Does It Cost More if I Wear Pants?

As a frequent business traveler, I’m always conscious of the airline fees that can drive a “cheap” ticket into something much more expensive — and more of pain. Spirit Airlines announcement yesterday that they are starting to charge for carry-on bags that won’t fit under the seat brought fees to a new low, er, high.

They had lots of good explanations: passengers bring too much into the cabin because checking bags now costs money (and, largely left unsaid, they want to put cargo in the belly because it is more profitable), the high cost of fuel, where else would you expect cargo to fly free, passengers pack too much (Do I get a discount if I fly naked?), etc. All true — but I say “baloney.” It demonstrates to me how broken the basic airfare pricing model is and how dysfunctional our general infatuation with low prices has made us. This starts out being touted as an attempt to change customer behavior but winds up being an addictive revenue stream (see, “Fees, credit cards”). They don’t really want to change behavior; they want to charge you as much as they can.

As an airline passenger, I expect that a reasonable amount of luggage to travel with me as part of the cost of a ticket. There are size restrictions on carry-ons set by the FAA — enforce them and people won’t bring too much onto the plane. The airline should be able to calculate the weight that the average passenger brings on board and integrate that cost into the ticket. Unless you are traveling in your skivvies and tucking your toothbrush into the waistband, chances are that the super-cheap ticket really won’t be in the end.

Spirit does position itself as a no-frills carrier and they are free to do as they please. I, in turn, am free not to fly with them which I can assure you (and them) I won’t. Fees and cost-cutting schemes, however, tend to attract imitators. Service levels and amenities on the so-called full-service airlines have been in full retreat for almost a decade and I’m in no rush to see flying get any less enjoyable. I don’t want to need a detailed, itemized receipt for each flight — seat cushion: $22.50, armrests: $18.95, etc.

The industry has trained us to expect fares that are lower than the cost to fly us from point A to point B (they try to make it up on business and first-class fares and those endearing fees and extras). That’s a really dumb business model and the fact that most airlines are in rough financial shape is evidence of that. They should worry less about nickel-and-diming us and more about how hard it is to find someone who describes flying as “pleasant,” “fun,” or “something to look forward to.” Southwest and JetBlue are doing a pretty good job of that and still keep costs low, but the others seem to do all they can to make a flight something to endure rather than enjoy.

Later in the week I’ll be posting on how to pack like a Nomad so you can travel lighter and still look great. That should make Spirit’s CEO happy. Until then, how’s that high speed rail coming?