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Bagged by oversize luggage fees


Q: I recently flew from Orlando to Atlanta on AirTran with two checked bags. One of the items was a large bin, but the ticket agents allowed me to check it without so much as a raised eyebrow.

On my return flight, I wasn’t so fortunate. This time, an agent told me the bin was “oversize” and that I had to pay a $65 fee.

Before flying, I checked the AirTran site for luggage size restrictions, and I measured the bin. It was within the carrier’s size limits. At the gate, the AirTran associates measured it three times — and each time they came up with a different number.

This doesn’t make sense. Why would AirTran allow me to fly one way with a bag but not let me return with it? I’ve tried talking to customer service, and aside from being a little rude, they won’t budge an inch.

If I had been told in Orlando that the bin was too big, I could have made other arrangements. But once I got to Atlanta, it was too late. I think AirTran owes me $65. Can you help me get my money back?

— Brent Gaubatz, Orlando

A: If your bag wasn’t oversize, then AirTran shouldn’t have charged you $65. That’s a pretty open-and-shut case, if you ask me.

Then again, when it comes to luggage, nothing is ever an open-and-shut case.

Passengers, as a matter of course, try to take all their earthly belongings on the plane with them. Sometimes, that literally includes the kitchen sink. Yes, I’ve spoken with flight attendants who swear they’ve seen it (also microwave ovens, TVs, computers — the list goes on and on).

I think you could have easily avoided this confrontation. Rather than packing an enormous bin, why not split your luggage between two large bags? How much more effort would that have taken?

If you needed to take the bin, you should have anticipated the trouble. Printing out the luggage restrictions from AirTran’s Web site, chapter and verse, would have been helpful. You could also have brought your own measuring tape so that you could independently verify the dimensions of your bin.

AirTran shouldn’t have measured your bin three times, and when it came up with different dimensions, you should have appealed the decision to a manager. Why? Because once an airline takes your money, it is slow to return it. I’m not sure a refund from AirTran would be forthcoming.

I contacted the airline on your behalf, and it took another look at your record. Within a few hours, an airline representative had called you to offer a full refund of your baggage fee.

I think AirTran ultimately did the right thing. And what’s more, it usually does — I can count on one hand the number of AirTran complaints I’ve received since starting this column. So I think your experience was the exception rather than the rule.


Wit's Notes:
I also read another story (I can't find it now) about how some airlines are cutting the weight allowance on checked bags from 70 down to 50 lbs. You can then pay $25 if the bag is 51 to 70 lbs then $50 for 71 to 100lbs. Anything over that is $100.

If you fly with lots of "stuff" (like Johnny Black or Vegas Bob) you can always break it down into two bags. If you think you might be overweight or are planning on bringing lots of stuff back with you (ie.cigars, booze, coffee) just pack a small plastic or canvas duffle bag and break it out if needed as your 2nd bag.

Some airlines are also cutting back on carry-ons, food, pillows and blankets.

With higher fuel costs and the airlines strapped for cash they are looking for more and more ways to make money.

I had some issues with luggage on the way back from my SB trip. Appearantly, on december 12, TACA lowered the weight limits on each piece of checked baggage. The new limit is 2 pieces, no more than 50 lbs each. The old was 70-30. I don't think they lowered the carry-on limits, but they are enforcing them more stricly now.

The problem I had was with my carry-on. The max is 22 lbs and mine was 24 lbs, so the guy wanted me to check it in. (On the way to SJO, my carry-on was even heavier and the agent at JFK didn't say anything.) When I told him that I would transfer something to my checked bag, he noticed I had my laptop in my carry-on and he said it's ok if you have a computer. I don't know what the hell that was all about, but appearantly, if you have a computer in your carry-on, you can go over the weight limit, or something like that.

http://www.taca.com/eng/tra/tbef/tbefbagpol.asp

Orange wrote:



Most airlines allow you to bring a lap top on board as carry on in addition to your one carry on bag. This also applies to womens purses and attaché cases. The agent (using his head which is unusual) correctly deduced that if you removed your laptop from your carry on and carried it on board separately, as allowed, your carry on bag would meet the weight limit.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Nope, not me, it was Orange.

I know my "limits".

I did have to bring a larger suitcase for all the beads and stuff we gave away at the pre Super Bowl party courtesy of Johnny Black. I had plenty of empty space for my dirty laundry upon my return.