Airlines Get Billions From Unbundled Services

Hugh Pickens writes "In hearings before Congress, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said that airlines reported revenue of $7.9 billion from baggage fees and reservation change and cancellation fees in calendar years 2008 and 2009 — fees on unbundled services that once were considered part of the ticket price. 'We believe that the proliferation of these fees and the manner in which they are presented to the traveling public can be confusing and in some cases misleading,' says Robert Rivkin, the Department of Transportation's general counsel. Published fares used by consumers to choose flights don't 'clearly represent the cost of travel when these services are added.' However, Spirit Airlines President and CEO Ben Baldanza defended the practice of unbundling, saying it allows his airline to charge lower fares (PDF) and allows the customers the choice to purchase the services or not."

Comments

Re:You're not flying cheaper!

[hedwards]

Because it's discriminatory. Why should I have to pay more because I'm a larger person than you? I'm slender at 200 lbs., and I don't see any reason why I should have to pay more because I was born to be larger. It doesn't matter how much I exercise, I'm not going to ever way 105 lbs., even 160 would be a stretch and unhealthy, following your logic, I should pay more simply because I was unfortunate enough to be born with genes to be larger.

It's one thing to charge people more for taking up a second seat, but charging people who naturally way more isn't really appropriate.

Re:2+2=5

[labiator]

I want to know why the tax man isn't coming down on them incredibly hard, Those "fees" are not taxed, hence uncle sam is missing out on billions in tax revenue.

Re:Southwest

[DNS-and-BIND]

Yyyyyeah. There do exist those of us who would rather not fly Redneck Air. When you're approaching your destination and the FA's get on the PA and make a stupid rhyme about where you're about to land, the sane people in the world cringe (and try to ignore the smell of our seatmate). PS poetry hasn't rhymed for more than 100 years, you might want to inform Redneck Air's FAs about this "new" development.

Re:You can't complain, you can't compare

[evilviper]

You can't walk away and not use them when poor service angers you.

Sure you can. Anywhere in the US, go Amtrack. Sure, it's slower, but you make it up with the train station down the street rather than the airport an hour's drive away, combined with having to arrive 3 hours early to make sure you get through security, and the like...

And even if you are going all the way across the country, yes, it's slower, but it's like spending a day in a public park, walking around, laying back (in a recliner), talking to people, rather than the airlines, which are like spending 6 hours in a doctor's office, where you're poked, prodded, strapped in, quizzed by authorities, put under bright lights, asked questions, asked to take your clothes off, x-rayed, etc., etc.

I used to love flying. Now, the seats have shrunk to the point that I'm miserable, the service level went from "3-star hotel" to "trashy motel", on-time arrivals are a long forgotten memory, etc. All this happened in less than 10 years.

The best trick the airlines ever played was to convince people that there are no alternatives. For over-seas travel, sure, you don't have much real alternative these days. But for any distance over-land, the train is the way to go. Buses have quite a stigma, but I'd rather take a cross-country bus than fly any more.

Re:I like it

[Hurricane78]

Hey you fucking pieces of shit troll moderators! I’ve had enough with you! You fuckin idiots always mod stuff as Troll, just because you fucking retards disagree! Disagreement is not trolling! Being wrong is not trolling! Having a spine and hence making bold statements IS. NOT. TROLLING! Get it in your thick heads, idiots!! Shit, you ruin the whole fucking Slashdot for all of us!