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So the airlines started charging for bags shortly after katrina (IIRC) due to high gas prices. Gas has since fallen to half what it was then and tickets haven't got any cheaper and were still paying checked baggage fees. I guess once consumers get acclimated to something the big corps wont let go of it (yay capitalism!).
What brings up this rant? I'm flying to WA state for a wedding and its cheaper for me to buy and discard a portable crib for my son to sleep in while I'm there than it is for me to check it as baggage there and back ($50 to buy one, $70 to check it). Now i see that one airline is charging for carry-on luggage in addition to checked baggage... Not to mention that liquids are a no-go, but you can still bring on powders (xmas bomber) and things like deodorant (doesn't c4 resemble deodorant?).
I hate planes in general, but it's more the fact that I hate not being in contact with solid ground.
Which airline do you use? The last few times I've flown I haven't had any of these problems (other than the increased fees for checked bags). It might be time to switch to a competing airline.
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I hate planes in general, but it's more the fact that I hate not being in contact with solid ground.
Which airline do you use? The last few times I've flown I haven't had any of these problems (other than the increased fees for checked bags). It might be time to switch to a competing airline.
The only airline that doesn't charge checked bag fees (for the first bag anyway) is southwest...they don't fly to where I'm headed, so I'm stuck with a 12-14hour drive with a 16 month old or a flight.
Were it just me flying, I'd be fine, I can fit everything I need in one carry on + 1 personal. But I'm flying with a toddler...I have to bring a carseat and stroller (which thankfully they take for no cost), a portable crib, diapers, wipes, snacks, double the clothes I would take, etc.
If I had the funds for a little single engine cesna, I'd have my license and I'd never use the major airlines again.
The only airline that doesn't charge checked bag fees (for the first bag anyway) is southwest...they don't fly to where I'm headed, so I'm stuck with a 12-14hour drive with a 16 month old or a flight.
Figures. SW is the only one I ever use.
That is unfortunate though. You have my sympathies.
If you do end up buying a temporary one, you can probably sell it on craigslist or ebay before you leave and recoup the loss.
If you do end up buying a temporary one, you can probably sell it on craigslist or ebay before you leave and recoup the loss.
Or maybe donate it to a local Salvation Army, Goodwill, etc. and write it off your taxes.
If you're staying at a hotel, they may have one to lend you.
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I'll be checking with the hotel...but not tonight (this day keeps getting better and better). My flight out of OKC was delayed enough so that I would miss my connecting flight in Denver. Since it was due to weather (although it's perfectly fine here), they won't put me up in a hotel so I can get the earliest flight out tomorrow. I had to reschedule my flight for tomorrow morning. *sigh* That lil Cessna is looking better and better.
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I think this trip was doomed to suck. After a 3 hour layover in Denver with a cranky toddler we get on the plane, get about 3 minutes away from the airport and one of the engines goes out (they didn't tell us this, but I felt the power loss and heard them restart and shut down the engine a couple of times). They turned us around and never said anything to us until we were on the ground. They got us onto another flight in short order, but on the way to my new gate, I saw that the New Belgium brewery (makers of fat tire) has a pub in the Denver airport and I could have at least had a good beer while I was waiting. *sigh*