Carry-on Luggage Swarm Hits TSA In The Billfold
The explosion in cost of checked on airline bags has customers scrambling for the carry-on luggage, reports the WA Post. The costs for inspecting the extra carry-ons are forcing the TSA to flex its spending budget to the max, which will eventually mean that working class individuals could be footing the bill. Currently, Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano estimates that the influx of carry-on baggage is costing Transportation Security Administration at least $ 260 million per year. Resource for this article – More carry-on luggage costing TSA millions by MoneyBlogNewz.
Carry-on luggage has to be more secure
So long as carry-on luggage fits an airline’s parameters, travelers have the right to bring it aboard. Napolitano said nothing comes free to U.S. Senate Appropriations subcommittee charwoman Sen. Mary Landrieu:
“When you have to pay to check a bag, it increases carry-on luggage, and that means there is more to inspect at the gate and so forth for passengers to get on planes,” she said.
In order for the Transportation Security Administration to be able to function optimally, costs must be absorbed. The cost of more carry-on luggage is something either the U.S. working class individuals or air carriers may have to cover. Putting higher airport safety charges on airline tickets was a suggestion Napolitano had for Sen. Landrieu. About $600 million a year would be taken in by the Transportation Security Administration, claims Napolitano, if $5-$10 a ticket were added.
Decision from Congress on airport safety charges hasn’t come through yet
An airport security fee is far from a new idea. Each year since 2002 when it first was proposed, it is proposed annually. However, Congress has not approved the airline ticket cost increase. Fewer flights, higher ticket prices and other passenger charges have already contributed to the first profitable year for the airline industry since 2007. Huge profits are expected from the government for the airline industry. About $5 billion in 2011 and $5.6 billion in 2012 are expected. It seems Congress is being careful. It does not want to add more fees.
Economy airline policies on baggage
Before getting to the gate, know precisely what the baggage policies are. It’s really significant to know what is free and what costs money. Make sure you keep up with this. Generally wheelchairs will not count towards luggage and are free. Children’s strollers are counted for free just like wheelchairs sometimes. In most cases, airlines won’t accept luggage heavier than 100 pounds as checked in baggage. Here are the major economy airlines. These are their baggage policies:
- Have a look at Southwest- Bags up to 50 pounds are accepted as free. Up to 2 could be checked. Got oversized baggage? You are able to pay between $25 and $100 to get it checked.
- Another is JetBlue- One bag is checked for free. It can’t weight over 50 pounds though. A second bag could be checked. It will be $50 though. Carryon baggage up to 40 pounds is acceptable. One could be checked for free. You can get oversized baggage on. Between $50 and $100 will be paid for it though.
- Virgin America is also there- Pay $25 for the first luggage. It has to be less than 70 pounds though. Pay $25 for additional check-ins. They have to weigh less than 50 pounds though. Anything additional will cost. This can go between $10 and $50.
Information from
About.com Air Travel
airtravel.about.com/od/whatyoucancantpack/a/stuff2.htm
Washington Post
washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/03/AR2011030305679.html?wprss=rss_print/asection
Cenk Uygur vs. Ana Kasperian on carry-on luggage
youtube.com/watch?v=vrM2eOnheo0
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