Southwest May Soon Crack Down On Seat Savers And Wheel Chair Abusers

Hmm, like many voting precients, ID isnt required for a select 50,000 people a month, so the name on the ticket is a mute point!

Wheelchair passengers usually do. But that demeans the disabled who need help egressing. Those of us who have trouble walking and need more time are allowed to go in so we do not slow down the flow. Yes, there are those who need wheelchairs going through because TSA, checking in, large crowds, waiting for the aircraft and dealing with the lack of seating at the gate because able bodied people are taking up seats reserved for us - as that can take a lot of time and tremendous effort. I will use a wheelchair because of that - otherwise I may not make it to the plane. When deplaning and only having to leave the terminal the stress is not nearly as much - so the pain accompanying our travels is also somewhat eased. We may not need a wheelchair leaving accordingly but that does not take away from our disabilities or diminish what we deal with. We also have impact of medications and timing as well as the impact of pressurization changes and weather fronts we may be traveling through. We tend to be relegated to second class citizens exactly by the attitude you expressed. Perhaps if you become disabled or have a family member needing special attention your attitude may change. Then those of us being disparaged may actually have valuable information necessary to transit health care and simple every day life skills. We may have spearheaded research or volunteered our bodies for science and drug testing. We may have brought attention to areas never before identified. And we may have sponsored research and fighting the system with our own resources so that others can benefit. I understand the desire for expeditious entry and exit. I also understand balance in life - hence the need to work together with mutual respect. And with those who really do abuse the system I suggest we go together jointly to kick them in their rear. Perhaps we should register with the airline to show we are disabled - at first I objected to that, but it may be the best way to curb the abuse. Have a great rest of the weekend, everyone, and safe travels.

"Airlines never did and never will check bags for free" We can argue the semantics of this statement but that misses the point, which is defining a separate charge for checked bags naturally led to more people trying to carry-on (larger) items, which in turn makes early boarding a priority so you can reasonably find a place to stow your (probably) oversized item.

BTW, returning to the semantics question, most of the costs of checking bags are fixed, with the extra fuel cost being the largest marginal cost that I can think of. Having the infrastructure (physical and personnel) to handle checked bags is where the major cost is... and that cost is unchanged whether you check a bag or not. Charging 30, 40, or more dollars per bag is pretty much pure profit.

Any evidence fare prices dropped when the luggage charges became overt? I didn’t think so. What I do recall was boastful earnings calls attributing jumps in revenue to checked baggage fees.

That said, your point is sound though finding myself constantly nickled and dimed on shipping online, there are times when I’d just as soon have it buried it the overall Free Shipping price.

Well Dave, you know the golden rule…whomever has the gold makes the rules, let the kids have their hullabaloo. End carryon. Flights could be shortened by 30 minutes industry wide. Can you imagine the significance of that.