Happy Monday!
Rumor: Southwest to Ban Carry-on Bags on its Cheapest Tickets: Wow, I sure hope this rumor isn’t true! I haven’t flown Southwest much these past few years because the fares (in cash and points) have not been competitive with American Airlines from my home airports. But still, this would be a step in the wrong direction. See this post on View From the Wing.
Airlines Increase Checked Baggage Fees: US Airlines are now charging $10 more for checked luggage. Within the span of a few days, all the major US airlines updated their prices. American Airlines raised its checked baggage fee from $40 to $50 ($45 if purchased online). Then, Alaska Airlines followed. Delta, United, Southwest and JetBlue raised their prices a few days before that. I’m so glad I have credit cards that give me free baggage. These fees can really add up for large families! h/t Miles Earn and Burn.
Bravo: United is Adding TSA Wait Times to its App: Only for its hub airports, but still, this is great news! See this post on Thrifty Traveler.
Top 10 Travel Pet Peeves: I love looking at stats, and this recent survey of 2000 travelers ranked the top pet peeves:
- Letting your children kick the seat in front of them (59%)
- Ignoring personal space (58%)
- Talking loudly on the phone / taking a call on speakerphone (58%)
- Treating employees disrespectfully (flight/train attendants, hotel staff, etc.) (56%)
- Playing audio without headphones (50%)
- Hogging the armrests (on a plane, train, etc.) (47%)
- Reclining your seat as far as it can go (42%)
- Taking your shoes off on public transportation (a bus, train, plane, etc.) (38%)
- Taking more overhead space than you’re allotted (34%)
- Falling asleep on a stranger while on a plane (30%)
Am I the only one that has rarely experienced kids kicking the back of my seat? How often does that really happen? Which of these pet peeves is your #1?
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
With fuel prices up 40-50% airlines scrambled to find a quick cash stream to cover their profit margins – and bag fees are easiest to implement. Ticket prices will follow if the conflict will drag for another month, also based on reduced number of flights for major carriers. One positive – some easement for flight controllers.
Creating loud noise in public spaces and higher level or rudeness are typical for American society. Compared to most Asian and European cultures, a big portion of people in US are accustomed to be around or be creators of loud conversation/music/TV, and also accustomed to see more violence at large – hence tend to be less sensitive to the above, even when traveling to other countries with different social norms.
And a lot of Americans let their pets and kids roam free in public spaces – oblivious to any negative effects they can impose on other people sharing same space. How many times some strange dog jumps on you? How many times you got hit with a ball or frisbee by the kids not observing personal spaces? How many times you saw people leave trash where they consumed something?
Culture and education about shared and personal spaces needs to be improved.
Happy travels!!