That's NOT the Spirit

Yikes. Here’s part of a “modest proposal” from a fairly influential travel website:

In any case, the US Congress should back off. if Spirit or any other airline decides to ban larger-sized carry-ons for safety reasons or to charge for them for revenue-enhanhcement reasons or to discourage passengers from using the overhead bins altogether, then that’s their business. If the government were really consumer focused, they should recognize the health hazards of large carry-on luggage and encourage airlines to ban the practice altogether, following Spirit’s model of only permitting smaller carry-ons that fit under the seat. - airfarewatchdog.com via Yahoo News

He argues that banning all larger-than-personal carry-ons would increase airline efficiency by speeding loading and unloading. What about weather, runway backups, mechanical failure, and food trucks with flat tires? He also admits the increase in checked baggage would require more airline employees ($$$) and further assumes that checked bags would be free again in this future wonderland of no “large” carry-ons. I’m not buying it.

Comments

[Alan]

As so often is the case, many things look good on paper but are a disaster in real life. This nit-wit's suggestion is a perfect case in point

[Laurie]

Airfare Watch Dog would be making a valid point- ONLY if the airline industry were truly an open market, competitive system. That is not the case, due to the costs vs profit margin airlines juggle and the limited route/fare choices for many consumers as a result.

Consistent, effective regulation is necessary since safety should already be the number one concern of the airline industry (over profit, efficiency and on time stats, etc). Safety is a "given" in this industry no matter how small or large the airline carrier.

For decades people have been flying safely (and healthfully without govt intervention) with oversized luggage. Passengers felt so comfortable allowing the airlines to transfer their bags from plane to plane that they only brought a small satchel or periodical on board. Continual, progressive theft and inefficiencies in baggage handling created a shift in passenger habits.

Much of the decline in airlines' services are due to the "top down" attitudes of those in charge. I assume no one, including our government, forced individuals to become executives or owners of airlines (yet somehow they still eek out a profit!). As Airfare Watch Dog aptly put it, "...that's their business."

[Alan Birnbaum]

Spirit Airlines earlier this week vowed to fly with the help of other carriers, even if its pilots go on strike. But now there are reports the airline is cutting flights as a strike looms.

The Associated Press is reporting Spirit pilots are threatening to walk out at 12:01 a.m., Saturday morning. Both sides have indicated they'd like to make a deal before that time.

The Florida-based airline began canceling some weekend flights and has been contacting customers to help them with alternate travel plans, AP said. A reservations agent told the AP that all weekend flights out of Spirit's Fort Lauderdale hub had been "suspended."

The dispute with the pilots is over issues including pay. The Spirit pilots say they are paid less than competitors.

"We are looking for pay parity," Sean Creed, a Spirit captain and the head of the Air Line Pilots Association, told AP. He added that many management pilots have promised not to cross the picket line.

Negotiations are ongoing in Washington, and are being overseen by the National Mediation Board.

The carrier flies about 150 flights per day, including from the eastern U.S. to the Caribbean. The privately held airline was also in the news recently when it announced it would start charging $45 for carry-on bags beginning Aug. 1.

[Alan Birnbaum]

WHOOPS....the entry above is a pure cut and paste. I did NOT write it myself.