Carry-On Baggage Fee Ban Introduced By Schumer

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) wants it to be free to move about the country.

Well, not exactly, but he does want to get rid of all carry-on baggage fees.

The senator introduced a bill essentially banning airlines' ability to charge passengers for traveling with small bags.

From The Hill:

The senator's legislation blocks a private letter ruling issued by the Treasury Department in January that allows airlines to receive preferential tax treatment for fees on services that are not deemed necessary for air transportation. The bill declares carry-on bags are necessary for air travel, which makes the carry-on fee subject to taxation.

Spirit Airlines recently announced that the company would charge passengers $45 for every bag brought on their airplanes to much criticism.

"Airline passengers have always had the right to bring a carry-on bag without having to worry about getting nickel and dimed by an airline company," Schumer said Tuesday.

Sen. Frank Lautenber (D-NJ) signed, a cosponsor of the bill, released a statement Wednesday saying, "Airlines are taking advantage of a tax loophole and reaping financial benefits at the expense of travelers. It's time to say enough is enough. Let's put an end to passenger mistreatment and restore consumer protections."

Comments

[rightwingnut31]

10:22 AM on 04/19/2010

Hey Chuck,
I bought a bagel this morning and they tried to charge me extra for cream cheese. Could you look into this next?

[rightwingnut31]

10:16 AM on 04/19/2010

Remember all those whacko right wingers warning us that this govt wants to control all aspects of our lives?
Yes, this is all fine and dandy until Shumer wants to regulate what YOU can do . Regulation is wonderful when they're regulating other people. How many of you own a business? What happens when they tell you how much you can charge for your services?
You disagree with the the fee? Then don't use this airline. It's that simple. No wonder the tea party gets stronger and stronger. Who in the world thinks we need the govt to get involved in this?

[Katiepp]

05:15 PM on 04/16/2010

I've decided not to fly! It's crazy all these fees. Include all fees in ticket price!

[Archivist1000]

09:43 AM on 04/15/2010

Airlines use the 'excuse' that weight uses more fuel. Fair enough.

So ... make everyone pay for the 'weight' they actually bring onto the flight.

For one thing, why should MY ticket cost the same as someone who outweighs me by 100lbs??

If weight is so critical in the cost of fuel ... then charge by that weight!

A ticket should cost $XXXX and that is for (example) 200lbs ... including passenger AND luggage.

Then, the passengers pays extra for vouchers (example) $50 for an extra 25lbs.

So Fatso who weighs 225lbs and wants 50lbs of luggage pays $350 for his ticket (basic price + vouchers)
I weigh 125lbs, so I get 75 lbs of luggage included in my ticket price.

Why should fat people pay LESS for the weight they 'fly' than I do??? Just because a fat person carries that weight in her pants instead of a suitcase shouldn't matter .. it's still WEIGHT!

It is an easy system. Passenger and luggage gets on the scale at check-in .. over 200lbs in total, pay for a voucher!

[RevJimIII]

01:33 PM on 04/15/2010

So you would penalize a large framed person (or tall) who weighs more despite a lower body fat percentage? How is this fair?

[motodude]

01:36 AM on 04/15/2010

Airlines are just making it worse to fly all the time. I hope this bill passes. We should re-regulate the airline industry. Soon they will all be nothing more than dirty buses in the sky run and staffed by service challenged a-holes.

[CaseyAKO]

12:48 AM on 04/15/2010

My question to Spirit Airlines is.... What do you propose to do with the empty overhead space if your exorbitant "carry-on fees" prevent people from filling up the overhead compartments?

Tranquilize people and stuff them in there as "super-economy seats"? Transport transplant organs? Have people stow their kids up there?

I seriously sent an email to Spirit posing this question (without the smartass part) and have yet to receive a reply.

[invirginia]

11:20 PM on 04/14/2010

I suppose I will start mailing my luggage to my destination a week before my flight departs. Ugh.

[CaseyAKO]

12:42 AM on 04/15/2010

I operate a small family-owned business that spends thousands of dollars every month with UPS, so we have a huge discount (50%+) off of the normal rates for Next Day Air shipping.

I have been shipping my baggage to destinations for a couple of years, and I love it.

I know that my situation makes it much more convenient to do so, but shipping your baggage through a company such as UPS or FedEx is something that people should seriously consider, especially with companies such as Spirit trying to charge $90 r/t for one carry on.

[ElectricFuture]

08:21 PM on 04/14/2010

If an airline wants to continue raising fees, then consumers will use other airlines and it will go out of business. The gov't doesn't have to get involved with that.

Schumer's just trying to score some political points by introducing a bill he knows will never pass.

[RefreshingTaste]

08:15 PM on 04/14/2010

Chuck Schumer is an idiot, Spirit Airlines actually lowered the ticket prices, they have À la carte pricing, letting you travel as cheap as possible, you can fly super cheap or pay for extras all you want, it is very innovative pricing, Schumer is wrong, doesn't have the facts and is over reacting.

[invirginia]

11:12 PM on 04/14/2010

Only terrorist travel without a carry-on bag. What's so "extra" about a piece of luggage? Schumer is right on this, whether his bill passes or not.

[Archivist1000]

09:54 AM on 04/15/2010

Only terrorist travel without a carry-on? Nonsense.

[amdezurik]

12:24 AM on 04/15/2010

nope it is a tax dodge pure and simple.

[Janine547]

08:05 PM on 04/14/2010

So, Chuck Schumer thinks he has it all figured out. More regulation, that's always the answer.

[KarateKid]

08:09 PM on 04/14/2010

So, you work for Spirit Airlines.

[invirginia]

11:12 PM on 04/14/2010

A little consumer protection never hurt anybody.

[RevJimIII]

01:34 PM on 04/15/2010

This isn't consumer protection, it is regulation for regulation sake.. if you do not like their policies, go to their competitors.

[StevenWells]

07:52 PM on 04/14/2010

Damn those "big government Dems"...always interfering with the free market and looking out for consumers, when everyone knows corporate America cares about our best interests, first and foremost..

If the carrier I want to fly charges for carry-on, I'll just go to one that doesn't. Who cares if they don't have a flight to the destination I want? I'll go someplace close, and find another carrier who'll then fly me where I want to go. Or, if I can't, there's always a bus. That's free market competition. The government can't push ME around!!

[ElectricFuture]

08:30 PM on 04/14/2010

Let me go grab a towel... your sarcasm dripped onto my desk.

If you choose the route of not flying, the airlines will go bankrupt. Therefore, one airline or another (like Southwest) will step up to the plate and because they want your business. That is how a free market works... companies who serve their customers' demands will thrive, and those who don't will go under. I don't know what gov't has to do with that.

[neodesha]

07:32 PM on 04/14/2010

Airlines should charge a flat rate per seat and then tack on a Per Pound fee, that would include the weight of the person, the clothes they have on and all their luggage. If airplane fuel usage goes up with the weight in the plane, then charging per pound makes total sense.

[invirginia]

11:13 PM on 04/14/2010

Jonathon Swift would be proud.

[City of Evil]

11:23 PM on 04/14/2010

What? That's a perfectly reasonable idea.

[Archivist1000]

09:39 AM on 04/15/2010

I have been saying this for a LONG TIME !

For one thing, why should MY ticket cost the same as someone who outweighs me by 100lbs??

If weight is so critical in the cost of fuel ... then charge by that weight!

A ticket should cost XXXX and that is for (example) 200lbs ... including passenger AND luggage.

Then, the passengers pays extra for vouchers (example) $50 for an extra 25lbs.

So fatso who weighs 225lbs and wants 50lbs of luggage pays $350 for his ticket
I weigh 125lbs, so I get 75 lbs of luggage included in my ticket price.

Why should fat people pay LESS for the weight they 'fly' than I do???

[Bee]

07:29 PM on 04/14/2010

I used to always check my bag until they started charging. Personally I think the "fee" checked bags is hurting our economy. I used to always bring home goodies from the places I traveled to. Now I just squeeze everything I can into a carry on bag and book bag.

[Paolo Lim]

07:16 PM on 04/14/2010

It's about time. Before you know it they could charge you for the air you breathe.

[CampCalifornia]

07:08 PM on 04/14/2010

It sounds just like the way our govenment acts. Nickel and dime.

[KarateKid]

08:10 PM on 04/14/2010

yup, just like when the Republicans ran Congress, nickels and dimes, that's all we got.