractive for someone to step up and offer alternative means for short and medium distance travel.

By Ann

April 1, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

My sister just decided last night to drive rather than fly to Fort Myers from Atlanta. Even though Delta and AirTran have low fares beginning today, it will still be half the price to drive for the two of us. In today’s economy, that’s important. We figured by the time we drove to the airport, parked, went through security, waited for our flights, flew, waited to get off the plane and walked to the terminal to meet our parents we could drive with just a few hours more and have more control over our arrival and departure times.
As for family travel, we like the driving - especially with books on CD which make the trips go by fast. The kids are better behaved, quieter, learning more - all with no or few disagreements except they don’t want to get out of the car to eat until the next chapter! Even with the increase in gas, driving is how we go now unless there is only one person traveling or it’s business paid or more than 9 hours away.

By Ann

April 1, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

My largest concern with Delta’s new 2nd bag charge is for the seniors who fly. My parents, who are in their 80s, do not need to be driving anyway and we encourage them to fly. But they will pack in two very light bags each so they pick them off their beds and place them into their car without injury to themselves. With the new fees, they will be either paying $100 more per trip for the two of them (on a fixed income no less!) or trying to overpack into one bag. Neither is a sound choice for them. So they will probably not fly as often - unfortunately for us. I wish Delta would include Seniors in their exception list - but after they add Seniors to their exceptions list of First class and business travelers and Delta’s frequent fliers (who I am one of) - I’m not sure is left to pay the 2nd bag fee ….pregnant mothers and minors? I’d rather see Delta do something else….I’m fine with the curbside fee increase. Maybe they should charge double for all of the overweight bags presently.

By LovingTheDesert

April 1, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this

Ann, I agree with you that Seniors should be exempted as well. I think if Delta had’ve just added the baggage fees into the ticket price this really would not be an issue. Its only because they have chosen to follow the path of the other carriers & be honest & disclose it all that there is even an uproar I think if they just factored the fee into the overall fare price that sales might go down temporarily but once people get used to the fare pricing structure they will go back to business as usual.

& YES most of the people who are doing the complaining are fairweather consumers who have just gotten used to things being so cheap that as a result our economy is in the tank, so many more people have lost their jobs, & specifically in GA, business have closed up shop & minimized operations so until there’s no possible recovery in sight.

By Pago Flyer

April 13, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Pay toilets on international flights and $3.00 for water is next!!!