FWIW.. weight your bags before you go, and have an item or two you can stick in your coat that weighs a few lbs. They haven't started weighing the passengers, yet. I have had a coat stuffed with 20 lbs of things when flying cheapo airlines.
D
"A patriot is mocked, scorned and hated; yet when his cause succeeds, all men will join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." Mark Twain
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.... now who's bringing the hot wings? :jester:
I will intentionally choose to change planes halfway to my destination rather than a flight that goes where I need to go but makes stops on the way. It gives me a chance to get off the plane, stretch my legs and get something to eat. As a diabetic, I cannot miss meals. I also have the advantage that most of the time when I travel, I have the entire day reserved for just travel. That way I am not rushed.
I remember asking a check-in agent years ago why the charges were so ridiculous for overweight baggage, and why you couldn't have 25 lbs. in one bag and 75 lbs. in another for an overall weight of 100 lbs. for a 2-bag limit. He said, "because we have a great union." That is, it was actually the workers - tired of handling someone's collection of blacksmithing anvils that they felt necessary to bring - who asked for a stiff upcharge when someone's individual bag weighs over X amount.
As an active duty military member, I get a significant baggage/weight allowance, even when on leave. I'm not looking forward to any of this stuff when I finally hang up my uniform in a few more years.
Accuracy: because white space between bullet holes drives me insane.
On our SeaBase Scout trip to St. John's, our Scoutmaster was active duty on "special assignment"for his CO on the trip, we flew American, an American employee asked our SM if he was military and he confirmed and we showed his papers and we were waved through the line to the counter, all 8 of us, no charge for our FULL military duffles, they took good care of us.
I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn away from their ways and live. Eze 33:11
Sorry Jerry. I've had that same thing happen. Flustered, big line, just paid it. Ever since, I carry a backpack with plenty of room. And we weigh everything. Have your wife do what everyone else does.....take a humongous, no way in hell its fitting in the overhead, check on bag. And gate check it.
What is/was extra frustrating when it happened to me.....there was a lady next to me that had to weigh 400lb. She checked a 48lb bag, and took off with a huge "carry on", and two other huge "personal items". The carry on was obviously too big, and got gate checked for free. She added at least double the weight to the plane, but stayed within the rules.
I think your ticket should include X number of pounds, no matter how many bags. After that, just like ups, pay by weight.
Sorry Jerry. I've had that same thing happen. Flustered, big line, just paid it. Ever since, I carry a backpack with plenty of room. And we weigh everything. Have your wife do what everyone else does.....take a humongous, no way in hell its fitting in the overhead, check on bag. And gate check it.
What is/was extra frustrating when it happened to me.....there was a lady next to me that had to weigh 400lb. She checked a 48lb bag, and took off with a huge "carry on", and two other huge "personal items". The carry on was obviously too big, and got gate checked for free. She added at least double the weight to the plane, but stayed within the rules.
I think your ticket should include X number of pounds, no matter how many bags. After that, just like ups, pay by weight.
Weight is obviously a consideration, but so is volume, so I'd think a limit on the number of bags is reasonable.
"Bipartisan" usually means that a bigger than normal deception is happening.
George Carlin
I flew Southwest to Houston last Thursday and back home yesterday. I understand why SW is cheap. 4 travel legs and no food options, other than pretzels. Yesterday's aircraft was 15 years old with a ragged interior. There's no device charging ports even in the 737-800 MAX aircraft. They are forced to provide better customer service because they have nothing else to offer.
And that's all I need - a cheap way to get from A to B. I couldn't possibly give a rolling red rat's rump about whether or not the plane has charging ports for "devices", and I bring my own food onto the plane. I'll fly American or Delta when I have an overriding reason to do so, but I'd rather ride a bike across the north Atlantic than to ever fly United again.
We used to fly Continental until they got swallowed up by United, then we switched to SW and have been happy. I like the "sit anywhere", I pay an extra $12.50 to get early boarding so I can get an aisle seat in row 2 or 3. That gets me OFF the plane while the unloaders unload their overseas bags from the thrice damned overhead bins.
I flew Southwest to Houston last Thursday and back home yesterday. I understand why SW is cheap. 4 travel legs and no food options, other than pretzels. Yesterday's aircraft was 15 years old with a ragged interior. There's no device charging ports even in the 737-800 MAX aircraft. They are forced to provide better customer service because they have nothing else to offer.
And that's all I need - a cheap way to get from A to B. I couldn't possibly give a rolling red rat's rump about whether or not the plane has charging ports for "devices", and I bring my own food onto the plane. I'll fly American or Delta when I have an overriding reason to do so, but I'd rather ride a bike across the north Atlantic than to ever fly United again.
We used to fly Continental until they got swallowed up by United, then we switched to SW and have been happy. I like the "sit anywhere", I pay an extra $12.50 to get early boarding so I can get an aisle seat in row 2 or 3. That gets me OFF the plane while the unloaders unload their overseas bags from the thrice damned overhead bins.
I'm OK with Southwest's no frills. Like Billy_ Budd I find Alaska Air far superior regarding comfort and service. America and United are the "bottom feeder" domestic airlines. In 2003 on a vacation in Spain and Portugal we did the 14 hour flight time non-stop from Portland, OR to Frankfurt, Germany. I expected it to be unbearable but the Lufthansa big Airbus was exceptional regarding comfort and service. A bit off topic but I'm reminded of one of my favorite aviation humor stories. A BOAC airliner landed at Frankfurt and the captain contacted ground control requesting taxi instructions to his gate. The somewhat snarky German replied: "This must be your first visit to Frankfurt". The British captain replied: "No. I visited Frankfurt several times in 1944 but it was dark and we didn't stop.
My limited experience with Alaska Air was outstanding. I've used them a couple of times in the past year for work and play. The relative comfort in coach versus other major airlines was impressive and the customer service was excellent. Their military baggage limit (even for leave travel) is off the-charts-good. I definitely plan to use them again.
Accuracy: because white space between bullet holes drives me insane.
Replies
D
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.... now who's bringing the hot wings? :jester:
As an active duty military member, I get a significant baggage/weight allowance, even when on leave. I'm not looking forward to any of this stuff when I finally hang up my uniform in a few more years.
Ever since, I carry a backpack with plenty of room. And we weigh everything.
Have your wife do what everyone else does.....take a humongous, no way in hell its fitting in the overhead, check on bag. And gate check it.
What is/was extra frustrating when it happened to me.....there was a lady next to me that had to weigh 400lb. She checked a 48lb bag, and took off with a huge "carry on", and two other huge "personal items". The carry on was obviously too big, and got gate checked for free. She added at least double the weight to the plane, but stayed within the rules.
I think your ticket should include X number of pounds, no matter how many bags. After that, just like ups, pay by weight.
George Carlin
I'm OK with Southwest's no frills. Like Billy_ Budd I find Alaska Air far superior regarding comfort and service. America and United are the "bottom feeder" domestic airlines. In 2003 on a vacation in Spain and Portugal we did the 14 hour flight time non-stop from Portland, OR to Frankfurt, Germany. I expected it to be unbearable but the Lufthansa big Airbus was exceptional regarding comfort and service. A bit off topic but I'm reminded of one of my favorite aviation humor stories. A BOAC airliner landed at Frankfurt and the captain contacted ground control requesting taxi instructions to his gate. The somewhat snarky German replied: "This must be your first visit to Frankfurt". The British captain replied: "No. I visited Frankfurt several times in 1944 but it was dark and we didn't stop.