I would rather know about what the fare increases are for. If I can organize myself to pack everything into my carry on for a short trip, I will - since buying a few extra small shampoos, probably won't add up to whatever they are charging extra for a bag.

Either way you will be paying more - this gives you the option of potentially avoiding those charges!

Yeah I got this email yesterday ... I wouldn't have a choice as I only fly cross-country and internationally, so I would definitely need more than an overnight bag! Ridiculous. Kind of like RyanAir.

Screw them, I'll just take fewer trips and drive there myself. Road trips are fun.

I just hope that along with this change, they also start truly enforcing the overhead bin space requirements. It bugs the crap out of me when I get to my seat at 8F only to find that:

* all the people in rows 15+ already stuffed their stuff in my bin
* some person has put a suitcase that really is too large for overhead in there
* or someone has put 3 bags up there and is happily dangling their feet in the footspace.

The overhead bins above each row on larger jets are equipped to manage the luggage of everyone in that row, if people would just either respect the rules or take some care in placing their bags. With these new charges, more people are going to carry on, and I'm afraid the bins are going to become a battleground. Were I an airline, I'd be using .5% of my potential revenue here to address the overhead bin situation to avoid the almost certain customer problems to come.

For example, they could provide a hang tag in each seat for one bag, and you put your hang tag on your bag, so that it's clear that the bag is yours and that you only put one bag in the bin. Or, they can mark off the bin space per seat. Either way, passengers not using the bin could still offer up their space to their seatmates or other passengers. Really, I don't care what the solution is so long as they do something to prevent the mad dash for bin space!

How about I pay this fee and they don't LOSE my luggage??

I would rather airlines raise fares than do this sort of "little bit here, little bit there" sort of thing. I feel nickel and dimed.

This is getting ridiculous. I can't take it anymore.

Ugh I'm so conflicted. I fly cross country maybe 5-6 times a year, and I know it takes a TON of fuel, which is expensive, bad for the environment, etc. Rising fuel prices hurt the airlines too.

And I am with Minday, other than a comfty plane and snacks(thanks Jetblue!) I would rather pay for every thing separately so I had some control. The thing is, the last time I flew, I had a purse on the plane with me that I tucked under the seat, and a medium suitcase that I checked. This stupid woman in front of me couldn't find any space in the overhead bin near her seat, and when the flight attendant offered to find space for her, in a bin five seats up, the woman flipped out and help up the plane. She started screaming about people stealing her crap, etc, it was seriously the most ridiculous thing ever. I just think maybe they should do a total bags, either have one to check or stow in the overhead bin.

I think lightening up on luggage is good, because the lighter the plane is the less fuel it will need. Still, fighting with some crazy lady for bin space is not going to be fun.

Btw I'm totally not trying to advertise, but with the Jetblue true blue program, with two cross country flights and opening a jetblue amex (extra points) I already have a free flight. Every four cross country flights I take I'll get a free flight. If you are a frequent flier and not in your airline's frequent flier program...do it!

i stopped checking baggage several years ago when i landed in iowa in the middle of winter in flip-flops and the airline had "misplaced" my luggage. it was delivered 3 days later. obviously my fault for wearing sandals on the trip, but at the very least it was annoying. since then i've learned to pack light, so these new extra baggage charges won't bother me much. #1 airline to avoid: US AIRWAYS. 3 out of my 3 experiences with them have been awful.

I travel a lot and always travel light. With each trip, I seem to take less and less, even when I am traveling international. As a Premier Executive flyer, I am exempt from luggage charges and my bags received priority status, yet, I still choose to travel with a small carry-on bag. The only instance where I have checked my bags is when flying in a small 11-seater/commuter plane where the bins are small or non-existent. I travel with the Patagonia MLC (Maximum League Carryon) bag which has traveled everywhere with me. It is a wonderful, light, soft, durable bag that can be slung over the shoulder or has backpack straps.

I start packing several days before I leave on a trip when helps alleviate taking unnecessary items. This allows enables me to re-evaluate my items and remove pieces that I really won't use. I always have a quart bag of toiletries ready to go and now I can pack quickly, with very little effort and/or stress.

Often, I think people travel with too much luggage; is it really necessary to pack a 30-inch bag for three or four days? I understand if someone is traveling for a wedding/special occasion or with kids, that is something entirely different. Fuel is at a premium and it doesn't take much effort for all of us to lighten the load.

I prefer knowing exactly what fees I am being charged upfront.

I agree with colormesticky. Road trips are fun! I don't fly out often but I'll keep in mind to pack light on my carry-on!
My sister is coming to visit me in August and she told me she would only bring her backpack.

I actually would rather have them charge for these little things than raise the fare (that is, if they don't raise the fare in addition to the additional charges). Charges for every little thing may not sound better than increased fare, but you get more flexibility with how you spend your money. For example, light travelers get the option of paying less instead of getting stuck on paying the higher fare that includes 2 baggages. Another example, I usually only drink water due to a health issue, and I would rather have the lower fare than the higher fare that includes refreshments like soda.