A clarification ran on this story, post-publication. United Airlines does not charge for aisle and window seats, as the story stated. The carrier does charge for upgrades from Economy to Economy Plus, Business and First Class, which has been confusing for passengers with middle seats receiving their boarding passes at airport kiosks. Offers to purchase aisle and window seats at that time are offers to upgrade, the company says.
Fees for checked baggage and fees for “upgrading” to an aisle or window seat are changing airline travel for everyone — even road-hardened frequent fliers who say they’re now looking for new tactics in what has become a battle to keep flying from making them crazy.
“It’s not just the money. I mean, $15 is no big deal,” says Tom Dargen, a Denverite who travels around the country for Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group. “It’s the headache of how it’s going to change the dynamic. Now you’ll have a bunch of people who didn’t used to carry on doing it, just when we’d had the airlines cracking down on how much carry-on you could take.”
Several locals mentioned that this will make them more loyal to the airlines with whom they have status, because United, American and US Airways will waive the fee for certain levels of frequent-flier club members and for some upgrades.
Others say they are simply cutting back on flying.
“I am a girl who enjoys her options, and they have taken away my options,” says Denver public relations and marketing consultant Wendy Aiello. “I hate to fly now, and it used to be fun.”
Aiello says she and her family have canceled a long- awaited trip to Italy this summer because they don’t want to deal with the expense or the stress. “I ask you, what can you do with 3 ounces? I need my products,” she says. “Once you lose your $25 lip gloss, you learn. So when I fly, I have to check bags, and God, that is such a hassle.”
Jeff Calhoun, who lives in Conifer and commutes to Chicago two or three times a month, never checks bags. “A fool and his luggage are soon parted,” he says. “I can’t claim credit for that line; I got it from a CFO I used to work with, but it bears repeating.”
In addition to the fees for baggage, United fliers have to pay extra for aisle seats and upgrades to economy and business class.
“It’s just another way they nickel-and-dime us,” Dargen says. Then he jokes, “The thing is, I have a bladder the size of a walnut and a serious drinking problem, and I cannot sit by the window, so I just have to pay it. Which means I’m also out of luck in the carry-on department, because the way United works it, I am last in line with an aisle seat to get on the plane — which I pay extra for.”
Some are taking it even more personally.
“I just feel like women get kind of singled out with this,” says Britta Erickson, festival director for the Denver Film Society. “I have guy friends who could shove everything in a duffel bag and get along fine for a week. But I’m sorry, I wear clothes, and I have shoes, and now I feel like a travel criminal, like, ‘Oh, my God, look at all of that woman’s bags.’ ”
What also has yet to be addressed: How will travelers feel about having to pay extra for luggage that winds up lost?
“The airlines have lost my luggage more than the average person, honestly,” Erickson says. “Maybe I will pay the fee in pennies. That will make me feel better.”
At least these road warriors aren’t so strategy-minded that they won’t share their intelligence with you. Here are some of their ideas on how to get more in less space — or not.
Jeff Calhoun, director of business excellence, Baxter International
Flies: Two-three times a month
Strategy: Carry-on only. “My company went business casual years ago, so that helps enormously,” Calhoun says. On the rare occasions that he does have to wear a suit or sport jacket, he wears them onto the plane, and takes full advantage of the pockets in his luggage to compartmentalize underwear, socks, pajamas, a spare pair of shoes, his baggy of toiletries and three pairs of pants, which, along with a briefcase that contains a laptop and papers, comprises his usual business-trip setup. “I am comfy going onto the plane,” he says. “Jeans and sandals, so that’s what I walk around in when I’m not working at the location.”
Best tip: When you get your shirts dry-cleaned, have them folded instead of hung on a hanger so they’re ready to just put right in the suitcase. “You never get them folded as tightly and nicely as they’ll do it at the dry cleaners.”
Britta Erickson, festival director, Denver Film Society
Flies: Two-three times a month
Strategy: Checks bags. “If you’re going to an international film festival and then tacking on a couple of days for personal travel, forget it; you have to check a bag,” she says. “And shoes? And in the winter, boots? I’m a boot gal, and three pairs of boots is almost its own bag.”
Best tip: Black. “Try to work everything in your wardrobe around a couple of key pieces that don’t show the dirt and aren’t real distinctive,” she says. “Pack some fun belts and accessorize around the main pieces.” She also recommends investing in good luggage. “Find something with lots of little expandable pockets and jam stuff in.” Hers is a rollaway duffel from Burton, the snowboard company, with plenty of nooks and crannies, in pink and green hounds tooth, “so I’ll always recognize it.”
Tom Dargen, director of brewing operations, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group
Flies: Twice a month
Strategy: Checks bags for business and leisure travel. When flying for business, he plans to check his bag and pay the fee. He usually flies Frontier when possible but will be flying United for the first time under the new system next week. “I’m in a bit of a conundrum, because I don’t have status with United, and I’m in an aisle seat,” he says, “so I am taking a risk with not having any carry-on space left because I’ll be one of the last people on the plane.”
Best tip: When traveling with kids and checking bags, use the largest suitcases you have, but weigh the bags before heading out to the airport and then evenly distribute the weight. “I’m not going to pay any overweight fee,” he says. “I’ll wear an extra pair of pants on the plane before I pay for that.”
Gerry Lewis-Jenkins, executive vice president, Copic Insurance Co.
Flies: Averages three times a month
Strategy: Always carry on. “There are so many canceled or delayed flights, and with business travel, you can’t show up without makeup or clean underwear,” Lewis-Jenkins says. “Who wants to go to a presentation with your hair matted down and no makeup?”
The biggest hassle, she adds, is trying to get the liquids she needs in convenient 3-ounce sizes. “Not everybody can stick moisturizer and anti-aging cream and spot remover and shampoo in those tiny bottles, you know.”
Best tip: Lewis-Jenkins swears by Chico’s. “I’ve adapted an entire travel wardrobe from their stuff,” she says. “The fabric travels beautifully, and it’s lightweight. You can bunch it up, and it doesn’t wrinkle. I just get black in everything: black pants, skirt, jacket, and then some brighter tops and one pair of black shoes, and off you go.”
Wendy Aiello, owner, Aiello Public Relations and Marketing
Flies: Twice a month
Strategy: Cut back on flying. “I do a lot more conference calling,” Aiello says. “It has changed how we do meetings. I’m getting it that my clients don’t want to fly as much either, so we come up with other ways to get business done. It’s cheaper — and everyone appreciates that.”
Best tip: Travel locally. “Go to someplace like the Broadmoor, put the money into the local economy,” she says. “That’s what we do for things like spring break. Quick drive, check in for the weekend, get pampered. No stress. Love it.”
Kyle Wagner: 303-954-1599 or travel@denverpost.com
Checked-baggage fees
American Airlines
First bag: $15 each way
Second bag: $25 each way
Additional: $100 per bag for 3-5 bags; $200 for each bag beyond 6
Exceptions: Customers who purchase first or business-class tickets; AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum and AAdvantage Gold members, as well as customers flying on the same reservation, and customers who purchase full-fare tickets in economy class.
More info:
Spirit Airlines
First bag: $15 each way
Second bag: $25 each way (Spirit guarantees one item per fare-paying customer at the airport; additional bags are guaranteed only when reserved in advance online)
Additional: $100 per bag for 3-5 bags (if available)
Exceptions: None listed.
More info:
United Airlines
First bag: $15 each way
Second bag: $25 each way
Additional: $125 or $250 for three or more bags, overweight bags or “special handling”
Exceptions: Those flying in first or business class, have premier status or on Star Alliance or international flights or military personnel flying on orders
More info:
US Airways (beginning July 9)
First bag: $15
Second bag: $25
Additional: $100 each bags 3-9
Exceptions: Preferred members, Europe and Asia flights, Star Alliance Silver and Gold status members, unaccompanied minors, passengers checking personal assistive devices, first class and Envoy passengers at time of check-in (some exceptions), active military personnel with ID and government-issued travel orders on active duty status.
More info:
A clarification ran on this story, post-publication. United Airlines does not charge for aisle and window seats, as the story stated. The carrier does charge for upgrades from Economy to Economy Plus, Business and First Class, which has been confusing for passengers with middle seats receiving their boarding passes at airport kiosks. Offers to purchase aisle and window seats at that time are offers to upgrade, the company says.
