American Airlines Charging $15 to Lose Your Bag
Forgive The VAR Guy for his sarcasm. But American Airlines’ decision to charge passengers $15 to check a bag is a joke. The VAR Guy never checks his bags because airlines LOSE bags. Now, there’s a $15 surcharge for such lousy service? Wonderful. Perhaps it’s time for The VAR Guy to really open his wallet and embrace TelePresence videoconferencing as an alternative to expensive travel on antiquated airlines.
Has anybody else noticed that American’s planes are old? Really old? Why wasn’t American updating its fleet when times were good? Now, times are bad — and high fuel prices coupled with high labor costs trigger high stress for everyone — shareholders, travelers and employees alike.
OK, things aren’t all bad. The VAR Guy flew American a few weeks ago, during a trip from New York to Minneapolis. The service was great, but that’s because the flight was booked at about 10 percent of capacity. An American employee told The VAR Guy that flights have to be at least 85 percent full to break even. Anything below that is a money-losing trip for the airline. Ouch.
The VAR Guy fears the economy is going to get worse before it gets better. But even if things turn bleak, The VAR Guy will still have the clothes on his back — and carry-on luggage in his hands. He doesn’t want to part with another $15 — or his bags.
