As a frequent traveler I have a choice. Airlines have been increasing costs and decreasing the quality of their service for years. I plan to vote with my dollar. I might note that KGO Newstalk Radio in SFO polled their listeners today and got a 90% yes to 'think twice about flying United' because of the new policy - I know I will.

Whats Next?
"Will allow only people who are in a certain weight range" For every extra pound of body weight you will be charged $25"

I agree Airlines are trying to cut costs but already passengers are getting beaten everywhere by these Airlines like 'delays, overbooking, peanuts, charge for water etc..'
Compared to other countries where I flew, Airlines here are offering a below par service.
Good Luck to all of us in the future.

I think this is absolutely ridiculous, at least for the supposed reasons behind the change, i.e. more bags weigh more, which requires more gas, which costs more. I don't dispute the rise in gas prices--but airlines, including United, have raised fares and now charge supplemental fees to address this--so why another fee related to baggage? The problem with this argument is that I usually prefer to travel with two smaller bags instead of one large one--I am a small person and can't lift the larger bag alone, but I can lift two smaller bags. The weight is the same--but now I'm being charged for the smaller "extra" bag. If I choose to carry that bag on, then I fight for overhead space, hear the flight attendants grip, and traipse all over the airport with that bag that could have been checked--it still weighs the same, whether it's in the cargo hold or the overhead bin. Maybe it's a ploy to lay off baggage handlers so they can make more money that way--sounds plausible to me. I have written to United on this matter and if other airlines do NOT follow suit, I will choose to fly on another airline whenever possible. The result of such a policy will be passengers bringing bags on as carry-ons that have no way of fitting in an overhead bin and will ultimately have to be transferred to the cargo hold--and will they then have to pay $25 while the plane is waiting to take off? It will not be pleasant, but then flying is anything BUT pleasant these days--and if I could drive everywhere I have to travel, I would!

When I read about this I was disgusted! Having just seen the headline on the 2nd worst airline record & having just experienced lost luggage, I am astounded that poor performers feel perfectly comfortable charging another fee before they provide better service. Discouraging checking 2 bags does make one less bag they can lose! Monopolies are disastrous for consumers. Only in America does a company raise prices having performed poorly! What a country!

I think that the $25 for a second luggage bag is excessively expensive for many vacation travelers, especially families with children. Babies need many changes of clothing, youngsters need their favorite items along with them to successfully travel anywhere (or they are way too loud!), and teenagers need their totally cool stuff with or they can make the whole family miserable. Americans have need of way too much stuff to pack into 2 bags, much less one! Business travelers will seldom, if ever, be effected by this. I guess it's back to car trips for those with families. So much for airline's offering 'economy' class!

I changed from one large bag to two smaller bags years ago, to save my back when loading and unloading into car trunks, etc. Now I'll be forced to go back to one larger bag. Clearly, the airlines should charge by weight and not by the number of bags if they want to be fair.

I would be OK with the $25 fee for the second bag if they gave a $25 credit for no bags...but I seriously doubt that will happen!

It's funny how they waive the fee for the most frequent fliers. Most people with elite status are business travelers who rarely check bags never mind check more than 1, thus the airlines really are making money off those of us who fly less frequently, or not frequently enough to make elite status. One more reason for me to dislike United and fly Jet Blue.

I certainly don't intend to fly United--but I never liked them as an airline anyway.

United has once again proven they have no idea how to run a successful airline. Instead of managing their way out of the financial mess they're in, they try to nickel and dime their customers by charging for curbside check-in, food, and now extra bags. It's ridiculous....

Interesting that Southwest has no problem making a profit without all the extra fees, add ons, and excess garbage. When will the rest of the airline industry swallow their pride and copy the SWA model?

This is really an awful policy - first because this now an extra fee corporate travel will not cover it. Secondly, now even more people will drag more bags onto the airplane. Getting on and off an airplane these days such a pain, as you have to wait for folks to unload all their luggage. And then for the those last on the plane there is a no room for their luggage.

The fee does not bother me as much as the Travelers that decide to try to carry on an extra bag, or gate check it. The gate agents will probably give out the gate checks.

This slows down the rest of us, who are trapped on the plane until they unload the gate checked bags.

Steve

Travelers should pack lighter and smarter to begin with. It seems that people want to take all of their household items on a trip which brings up a question, "Why go on a trip if you really want all of your worldly goods with you?" I don't have a problem with taking smaller, lighter bags!

If I do not check any bags they should pay me $25.

Allen

As a business traveler, this does not impact me what so ever. However, my family of five, well that is another story. Take for instance a recent 2,000 mile trek to San Diego for an eight day family vacation. With three children five years and younger, each has their own car seat. Add two stollers and three to four suite cases and you are talking eight to nine checked items. And that is not over packing. Of course, I would expect nothing less from United Airlines, which is why I have taken my business.

Very briefly -- I won't travel with United again because of the extra baggage fee.

I had to pay 300.00 USD on a flight from AMS to MUC for my extra bag. All of the sudden 25.00 USD does not seam so bad.

If I have a choice in airlines when making my next travel plans, you can bet it won't be United.

Having just wrestled with my wife's 48-50 lb. bag on a trip to the Caribbean, I vowed to replace her one big bag with two smaller ones. The air line (Delta) even slapped a red "heavy" label on the bag. Despite United's announcement, I won't be changing my mind. But I will be changing my air line whenever possible. I fear, like others, the slow check-in lines of people arguing about the "surprise" charge that the non-elite travelers will not be aware of, having to pay the extra $25, taking more stuff through security, and struggling to get it into the overhead bins. Why don't they just keep raising fares to pay for the extra cost of fuel.

If they need to cover fuel costs, just incorporate it in to the price of the ticket, as I do see this causing delays at check-in.

I do agree however that passengers should be limited to one carry on and if they have extra, are required to check them in and deal with baggage claim. There is not one single flight I have been on where there has not been an issue with bags being too large for the overhead bins or not enough space. These selfish people do not want to have to wait for their additional luggage in baggage claim, so subject those of us who travel light, smart and are considerate of others to their attempts to squeeze everything in the overhead bins and in turn, delay other passengers boarding and the flight departing on time.

To these people, I say tough and learn to plan accordingly.

I think this new change will prove costly due to the extra manpower they will need to employ to process this new fee - United check-in lines are inefficient enough as it is without adding more things to hold them back. I understand their want to better their financials but I just don't think this is the move that will be successful.

I believe this will cause more carry-on when there is already too much carry-on. What if you check one bag and then find that your second bag will not fit as carry-on because everyone else has brought their second bag as carry-on. Are they going to collect the $25 there on the plane?

I'll never fly an airline that charges me for a 2nd bag.

If weight is truly the issue, they should charge obese people more. What has a greater impact on fuel: the person with an extra 40 pound suitcase or the person with an extra 75 pounds around the middle?

Anyone above a certain girth should pay for two seats or business class. This issue comes up regularly. Now that it's more than just passenger comfort at stake, but actual money, maybe it will carry more "weight".

I predict this charge will be on every airline in 3 to 6 months. Airline flight used to be enjoyable, now it is worse than driving. Add in the long TSA lines, parking fees, airport traffic, rude gate agents... I have cut my flying in half in the last year. I drive whenever I can.

This is just another example of the airlines charging more for tickets and giving the customer less. First it was meals, now it is baggage. I am a frequent business traveler who goes on-site for sometime a month and I really need that second bag. This really ticks me off. I guess I should have seen it coming, but it is just another expense we as consumers have to incur. Unfortunately, our salaries are not going up everytime everything else does. I guess I will have to pass this expense on to my customers!

If it keeps the price of the ticket down it is ok. You have a choice if you want to pack more or not. I think United is a good airline and they treat their passengers well.

I think they should just weigh you AND your bags at check-in and charge extra for each 25 lbs over 250 lbs, thus they can evenly spread the extra fuel costs across the obese people and those who can't leave home without the kitchen sink.

ALthough I, like you, have seen this coming; I see the $25 dollar fee per bag as a bit excessive. Considering the airlines are already getting agressive about keeping your bag at the 40 pound max limit (varies per airline), limiting to 1 bag is another indignation to suffer at the counter. It would not be uncommon for a family of 4 to have 6-8 bags for a vacation. That would add up to $50-100 each way for luggage.

Just continue to add the cost to the ticket price. It is easier and a more consistent approach.

Where does it stop? I was waiting for them to lift the $80 fee for luggage > 50lbs? I agree with the other comments, If I only weigh 150 I should't have to pay the same as someone who weighs 250 right?

Who was the genius that came up with this scheme and it is a scheme? I bet at the end of the year the people that came up with the scheme will get a bonus. Here are some other ideas to save them money; stop painting their planes with their fancy logos and paint them white, have the CEO take a pay cut as well as other VPs, all that fancy letter head, business cards, make them less fancy, outsource the flight attendants. These ideas could save you boat loads of money. If you are going to charge a fee, why not just add it to the ticket price, cause you know they are going to do that soon anyway. Give me a break United! You can't fool a fool.

I'm confused - not about the $50 fee - but about your column "Business Class".
Are you simply assuming that we care more about your insecurities and anecdotes than about the real impacts of a likely to be universal action such as this from United ??
Corporate Travel - ie: Travel Policies / Preferred Airlines / Reimbursement Rules
And you are worried most about Angst at the Check-In Counter ??

I think the most fair policy is to allocate a certain number of pounds per person, including body weight, carry-on and checked bags. It's all going on the same plane, afterall.

My daughters are petite young women, yet they have been forced to unpack bags and then take the same items in their carry-ons...to save the extra weight fees. Hello?...it's still on the same plane...

Similarly, I have flown with very large people who have forced me to spend the entire flight in a distorted, crunched position, as they are utilizing half of my seat. I think the airline should make them pay for 1/2 of my seat, if I can't sit in a normal fashion.

For many years I lived in the US and had to constantly worry about the number of bags I had for each trip, if they would be lost and the weight requirements when flying on United. I have now lived and work in China for the last four years and I have none of these problems on the Chinese airlines. I have never had a bag lost, if I am a little overweight, I do not have to pay an extra charge, I get free meals and beverages and I can carry onboard two small bags and my computer. The Chinese airlines are the most profitable in the world and are run very efficently. Maybe United should send their management team to China to learn how to run an airline. I have no plans to ever again use United for international or domestic flights even if they didn't charge the $25 fee for a second checked bag.

I do not agree with the charge for the second bag. Until the airlines beef up their service and can offer this service in an acceptable manner without losing luggage, cancelling flights, delays, etc....I do not think this is the time for them to be adding on extra charges.

How will the airline handle everyone adding a carry on in addition to the 1 checked bag? What will happen when there is no room on the overhead bins? Have they thought of that scenerio?

Just another reason to avoid UNITED and if other airlines follow suit, I will look for the ones that don't. UNITED will not get my business for beginning this insulting and inequitable scam. I have already decided to drive for trips that are 10 hours or less. It is more pleasant and with some of the new fuel saving cars you can save much on gas. Rentals have become less expensive also. I would rather invest in a hybrid than continue to suffer under the unpleasant conditions that have become de rigeur in air travel in the U.S. It is much different flying around the UK which has much improved and as a result, I rent less in Europe and fly more. Reverse that here. Shame on United!

Wow...I never fly United. This fee will cause a wrinkle in many travelers' plans this summer. I learned my lesson when packing my family up for Las Vegas all in one suitcase. The airline charged me extra because of the weight and size of the bag. I didn't mind (I won all my money back at the tables). Now, we only travel with one carry on each. We pack smarter now and it really does produce a hassle-free experience.

Absolutely ridiculous!! That is highway robbery. I will be sure to book future flights with another airline as I am sure others will.

I don't totally disagree with the extra charge for extra baggage...I just believe the airlines should be more accountable & responsible for the damage they do to our luggage. It never fails that what they break they don't cover...like the suitcase handle. How ridiculous is it that, they refuse to cover a handle but will cover the pop up handle that they never need to touch?

I have over 600,000 lifetime flight miles with United, but have shifted away from the heavy biz-traveler corporate positions while I spend more time with my growing family. Now that I travel more with my family than by myself, this is a direct financial assault on my travel needs and pocketbook. It's pretty simple. Small kids add luggage. I'll take my flight dollars elsewhere. It's a shame as it's inevitable I will have to return to heavy business travel when they are older, but I will not be returning to United if they continue to increase costs in this petty way while decreasing their performance and customer service record.

I think they are going in the wrong direction when it comes to checking bags. How many bags on average does a passenger check? I believe the airlines should encourage checking bags as it definitely will speed the security line as well as boarding. After 9/11 and they had people check bags, it was great how quickly we were able to board and de-plane on a flight. And, I never got hit on the head from someone pulling their heavy bag out of the overhead space. It was great. No, I think United and the airlines are moving in the wrong direction. They should charge for carrying on luggage. Purses, book bags, brief cases are fine, but suit case carry-ons, should have the $25 charge.

I'm really glad I read this BEFORE making my travel arrangements for two impending trips. I at least know what airline to avoid for now.
The fallout will be even MORE people carrying as much as they possibly can onto the planes. This will hurt leisure travel (who can take one bag on a trip that is 5 days? 7? 10?)
I would be inclined to less disgusted with it if other services weren't being decreased or eliminated, if -- LIKE ANY OTHER TICKET PURCHASE -- I could transfer my ticket to someone else or if I didn't pay 300 dollars on one night for the same type of ticket someone else got for 200 12 hours later. The airline industry has become a joke and this is just putting United in the punch line.

The airlines are making it near impossible for the business traveler. Since half of my needs cannot be brought onto the plane, it is necessary to put my briefcase on as luggage. Therefore, I will always have two bags and am being penalized. I will NEVER fly this or any other airline that charges for a second bag.

I have more of a problem with the insensitive idiots who responded with attacks on overweight people than with the $25.00 surcharge for baggage! Some people are just downright miserable and will find anyway they can to make everyone else miserable. If you can't afford to fly - - don't!

Airline "service" in this country has been whittled away to the point that I'm surprised passengers aren't just duct-taped to the airplane wings. Different sorts of trips require different kinds of baggage, and winter time travel often requires carting along a heavy coat and boots that one can't necessarily wear comfortably on the plane. So what's a traveler to do? We've already been asked to put our shampoo in impossible 3-oz. containers. For rich people, none of this is a burden. They simply step out at their destination and purchase anything they need. For those of us traveling on more modest means, we bring things along because it's more economical.
Sadly, I think this is where every airlines is headed. I used to love traveling in the 1980's. I flew everywhere---all over the world. It was a breeze. It was relaxing. Nowadays even a one-hour flight becomes an all-day and sometimes even two-day venture. And that's not "ad"-venture, either. I have stopped flying and only do so when it's absolutely necessary.

This is absurd to charge an extra $25.00 fee for baggage. I will never fly with United Airlines personally or business, especially when you have the long delays, canceled flights, lost baggage, and long lines.

I think it's crazy for the airlines to charge $25 for a 2nd bag. This adds up to an extra $50 on the cost of the ticket because you have to pay this fee to go both ways. Part of the problem is that the suitcase itself weighs close to 10 pounds empty and you have to be careful and not exceed the 50 pound limit or else you will charged anyway. I think that the airlines should either raise the luggage weight limit to 70 pounds and then they can charge for a second bag, or remove the $25 fee for the second bag.

What this will do is cause EVERYONE to have carry on luggage. Carry on luggage is already out of control. It will take forever to get on and then off the plane while everyone struggles with their carry ons. I'm sure they are doing this because it will cut down on the number of baggage handlers needed.
Janis

I think the better approach is that the airlines charge per pound for your fare. Your weight + baggage at the airline's per pound rate. I purchase fruits & veggies by the pound, gas by the gallon, energy by the KW. Why not my flight by total weight? This would encourage people to pack less, wear less and be a motivator to loose the extra pounds around the middle.

The seats are smaller, the passengers are bigger, snacks are overpriced like a movie concession, except you don't get a movie, the lines are longer, the carry-on items are HUGE, prices are higher, amenities are non-exsistent, you have to practically strip for the security and present documents from birth to everybody and their brother, everybody is less patient, airports are size of the grand canyon, yet flights are always late for the connection so you have to run like Marion Jones to catch a shuttle to get you to the A,B,C, etc. concourse and now they want to charge extra for the 2nd bag? I am buying a new car with the built in movies, buy my own snacks,pick my passengers and DRIVE.

What we need is for air carriers to charge extra for CARRYONS... not checked pieces, as long as you have no more than two.
Aren't you fed up with pax that carry on an ENORMOUS bag that they can't lift, let alone fit in the overhead?
While I'm at it, fellow pax, next time one of these wingnuts is struggling with a bag they should have checked, DON'T jump up and help. If they can't lift it, give it to the F/A and have them check it!

Wm.

On a recent United flight that is supposed to be a quick 1.5 hours from Las Vegas to Denver It took my family and I over 13 hours between all of the cancellations, then delay, and then waiting on baggage. As everyone has mentioned they are one of the worst performers out there, and they think it's justifiable to raise their rates!? We had to wait almost TWO HOURS after our United flight landed to be able to claim our one checked bag per person. I'm not sure how much of this was United and how much of it is the airport, but other carriers seemed to be running just fine. I already vowed to boycott United before they even made this ridiculous announcement.

Finally I am somewhat on the larger side myself, but I do understand everyones comments about looking at a travelers weight in addition to their baggage weight. That does only make sense. But if that were to ever happen they'd need to be reasonable, as more and more people in the US are unfortunately larger and/or obese. They'd need to make the travelers weight and all baggage weight at least 300 - 350lbs to be fair.

But the sad part is no one listens to the consumer these days. A bunch of suits sit around in a board room and come up with some "grand" ideas.

As a large man at 350lbs, I'm offended at so many suggestions that I be charged extra for my weight. As a Mileage Plus Premier and AAdvantage Gold, I have some seat time. I am respectful to others and do my best not to impede on my neighbors. So people want me to pay more for the same seat going to the same location?

There is more wrong with the system than just large people in small seats!

This may be politically incorrect, but I weigh 125 pounds and travel with two small bags because they are easier to load and unload into my car. Those bags total may weigh 45 pounds, so I am at 170. I have to pay more because it costs more to carry myself and two bags than it does to carry the lady in the seat next to me who weighs 200 lbs (AND has a large 50 lb bag) - total 250? It's easier to look me in the eye and charge me more than to tell her she has to pay more? Just wondering?

As someone who trys not to check luggage due to the lost luggage issues and long waits for checked items I have to say I just see this is yet another way to raise fares. We will see an increase in carry-on and even longer lines at TSA. But with the travel industry's approach to customer service being "NEXT CUSTOMER" as long as there is someone waiting in line things will not improve. I am truly looking forward to an upcoming trip on a non US flag carrier that does understand customer service.

If your $25 suitcase does not arrive when you do, can you get double your money back?

I can't stand it when people stuff carry-on cases the size of a Volkswagen into an overhead compartment that is too small to begin with. This situation is just going to get worse and worse, thanks to the airlines' new idea. Great - something else to make the flight even less enjoyable.

Let me see, since 1985 - no smoking, no meals, few ontime departures or arrivals, no short lines! And NOW - no extra bags? What's next? No passengers maybe?

I think this is terrible. I pack 2 cases because I am a senior and for me to pick up 1 large suitcase does not work. Maybe they should consider a total weight limit on luggage not # of cases. I will not fly an airline that charges for a second case and I hope others will think about that also.

First, there are so many reasons already not to fly United, it is just one more. I agree with the comments that it is a bad time, flight delays are at an all time high, lost luggage, higher prices and lower service. I believe that for United, the traveler that has a choice will choose another airline -- on principle alone..

Children adding to the luggage brings up a related point: why not stop the practive of free of charge children in parents' laps? This is a big imposition on the passenger next to them, having a small child's head leaning on your shoulder and the obvious fuss a child will start, being held for an extended period of time, not pleasant for them nor for fellow passengers.

This is definately a reason not to fly United. I have a family and at least one or two of us require a second bag for week long family trips. I carry 2 lighter weight bags because 1 50-lb bag is too heavy. If I have to pay $25/bag there is no way I would consider Untied. I wonder if they would allow people to pay with points.

This is a bad idea and very discriminatory. It is an extra charge based on the number of pieces and not the total weight. As a senior citizen, it's more convenient to pack the same amount of goods in two smaller bags. I've also saved miles to use after retirement and Economy Saver gets hit with the one bag limit. Families with small children need lots of misc. pieces of luggage. Premier and higher travelers don't get hit with this charge. United doesn't fly to where my business requires me to fly, so I can't accumulate Premium status with them.
I didn't make a choice of airline based on the $5 they save with meals, but this baggage feel will affect my (non-award) travel. This policy will just see more carry-on bags and larger checked bags, without a reduction in weight. It doesn't cost $25 to handle (or lose) and extra bag. The airlines need to go back to providing good service, including meals, on-time arrivals, and reliable luggage transport. The price for that service should be in the total ticket price.

Perhaps the airline needs to base their baggage fees on the total weight of the bags, not the number of the bags. For those of us who check a small, carry on size suitcase and an overnight case with our toiletries in it, we should not have to pay the extra $25 for the second bag. I will not be flying with United any more. Their service, and attitudes, does not warrant this extra fee.

I am always astounded when standing in line to board, of all the people with oversized luggage. They certainly would not fit in the "sample" bin that is in the tickets area. That needs to be addressed first before you tag on an extra cost for those travelers who are on vacation with their families and are penalized for the extra bags.

First everyone wanted cheap airfares, so we get lousy service and NO amenities (except wonderful, warm cookies on Midwest!!!) After 9/11 we demanded security and got endless recordings over airport PA systems plus lousy security to boot. Ever seen TSA rush out to grab an unattended bag? Never! So don't complain about an extra luggage charge - there's no telling what lousy solution they'll think up for that! Air travel is definitely NOT for wimps.

Stuart has it right. Too many people bring on bags that don't fit under the seat in front of them. There should be a fee for that. The airlines need to enforce the size of carry on issue. The extra fee as it stands is just a way to jack up the price to fly.
Also, put a scale at check-in. A person over 200 Lbs, extra $25, over 300 Lbs, extra $250.

Anyone that has ever been next to an overweight person will agree. They ooze over their alloted seat, they even want to raise the armrest to spread their mass into my space.

Bottom line...TSA wants more checked baggage so that they don't have to deal with it at security. Passengers are now complying and the airlines are just trying to take advantage.

If I have my way no one from our company will every fly United again. The nickle and dime approach is just not necessary. Charge me a reasonable rate for every mile and leave the rest alone. Seems another airline has the right idea.

By far the fairest way to determine a person's cost of flying is weight. The cost of the flight (crew, fuel, depreciation, ground support,etc.) divided by the total payload weight (passengers, luggage, mail, cargo, deadheaders) will give you the price per pound (kilogram). Take this price and multiply by a traveler's total weight (body, clothes, carry ons, checked luggage, pets, children, etc.) for that travelers base price. Then tack on a fair profit and taxes and, voila, you have a fair price and the airline makes a profit every flight.

Of course you'll never know how much your flight cost you until you arrive and the 45 people on that empty A320 to Cleveland will have to cough up a lot more than each of the 350 people on that full B767 to Boston.

When I travel for pleasure, it's usually for a diving and underwater photography trip. I usually have two checked bags, and I struggle to make them weigh less than 50 lbs each. One will have my scuba gear -- life support equipment -- and one will have clothes, personal items, film, batteries for the underwater strobes, etc.

My carry on is my camera gear, which I can't trust to baggage handlers. I will also have a purse or bag that can hold my purse, a book, a pair of shorts and a bathing suit, and a sweater. These are carry-on to keep me warm and entertained on the plane, and so that IF my checked bag is lost or delayed, I can still start my vacation.

Without these items, I might as well not go. For many years golfers got to take their golf bags with no extra charge even though they were overweight or oversize, where divers did not get the same accomodation. Now there is the extra fee on top of it.

My fear is that the other airlines will follow suit.

As a Buisness travler, I find it to be somewhat of an hassle to have to pay for an extra bag. Business traveler's make up a largest precent of the airline passengers and we should be allowed to check that extra bag at no cost, given the fact that we are really the primary travelers in this country. Now we can all look forward to the BAGGAGE WARS from all airlines to begin.

I think this is just an attempt to look fiscally responsible to the Federal Government when they need to get bailed out the next time!!

To the folks who say that a second bag is not needed... I am a business traveler who puts in 75,000 miles a year. I have to carry a tool case that HAS to be checked because it has special tools in it to do my job. My second bag carries clothing. Sometimes I'm gone for three weeks at a time. It was tough for me when the weight limit went from 70 to 50 pounds! So this United decision is just another slap in the face. I want to know when we get something back for poor service. If a flight cancels for mechanical reasons, we should get 50% back. I've proven that United lied to me one time about a delayed flight that put me in Chicago overnight. I had to fight strongly, but made them pay totally for hotel rooms for myself and 18 other stranded fliers. United is just a bad company and I hope they go away soon.

So women are screwed....we can't carry on our toiletry bag with all of our lotions and potions and now we can't check it without paying $25!! So we have to pack it in with our clothes and pray our shampoo and lotion bottles don't explode over our clothes!! This is America still correct??

Just because someone is obese is not a reason to charge them extra. Sounds pretty discriminating to me... Thats like saying that any nationality not caucasian should be charged extra, come on people wake up. Shelly

Skinny people are always angry and blaming someone else for their problems. I think it has something to do with their lack of food. In this case though it's fat people. Do you think if fat people didn't fly you wouldn't be charged the $25. If they charge an extra $50 dollars we could get some bigger seats and we wouldn't have to sit next to people who are so angry. I'd pay for that.

Where is my HIGH SPEED train? If I can get there in one day I would gladly take a train.
The problem here in the states is that the average worker only gets 2 weeks of vacation in a year so no one wants to spend 2 or 3 days each way on a train. We need more weeks of vacation... and we need more trains. If we had a good train system I would never have to fly again. Imagine all the jobs it would create building and running the system.

I agree with the comment about carry on bags. There are more people with large bags in the overhead that should be checked. This will only get worse with a bag check charge. Maybe more flights will be on time
if they reduce time looking for space in the overhead. Don't even get me started on jackets in the overhead. Dont take it off or put it in your oversized carry on.....

I think Eddy and Karen on on to something. Pilots of small aircraft need to know the weight of passengers and lugage to balance the plane so this could help the small regional commuter pilots. Why not just weigh the passenger and their lugage as they check in and charge for anything over a specific limit. Why should someone get to haul an extra 100 pounds of fat into the passenger compartment (and ooze into my seat space!) but I can't carry an extra 25 pounds of lugage?

This is ridiculous. I only travel about 4/5 short trips per year. Luckily, I don't have extra baggage, but I DO have to WAIT for all of the inconsiderate people taking luggage on the plane so they don't have to stand in line waiting for their luggage. I think people without onboard luggage should always board first and certainly get off first. It drives me crazy waiting for these people. They drag those suitcases from the overhead bin, knocking anyone around them in the head, body, etc. Quit letting people take their luggage on board. It is not fair to those of us who do not and have to wait forever.

I have more of a problem with the people who carry everything on the plane and then take up all the overhead room. Those of us with only 1 carryon may not be able to get it in the bin because they take 2 spots with the suitcase and briefcase. If they must bring on 2 bags, put 1 under their seat.

I would be happy to pay an additional $25.00 under one condition, that the airline guarantee that they will not lose my luggage. Having lost a bag which was filled with my favorite belongings, (which have never been found) I would glady pay. But if they cannot guarantee the safety of my belongs why should I pay more under any circumstances. For the amount of todays flights they should guarantee my baggage arrives safely and that the plane arrives on time.

A group of 40 people go every year to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip. Every bag (2 per person) is packed to the 50 pound limit with clothing, shoes, medicine and things for the needy in the DR. If there is a $25.00 fee for the second bag the airlines will get an additional $1000 that could have been used toward building projects, food and other necessities. In a addition when the group flys home almost every bag is empty. Will they get a refund?

I use to fly United when I went on vacation, but now I won't. I usually take my golf clubs with me which means I would have to choose between the clubs or a bag of clothes, or pay the add on fee.
Bye bye United.

.....Flight Delays, TSA long lines, Costly pricing, and now more money for extra luggage...I don't think so, we will book our Company travel on other Airlines rather than pay extra to United.....

I think some of the comments are really ignorant. I'm not 75lbs. overweight but I take offense to the comments of charging extra for passengers weight rather than luggage, I could understand if extra seating is required but that is a different issue. Also some people do overpack but for some people who will be on their trip for more than just a few days or maybe taking gifts to family, they may need a second suitcase. So it is not fair to say "just pack lighter" because that may not be possible, and prices of flights have already risen while the amenities are constantly decreasing so paying an additional fee for a second checked bag is just another way to get more money out of passengers while offering declining service. If United is the only airline doing this, then I would just fly a different airline.

This is just a sneaky way to make extra bucks that will repel most flyers - even those without extra baggage. Unless the rest of the industry follows suit and leaves us travellers without a choice (which I think is likely), we should all fly elsewhere. Oh yeah - its also getting tough to cash your airmiles so its easier to say goodbye now.

Sorry for the second post, but the skinny-fat debate is threatening to get out of hand. I am really skinny by the way and things would work to my advantage with the "total-weight" rule here. I thinks its very repulsive that I would be discriminated against because I was fat. Treating me like a person is one thing, treating me like extra baggage violates the complete nature of equality that we should stand for.

My husband works for United and he is in agreement that passengers are going to be very irate about this new charge. My feeling is that the general public does NOT understand how much the airlines are hurting for money. Sooner or later the airlines must do something to compensate for the extra fuel charges and for those people that feel the need to bring their whole house with them on the plane!

My 2 daughters are competitive figure skaters and we travel often domestically for competitions. Aside from all the dresses that take one bag extra for each girl, the skates take another bag extra for each. I guess now for them to both skate we will have to pay $100 extra everytime we travel. Well guess what! That is not going to happen. I will find another airline. If we all stick together and stop bashing each other for weight etc. we as a people can make a change.

I will simply buy a large capacity bag to supplant my 2 smaller bags. Note to luggage manufacturer - start up thatlarge bag production line.

When I travel for business, I frequently must pack Safety Equipment (Hard Hat, Steel Toed Shoes, etc) which is of a bulky nature and will not fit in a regular suitcase. A grip style bag used exclusively for this prupose is necessary. Along with my regular checked bag carrying my clothing, well, there's the $25.00. Having flown United where anything from late flights and mechanical problems (they honestly couldn't get the aircraft door open to let us out!!) have caused missed connections, and "Customer Service" people that didn't care and didn't listen, I can honestly say that I won't fly United again anyway. When long lines, cramped seating, and delayed or cancelled flights take up most of your comfort and traveling day anyway, I have vowed to drive to any location that takes 10 hrs or less driving time. It seems that United has heaped a charge onto the people who can least afford it, families with children traveling on vacation. Shame on them.

Add this to the increasing list of "no customer service" or "bad service" issues with airlines. I have been flying for 47 years and used to enjoy it. Not so much anymore. We use airlines only for business travel. We now drive when we take a domestic vacation and don't even consider checking to find alternative cost of using an airlines for personal trips. Sad.

I've decided a while back that I"m shipping my clothes prior to leaving....a hassle and it's not cheap - so I guess I'm paying now, aren't I? So now we pay for lousy food, lousy service, lost luggage, and now for a second bag! Oh, next well pay for the oxygen mask - 5 bucks more. Boy, do I love flying those "friendly skys"!!

I think that limiting customers to 1 bag is only going to add to the carry on luggage. It is hard enough to find any spot now for it. The airlines don't really inforce that size of the carry on now. I have seen people carry on a suit case, then since there is no room for it above them, they are putting it where they can find a spot and then you get on, there is no room for your carry on. What ever happened to customer satisfaction?