October 19, 2007 United considers luggage ransom
United Airlines has always been good at holding luggage hostage. Now they may start charging ransom for early release:
United could soon charge customers a fee if they want their luggage to be unloaded off the plane first. That’s just one of the things being considered at United, where the Chicago Tribune (free registration) writes CEO Glenn Tilton believes “his airline needs deep, wrenching changes to remain competitive.” The newspaper says Tilton “wants to pursue everything, from a merger” to the priority-baggage fee (OBOW ed. - guranteeing your luggage leaves the plane first) “as part of a major overhaul of the nation’s second-largest airline.” The Tribune says other ideas being considered include “curbside-to-curbside baggage service, fees to check a second bag and allowing mainstream passengers to ‘rent’ for a day the perks available to elite customers.” - - From USA Today
“Rent” the perks of elite customers? How about renting some customer service?
Reader Comments (2)
AirTran just made me pay for assigned seats. If United starts charging for "priority" baggage handling, it really means that if you don't pay them they will delay your bags even more than they do now. People paying for "priority" service won't get their bags any faster than most of us do now.
All in all, a good reason to avoid United.
I don't know when it started but one of my favorite online tech companies (NewEgg) installed an option right before you finish your order to have them "really, really rush". I really like NewEgg but I just can't believe they still have this option. You practically admit that you can do better but you prefer not to make the effort.
This move by United sounds similar. I seriously hope they somehow put your bag in a different spot to accomplish this. I'd hate to think the only way they can offer this service is to first get all the bags and then pick out the ones you paid extra. If so, they would be adding another step to the process, and making that process longer, all in the name of getting the bags out sooner. If people are willing to pay extra then it's market demand and I'm OK with it, but making it worse overall to offer this service is beyond wrong.