AIRLINE INDUSTRY Fees increase cost of flying

Travel agents are also feeling the effects of changes in the airline industry.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- Just as travelers got used to arriving as much as two hours before their flights, now they are learning to look for hidden fees.
In an effort to recoup losses suffered as a result of the decline in airline travel since last September, airlines are looking to cut costs and increase revenue whenever and wherever possible. That means those willing to brave the friendly skies are finding fewer flights, but paying extra for everything from paper tickets to overweight luggage.
And it's not just customers who are feeling the brunt of the changes, said local travel agents.
"They are making it tough on small travel agencies like ours," said Liz Lopez, owner/operator of All Around Travel on McCartney Road. "They cut our commissions off completely around March last year, so they are not just charging the customers now, but us too."
Previously, airlines paid a 5 percent commission to travel agents who booked flights for customers, Lopez said. In her case, she would not charge a service fee to people who booked through her agency; instead, she relied on the commission to make her share. But now, with the commissions gone, she must either forgo making money or pass the costs on to clients.
Paying for changes
Shawn Black, a travel agent with Progressive Travel Service on Belmont Avenue, said some of the biggest complaints he hears come from customers who might be forced to change travel plans at the last minute.
Since last September, airlines have been cracking down on those who miss flights, by forcing them to forfeit the entire cost of the ticket instead of issuing a refund or providing an alternative flight.
"The airlines want people to cancel with enough notice so they can resell that ticket," Black said.
Before, he said, the agency booking the flight would eat the costs, but now customers are being forced to do the same.
"They had always stuck it to the travel agencies, but now they are sticking it to the regular passengers, too," he said.
Other cost-cutting measures on the parts of airlines include reducing the number of flights each day, and stopping service on unprofitable routes altogether, Black said.
US Airways, just weeks after announcing its plans for reorganization under bankruptcy claims, said it was cutting out 300 flights, including 36 nonstop flights. The Pittsburgh-Fort Myers, Fla., route was one of those dropped by the airline.
Not unexpected
"We expected that," Black said. "I came into the office about three weeks ago and had a list of 85 schedule changes. It's one of the first things you expect when they announce major cutbacks."
Cuts at smaller airports make a difference, too, he said. Many senior citizen clients are upset about the loss of commuter planes that left the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport for major airports such as Cleveland Hopkins International and Pittsburgh International.
Though it's not a major distance to drive, the convenience of the local commuter planes was a popular attraction, he said.
Travelers who are able to find a flight and are able to make it to the airport are still finding themselves paying extra fees for services that previously were a part of the package.
Airlines are starting to step up restrictions on the number, size and weight of checked and carry-on baggage. Some unsuspecting or unaware passengers don't even find out about the charges until it's too late.
Going over the limit
A standard throughout the industry is that passengers are allowed two bags checked for free, one carry-on piece and one "personal item." Purses, laptop computers, briefcases, diaper bags and similar items are defined as a "personal item" by most airlines.
But if you exceed the number of allowed pieces, or if the baggage is excessive in size or weight -- each airline sets its own rules for how many inches and pounds a bag can be -- then you could start shelling out big bucks.
Morris Howard, a customer service representative with Delta Airlines, said the fee for a third checked bag is $40, and additional bags can be charged up to $80 per piece.
Delta's policy, however, is that if a passenger is forced to check a bag at the gate because of space restrictions, a fee will not be assessed.
"We would do a gate check for free," he said. "If you made it to the gate, but were forced to check the bag because the plane was full, we would not charge, because that wouldn't be your fault."
Every airline will charge some amount for extra, overweight or oversized luggage, but it varies from airline to airline. American Airlines, for example, charges $80 per piece for the first three additional pieces, $105 per piece for the fourth through the sixth pieces, and $180 per piece for the seventh and all subsequent pieces.
Other airlines will assess a fee based on either how much overweight or oversized a bag is, or on where the luggage is going to.
Security checks
But perhaps the biggest change travelers have witnessed in the past year are more security checks. Though it's a good idea, it's not always executed in the best ways, said Lopez.
Lopez said she has experienced firsthand some of the inconveniences and problems of security checkpoints. When she recently flew as part of a cruise package, each of her bags was checked, as was every bit of her clothing and even her shoes.
"I get a lot of complaints -- and this even happened to me -- of people having their luggage opened and checked when they are not there, which airlines are not supposed to do," she said.
"The airlines need to be a little more tactful when they have those checks," she said. "Of course we all want safety, but we also want to travel and get treated with a little respect and dignity."
slshaulis@vindy.com