AA to Charge for our FIRST Bag, Too

From the American Airlines website: "We are dedicated to making every flight you take with us something special."

Well done, Sparky. Your announcement yesterday that you will be charging for EVERY bag certainly qualifies. And, I bet your gate agents are just as excited as they await the shit-storm of abuse they'll be getting starting June 15th.

AA CEO Gerard J. Arpey said he expects the new fees will raise several hundred million dollars, but that was the best estimate he would give. Why? Cause you haven't thought this through? Cause you don't want somebody to challenge your math? Cause you think we're stupid enough to believe you?

He went on to say that the fees are "an effort to get customers to pay for services they want."

Or that they expect.

Of course, I expect this kind of business acumen from these guys. But what are you gonna do with all those pretty signs you printed in March. Or yeah, print corrective stickers to go over the "First Bag Free" message.

Sad.

Comments

[Joe Buhler]

Here's the appropriate quote from today's NY Times

"I’m constantly surprised at the creativity in the wrong direction of airline management."
CLAES G. FORNELL, a professor of business administration at the University of Michigan.