The economics of luggage cartage is relatively clear and simple.
For a cruise line, every passenger (which NCL allows) who takes their luggage with them down the gangway and through customs is fewer cabin attendants diverted to luggage handling from turning over rooms. This, in turn, means an earlier access to cabins for boarding passengers. It also means less area required for luggage delivery, warehouse and handling prior to customs at the Port. Cruise line passengers expect to tip should they have someone assist them with baggage on the Port.
Now, let us look at the same issue related to airlines.
Traditionally people have purchased airline tickets, flying from Point A to Point B. Often it is now the case that the traveller involved has plane changes at airport C, D and occasionally E prior to gratefully crawling out of the flying sardine can at their final destination. People are actually easier to manage than luggage. They can be counted, move themselves from here to there and let you know normally when things are not going in the correct direction. It is not common to find someone on the wrong aircraft.
As passengers we all have this selfish desire to have stuff with us. Things that we just can’t manage without. It normally is not a lot on a day trip or a simple overnight business trip. But be headed out (or home) after a year at college, a prolonged backpacking expedition or a ski vacation and the stuff starts to mount up. Even going somewhere for a week normally involves a bit more than a few changes of underwear.
The challenge comes in balancing the wants/desires of the raveller against the costs of the airline.
For years, cartage was included in the price of the ticket (did I say that already?). Then, the low cost airlines got in the game and started charging for every last little item that people were willing to tolerate. In turn, this had a tendency to drive down the cost of tickets (comparison – in 1972 I paid ~$400 for a round trip ticket from Minnesota to Europe. That is comparative more expensive than today’s prices even with the sharply increased fuel costs.) No matter how cheaply the seats are priced today – sold is better than empty since the flight and cabin crew numbers are fixed and sunk costs.
In contrast – baggage is a money loser for the airline. Just as British Airlines after their Heathrow Terminal 5 opening fiasco with a pile up of over 65,000 pieces of luggage. (yes, sixty-five thousand pieces of luggage which did not make their owner’s flight and most of which were never reunited with their loved one.) It costs the airline for each and every piece which must be handled. The more the luggage, the more employees required since the movement time is fixed. Then there are the additional expenses of maintaining a tagging, tracking and lost luggage service for those pieces which inevitably are going to stray.
Charging for luggage can potentially turn baggage into at worst case a money neutral cost center. At best, it can make money, either with the luggage covering costs or the decreased luggage meaning that the airline can move high value paying freight.
All of this leads me to the problem of cabin space. When you have to pay for luggage, why not carry everything on? After all – if you get on first you can fill up all the overhead compartments and still keep your feet free of having to share with your bags. Never mind that everyone else seems to have the same attitude.
Our flight out of New Orleans was so full – packed even – that the gate personnel were offering free plane side checking of bags. No fools, we happily handed over one of the bags for free. Then they decided that the long board was too long so they offered to swap it out jetway to jetway.
Such a deal – no charge for luggage and we actually had some leg room. I won’t tell you this is a good idea for any carry one that is full of computers or cameras. But for that bad that you really are just hauling to avoid the charges, your life could just be a bit easier if you have the opportunity for plane side free check-in.
-Holly
Charlotte Airport waiting on her next flight!
Holly, sounds like a little good karma came your way! Hooray for leg room and free baggage!
The only free baggage I ever seem to get, I have to carry with me and no one else wants it! š
Take care and safe travels!
~Cin
LOL….you certainly “cashed” in on that exchange! But seriously…one of things I love about travelling on SWA (my low-fare airline of choice) is that they STILL don’t charge for the first 2 bags. We also found out, that for military personnel, this is three free bags!
As for over-seas flights…my fav so far are British Air and Aer Lingus. They put the American carriers to shame.
Not to mention the flight attendants who are deadheading to their next assignment and claim space in the overhead bins for all their bags before paying customers can grab the space. As happened today on my flight from Atlanta to DC.
Have a safe rest of your trip
Sounds like you’ve had a lovely cruise! I see Noah has cut his hair shorter – it looks good!
In a few places I have seen the recommendation that people bring all their luggage to the gate, and then āvolunteerā to gate check as a way of beating the baggage charge. Neither the airlines nor the rest of us who pay our way are unaware. I only carry on what can get broken or canāt get lost ā that would be my computer and camera, my meds, my knitting, and my lunch. The rest of it gets checked. Well, maybe a periodical, too.
I agree completely. I am also happy to do free check-in of my clothing/working papers but not critical suitcase⦠Since I am travelling 6-8 times/yr on business, my luggage costs are covered. However, I would do anything other than fight for overhead space, I even reduced the size of my briefcase to avoid this ātrauma.ā Laptop was smashed by another passage in an overhead bin ā do not want that experience againā¦.