American Airlines: I'll Never Fly Again!

[Hopeful]

American Airlines is charging me $25 for the 1st checked bag & $35 for the 2nd bag per person each way....ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? So if my wife and I each check one bag it will cost us $100, just for our BAGS! It's not enough that American Airlines is charging us to fly with them; now they are making our bags buy a ticket too! Do I have to pay extra if I have to go to the bathroom on the airplane too? How about if I talk on the airplane...do you charge for that too?? I'll never fly with them again. American Airlines, you suck! Next time it's SOUTHWEST for me!

Does anyone else find it strange that this guy pens a compllaint letter about AA on a forum instead of writing Arpey directly? Does he not have a clue that anyone who posts here has absolutely no control whatsoever about AA's pricing policy?

 

[MCI transplant]

<_< ------- See!----- I told you you came to the wrong place! If you're still not satisfied with the response you got here, I suggest you write our CEO Garald Arpy a letter. I'm sure he would be more sympathetic!

 

[Frank Szabo]

American Airlines is charging me $25 for the 1st checked bag & $35 for the 2nd bag per person each way....ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? So if my wife and I each check one bag it will cost us $100, just for our BAGS! It's not enough that American Airlines is charging us to fly with them; now they are making our bags buy a ticket too! Do I have to pay extra if I have to go to the bathroom on the airplane too? How about if I talk on the airplane...do you charge for that too?? I'll never fly with them again. American Airlines, you suck! Next time it's SOUTHWEST for me!

The simple fact is your letter is in the wrong forum. Unfortunately, the proper forum is ignored by AA's (mis)management. Even if management did read this forum, you are one of a million potential customers - they simply don't care about one person as catering to you or others with the same valid complaint is not quantifiable on a balance sheet.

As far as not flying AA, you've chosen wisely, for reasons I'll not address here. I work for American and I refuse to board any of their aircraft for a flight regardless of whether it's free, low cost, or even if they'd pay me to do so, nor will I allow the family to do so.

Reacquaint yourself with the lower-key pleasure like driving or taking a train - you may even be able to cut the amount of blood pressure medicine you take.

 

[ozcobber]

A passenger once wrote a similar "I'll never fly Southwest again" letter to Herb Kelleher. He wrote an nice letter back along the lines of "We're sorry you weren't happy with your Southwest experience. We'll miss you". He never begged.

 

[FA Mikey]

How do you escape fee's? I bought a new car and they had a charge for every little thing. I am not sure how they were going to see me leave with out the tire package on the vehicle. Hidden charges are every where, been to the DR office and seen an invoice. there is the nurse fee, the injection fee the needle disposal fee.

This guy would pass out if he flew spirit or ryan air.

 

[WorldTraveler]

Dear Gruntled,
AA.com clearly states when booking reservations that additional taxes and fees will apply DURING fare shopping.
If you select an itinerary and continue through to booking, you will get a complete price breakdown along with an advisory that additional baggage charges apply.

AA.com is not the only network airline that has this type of disclosure. Not sure why you find it a surprise.

Fare Summary ?
Average Fare per Person: Departure - 129.00 USD Return - 129.00 USD
Passenger Type Used in Pricing Adult
Departure Fare per Person 129.00 USD
Return Fare per Person 129.00 USD
Total Fare per Person 258.00 USD
Additional Taxes and Fees per Person * 21.40 USD
Total Price 279.40 USD
View Fare Rules.
Flights not on American Airlines, American Eagle, or AmericanConnection® are on a request basis only. Fares and
availability are subject to change.
In order to comply with federal security regulations, we may provide government agencies access to data
you disclose to us. For more information, view our Privacy Policy.
* Foreign taxes based on itinerary or non-U.S. billing address may apply. Additional Fees, such as checked baggage charges, may apply.

 

[Skymess]

American Airlines is charging me $25 for the 1st checked bag & $35 for the 2nd bag per person each way....ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? So if my wife and I each check one bag it will cost us $100, just for our BAGS! It's not enough that American Airlines is charging us to fly with them; now they are making our bags buy a ticket too! Do I have to pay extra if I have to go to the bathroom on the airplane too? How about if I talk on the airplane...do you charge for that too?? I'll never fly with them again. American Airlines, you suck! Next time it's SOUTHWEST for me!

In many cases Southwest's fares are higher than AAs. You just should have done your shopping more wisely. Next time you will know. It is kind of like shopping on ebay and getting the item you were looking for at a lower price than the other listings but paying a zillion dollars more in shipping.

 

[PhatSappy]

It is all Bush's fault.

 

[MCI transplant]

-------- Right?

 

[PhatSappy]

Looks like a great time to sell some 777s to SWA. Think they won't change to a long hauler?

 

[FrequentFlierCA]

How about this: you pay the airline what it actually costs to fly you plus say 10% margin for their profit. Then your bags are free.

I wonder which one is a better deal?

 

[Hopeful]

Looks like a great time to sell some 777s to SWA. Think they won't change to a long hauler?

They announced an order for their new long haul aircraft...737-900.....You think that compares to a 777? Or even a 767 for that matter?
Are you ready to fly cattle car to Europe in a 737 all coach config?

The only reason people like this guy write letters complaining about fees and service, etc., is because they think the CEO is going to give them a free trip some where.
Where has this guy been hiding? Most airline profits now are coming from these fees.

 

[IORFA]

737-900's? I think you mean 737-800's.

 

[Hopeful]

737-900's? I think you mean 737-800's.

Ooops..you are correct.....800s.

 

[PHL]

I think you've all scared Gruntled away after just 1 post!

Clearly, he's not a very frequent traveler. Or, maybe he just hasn't flown a US carrier other than SWA in about 3 years when the bag fees started becoming the norm.

But I don't think it's fair to blame him, or any customer, for your personal financial hardships that have come about from airline cost cutting. I'm sure there's a few of you who shop at WalMart which is notorious for undercutting the local competition and putting others out of business. That equates to lost jobs and financial hardships. Do you feel responsible for those people if you're buying at WalMart for the best price?

We're all consumers, and we all want the best deal. Very few of us consider the employees who provide the cheap service because....wait for it...they aren't forced to work there. A lot of airline employees have moved onto greener pastures and have written about those experiences here. Why aren't you one of those people?

That being said, I have no sympathy for the OP, Gruntled. Maybe SWA doesn't fly where he wanted to go because I can't think of any other reason he would have chosen a legacy carrier with very well published fees.