Airline bag fees tangle security lines

[marmar]

By Christopher Hinton, MarketWatch

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) — Fliers trying to avoid airline fees for checked baggage are tangling airport security lines, dragging out waiting times and discouraging people from flying, according to a Wednesday report from the U.S. Travel Association.

Removing the fee for the first checked-in bag could be one step in reforming the security procedures that are discouraging people from traveling and costing the economy some $85 billion in lost consumer spending, the group said.

Also suggested was a government-run “trusted traveler” program, a reduction in duplicative Transportation Security Administration screening for international arrivals, and removing redundant and sometimes conflicting authorities at checkpoint areas by giving the TSA full rein.

“While our government and passengers deserve credit for preventing another terrorist attack like what happened nearly 10 years ago on 9/11, each day in the United States roughly 2 million air travelers are advised to arrive upwards of two hours before a flight in order to be processed through a one-size-fits-all security-screening system,” said Roger Dow, chief executive of the association. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/usta-bag-fees-tangle-airport-security-lines-2011-03-16?link=kiosk

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Agreed, but it will never go back. The airlines see the big bucks it creates. n.t

[KansDem]

2. Airline passengers will just keep hauling their steamer trunks on as "carry ons"

...hogging the overhead bins! Don't get me started! :grr:

[marmar]

3. And whacking everyone seated along the aisle on their way to their seats.

nt

[customerserviceguy]

4. Just one of the reasons

I get a window seat. I can also lean up against the side of the aircraft without hearing it complain.

[madinmaryland]

5. Bags fly free on Southwest!